Achter de Deur
Roy Bemelmans
" The short film and its music lay in traditions of magic realism, using commonplace elements, while both cover an array of emotions and ideas that are still incredibly memorable. "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the regular release
Achter de Deur (Behind the Door) is a 2025 Dutch short film directed by Justus van den Elsen. It stars Walter Sheenan, Derek de Lint and Sanne Vogel and includes an original score by Roy Bemelmans.
The composer wrote a score using a modern sound design mixed with celesta, piano, and wondrous, yet melancholic, strings.
In the beginning, we quickly learn about the drawing skills of a young boy named Joris, travelling with his mother to see his dying grandfather, utilising a wonderful main theme. The music captures the fantasy and slightly melancholic feel in how his mother talks about the grandfather. As they arrive at the grandfather's house, there is a slight hint of unexplained doubt, even eeriness, in the music. As the boy enters the house, looking at the paintings, and meets the grandfather – underscored by an effective celesta – the music changes to a more lyrical, yet restrained, musical environment, capturing the imaginative as the boy enters a realm in which the grandfather teaches him how to see perspective in drawing. Just when the boy, caught between his admiration and imaginative learning curve in drawing through his grandfather's world, experiences doubts, strengthened by flashbacks of his mother's and grandfather's relationship, it becomes slightly disconcerting and even more melancholic in its use of music.
The short film and its music lay in traditions of magic realism, using commonplace elements, while both cover an array of emotions and ideas that are still incredibly memorable.
In addition to streaming platforms, the album is available as a free FLAC download or limited run CD. Bemelmans has also published a studio/music/behind-the-scenes video, with him playing piano and Didderen the cello, based on the main theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brZWNuknlDE
Quote from the composer:
''I found it exciting to be part of a film world where anything seems possible, where the ‘real world’ and ‘fantasy world’ are equally important. This makes the film exciting to watch and the music freer.''
Tracklist
1. Behind the Door Theme3:54
2. Magical Perspective 3:11
3. Joris Sees the Paintings 1:32
4. Drawing Lessons 2:01
5. You Cannot Leave 1:50
6. I Believe in You 1:29
7. Shall We Go? 1:30
8. Behind the Door Theme (piano version) 3:37
(25-11-2025)
The composer wrote a score using a modern sound design mixed with celesta, piano, and wondrous, yet melancholic, strings.
In the beginning, we quickly learn about the drawing skills of a young boy named Joris, travelling with his mother to see his dying grandfather, utilising a wonderful main theme. The music captures the fantasy and slightly melancholic feel in how his mother talks about the grandfather. As they arrive at the grandfather's house, there is a slight hint of unexplained doubt, even eeriness, in the music. As the boy enters the house, looking at the paintings, and meets the grandfather – underscored by an effective celesta – the music changes to a more lyrical, yet restrained, musical environment, capturing the imaginative as the boy enters a realm in which the grandfather teaches him how to see perspective in drawing. Just when the boy, caught between his admiration and imaginative learning curve in drawing through his grandfather's world, experiences doubts, strengthened by flashbacks of his mother's and grandfather's relationship, it becomes slightly disconcerting and even more melancholic in its use of music.
The short film and its music lay in traditions of magic realism, using commonplace elements, while both cover an array of emotions and ideas that are still incredibly memorable.
In addition to streaming platforms, the album is available as a free FLAC download or limited run CD. Bemelmans has also published a studio/music/behind-the-scenes video, with him playing piano and Didderen the cello, based on the main theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brZWNuknlDE
Quote from the composer:
''I found it exciting to be part of a film world where anything seems possible, where the ‘real world’ and ‘fantasy world’ are equally important. This makes the film exciting to watch and the music freer.''
Tracklist
1. Behind the Door Theme3:54
2. Magical Perspective 3:11
3. Joris Sees the Paintings 1:32
4. Drawing Lessons 2:01
5. You Cannot Leave 1:50
6. I Believe in You 1:29
7. Shall We Go? 1:30
8. Behind the Door Theme (piano version) 3:37
(25-11-2025)