Met Huid en Haar
JP Geersing
" Yet, the neediness of the music in context and the ingredients of the soft sonical world appeal to the emotional essence. "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the music as heard in the movie
Met huid en haar (Still by my side, 2026) is a short Dutch documentary conceptualised and directed by Jasper van Leeningen. It is loveable in capturing the heart of the subject: how humans feel their devoted love for their deceased animals can live on through the art of taxidermy.
The music was composed by JP (Jan Pieter) Geersing. It is a tranquil score, withholding a very commodious sound design approach, with live instruments – the bass clarinet in its suggestive, amiable phases – and electronics in a hybrid form. The music addresses the mixed feelings of warmth and sadness really well.
Despite this, several elements, such as the dramatic progression, are rudimentary and recall the gauche and dishonesty found in corporate and even non-profit commercials. Yet, the neediness of the music in context and the ingredients of the soft sonical world appeal to the emotional essence.
(30-10-2026)