Naked (1993): HEAT presents Vincent Boy Kars

Melkweg and HEAT - an agency representing filmmakers - organize a bimonthly film evening together. Each edition is hosted by a filmmaker from HEAT's roster, who selects a main film that inspires and motivates their own creative work.

This edition is curated by filmmaker Vincent Boy Kars, who builds an evening around Naked (1993) by Mike Leigh. In the film, David Thewlis plays the nihilistic Johnny, a man who wanders through London at night and treats everyone he meets with equal parts intelligence and venom. Naked is an important source of inspiration for Kars's feature film currently in development with actor Jonas Smulders, who also plays the lead role. The inspiration comes from both the content and the working method: Mike Leigh gives actors considerable freedom and develops the script together with them, partly through improvisation - an approach that mirrors how Kars and Smulders work on their own project.

Before and after the screening, Kars will discuss with Smulders the collaboration between director and actor: how Leigh approached it in Naked, and how they are shaping it themselves in their ongoing project.

Note: Melkweg often hosts multiple programmes simultaneously, such as concerts and club nights. Be aware that there may occasionally be noise from other rooms during the screening.