Nature Us

Nature Us began with a conversation. Its founder, Sandra Ploeg, approached me with an ambitious idea: to help reconnect Dutch people with Dutch nature through a shared sense of wonder. A year later, after securing funding, we set out to create an experimental nature film that would immerse audiences in the richness and diversity of landscapes across the Netherlands.

Rather than documenting nature from a distance, the film invites viewers into it. Moving between wetlands, forests, coastlines, and grasslands, it creates a sensory journey through the country’s ecosystems and wildlife. My role as filmmaker was to develop a visual language that could evoke curiosity, intimacy, and a renewed appreciation for the natural world.

Working closely with a composer, we crafted a bespoke score that deepened the film’s immersive quality. The project soon expanded beyond a single-screen experience. In collaboration with ShowDesign, we developed a series of custom LED screen installations that transformed the film into a site-specific exhibition, adapting to festivals and venues across the Netherlands.

The photographs and videos on this page document the many forms the project has taken throughout its journey. Together, they reflect an ongoing effort to create meaningful encounters between people and the natural landscapes they call home.


Credits
Project Lead: Sandra Ploeg
Producer: Sandra Ploeg
Cinematographer: Liam McClain
Editor: Liam McClain
Colorist: Liam McClain
Composer: Freek Mol