Illustration for the boek Oude Stad Nieuwe Ogen. The book compiles 13 stories by 13 women with a migration background. Each story of the book has its own illustration. This one was made for Giuilia Guerra and her beautiful kroniek about cinema in Antwerp. 

This piece was created for Giulia’s captivating story, “Mijn herontdekking van de cinema in Antwerpen” part of the book Oude stad, Nieuwe Ogen. In her narrative, we travel back to the 30s and 60s, where Giulia beautifully intertwines the history of Antwerp’s cinemas with the lives of the people who filled them. It’s not just about the iconic buildings and their role in the city, but also about the spectators, the films, and the lasting impact they had on Antwerp’s culture. For Giulia and her family, a trip to the cinema was always an adventure. And how could it not be? The smell of the theatre, the anticipation, the magic of the film about to unfold.

“…en na de film leek het alsof de andere kijkers in de zaal en ik een paar uur lang een geheim hadden gedeeld.”
“…after the movie, it felt as if the other viewers and I had shared a secret for a few hours.”

This story isn’t just a walk through history; it’s a reminder of the timeless connection between today’s moviegoers and those of the past. That’s why I chose to illustrate Giulia in her own story — she is both the spectator and the storyteller, guiding us through time.

Sinds mijn verhuizing naar Antwerpen was de bioscoop voor mij een warme plek waar ik me weer thuis kon voelen. Dit verbinding intrigeerde me genoeg om de oorsprong van de bioscopen in Antwerpen te onderzoeken. Ik was benieuwd welke rol de cinema in het verleden speelde. Zijn er tradities die nog steeds levend zijn of zijn die grotendeels verloren of veranderd? Hoe moeten we ons vandaag de dag verhouden tot de toeschouwers van vroeger?