Willem Thijssen (76) remembers well how he deliberately did not write a speech or acceptance speech when he went to Los Angeles in 1986 as one of the nominees for an Oscar. He had a chance to win the prize for ‘best animated short film’ for his film A Greek tragedy (1985), regarding three Greek statues of women who, like pillars, try to keep a temple upright.
“Writing a speech felt a bit like asking the gods,” Thijssen says now, 38 years later. “I thought: I probably won’t win.”
Moreover, it was a popular film Luxor jr. from Pixar, also nominated in the same category that year. “Pixar was already so big back then. We didn’t stand a chance, we thought, we were never going to make it. But being there was already an experience. Then you stroll around there beforehand, have a drink, see all those acquaintances you know. then won’t join in the conversation, because yes, they are already surrounded by a large group of people.”
From row 10
He won. Thijssen’s name was mentioned. And so the Brabander, ‘completely overwhelmed’, dressed in a smart suit, went from row 10 to the podium. Where actor Tom Hanks presented him with the statue. “The first thing I thought was: what am I going to say now?!”
Because yes: there was no note with a speech in the pocket of his jacket, so he had to improvise. “Or you might say: stammering. I was standing there with my co-producer Nicole. She had prepared something, but actually mightn’t get the words out properly either. Whether you prepare or not: the entire film world, and many people outside of it, , looking at you at that moment. That’s so crazy.”
The video below shows how cameraman Hoyte van Hoytema did that last night:
The residents of his then Brabant municipality of Bakel and Milheeze also followed the ceremony, albeit in a summarized form, a day later, ‘at that time it was not yet broadcast live’. “I received so many cards, messages, phone calls, congratulations, interview requests from newspapers and TV programs. It’s a storm, a lot is coming your way. Although I think it’s all even bigger now.”
At the time, Thijssen was the fifth Dutchman ever to win the coveted film prize. Hoyte van Hoytema is now the eleventh (see box below).
That time, that prize, that presentation: you will never forget something like that, Thijssen emphasizes several times. “Being nominated is such an honor, and such a huge surprise. And yes, then you say a few words, you stutter, thank everyone, the director, you hope you don’t miss anyone at such a moment, and you walks away once more with that statue in your hands.”
Heavier than you think
That statue, ‘heavier than you think’, has been on his cupboard in his living room in Antwerp, where he now lives, for almost forty years. Among other prizes, ‘but this is the most special’. “There are always people who, when they visit, want to have their picture taken with it.”
Seven statues
Director Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer became the big winner at last night’s Oscar ceremony. The drama regarding the Manhattan Project, which developed the first atomic bomb, won seven statuettes, including the prize for best film. Dutch cameraman Hoyte van Hoytema also won prizes for Oppenheimer, because of his camera work. The film also won the prizes for best music and best editing. Watch the trailer here.
In 1999, Thijssen was nominated for the second time, for the film 3 Misses, but then he didn’t win. “That was a nice experience, because that film was a co-production with Canada, and those filmmakers there were quite impressive. We arrived there in a limousine, my daughter came along, she also thought it was fantastic. We just didn’t win. “
Not winning is a shame, but not the same as losing. “If you are nominated, it already gives you so much recognition.” Yet Thijssen had to admit: winning an Oscar is a career boost. “New doors will open for you. Not in other genres, by the way: I also produce documentaries and feature films. In that world, an Oscar for a short animated film means less than in the animation world. But still: that title, Oscarwinnersticks to you.”
The second
A year later, in 2000, Thijssen won his second Oscar for the also short animated film Father and daughter. Director Michael Dudok de Wit received that award. “We didn’t have a limousine then,” he laughs, “I just had a rental car, just like the first time.”
But that rental car also stopped in front of the red carpet in Los Angeles, and Thijssen had, ‘I remember it well’, to hand over his car keys to a driver who would drive his car to a parking lot. “So chic. Like a movie.”
