From the Film Maker...

"...then I am as weak as any other man" is a quote from Samson in the Bible in the story of Samson and Delilah. Even if Delilah betrayed him after he confided in her, he can't help coming back into her arms.

Inspired by the sensual mood of Rubens's 'Samson & Delilah', my film is about a man and his femme fatale. It is about yearning, sorrow and how love can lead to dependency, humiliation and self destruction.

The warm and almost glowing and sensual mood of the painting, the intense skin tones and the shininess of the deep coloured red and purple drapery was a huge inspiration for the set-design and the lighting. The plan was to bring the composition into the present day.

I re-staged the two main actors in a shot similar to the painting. I considered the relationship between Samson & Delilah that Rubens portrayed. I felt strongly about Delilah's hand on Samson's head combined with her gaze. It's expressing sensuality but also almost maternal feelings; at the same time pity triumph and a certain coldness.
Hilmar Lipp