Emma Buysse

Matthias is going on a weekend course of self-discovery called “My Value on Earth,” which was an expensive gift from his girlfriend. The course is supposed to help him deal with his chronic inability to finish things that he’s started. But before Matthias leaves, his girlfriend springs a surprise on him: he’s going to be a father. And so he hopes to use the weekend, which he has no real desire to go on, to answer new and pressing questions. The “alternative” therapist, however, doesn’t inspire much trust. The tragicomedy Frantic Attempts takes aim at the field of personal development, in particular, dubious therapists who offer quick fixes. After all, what if we should answer our existential questions ourselves instead of trying to find answers from others?

A public prosecutor in The Hague, and a detective at the Dutch Revenue Service FIOD, follow money trails and investigate hit jobs in search of criminals.

Nora produces a podcast about hidden love stories—ranging from forbidden workplace romances to desires that clash with identity, family, and self-image. She helps others bring their clandestine romances out into the open, sometimes with far-reaching consequences. And Nora herself? She is, in a way, one of those secret loves—making the podcast, in essence, a quest of her own.