This film explores the semiotic relationship between word and image; starting point is the notion that ambitious amateurs often add 'relevant details' for extra visual appeal. As they tend to visualise their intentions quite literally, this often leads to absurd interpretations.
The film “Dear Gerald” is conceived as a response to an online review of one of the home movies from Jasper Rigoles IICADOM archive. This archive is created by the filmmaker as an attempt to preserve orphaned films sourced from flea markets in and around Belgium. The film starts as a reflection on the medium of the home movie and the nature of the archive but slowly reveals problematic side effects of publishing private images. In that sense the film raises questions on authorship and consent in an online environment.
