Review "SWINGERS"

He shot some scenes in a swingers' club, asked extras to actually engage in intimacy, and created the most thrilling love scene in Dutch film history. All of this because director Stephan Brenninkmeijer (38) once contemplated partner-swapping himself. This is the story of how he crafted the sexiest film of the year for barely €20,000.

The Idea

The idea came on a proverbial rainy afternoon. Stephan Brenninkmeijer, between two projects and with no concrete plans, was chatting with an actor friend whose name he deliberately keeps anonymous. The concept of shooting a "fun film" over a single weekend was born during that conversation.

Stephan explains: "That was the starting point of this project. Naturally, we faced a few constraints. For starters, we had no money. So, we planned to make a film with only a few actors in a single location. Initially, we wanted to create a short film, but as I wrote, I realized there was much more potential. So, I turned it into a feature-length screenplay."

Partner-Swapping

From day one, the theme was set: partner-swapping. Brenninkmeijer was fascinated by the subject and had once seriously considered the idea during a previous relationship. "We explored the idea online, but it never led to anything concrete. We toyed with the concept but didn’t take it further. When the opportunity arose to make a film about it, I delved deeper into the topic."

The original actor left the project early on. "He was initially involved but got cold feet due to the provocative theme and nudity. Essentially, he didn’t want to risk his reputation. The actors we eventually cast were open to the theme and comfortable with nudity."

Research and Real-Life Insights

To prepare the actors, Brenninkmeijer organized a meeting at Joep Sertons' home with two real-life swinging couples. “One couple was the prototype of how things can go wrong—leftover remnants of a failed partner-swapping experience. Their original partners had run off together, leaving them stuck with each other. Initially, they shared enthusiastic stories about swinging, but underlying tension and frustration were palpable. It was tragic.

The other couple was the opposite. They’d been married for years and gave each other plenty of freedom. We immediately felt: this is a couple that can handle it. That night was incredibly enlightening. We learned where things could go wrong and what pitfalls to avoid. I even adjusted the script after that conversation.”

Bold Choices on a Small Budget

The most talked-about scene in Swingers is an eight-minute love scene midway through the story. “A film about swinging without nudity would be hypocritical. You have to show it. But I wanted to juxtapose that with moments of discomfort to create a bittersweet feeling. For example, when Joep steps out of bed and breaks down in the bathroom. Or when Ellen pleasures herself in the swingers' club while her husband lies beside her, disinterested.”

Despite the explicit themes, Brenninkmeijer exercised restraint. “I censored certain overly explicit shots because they would distract from the narrative. Ultimately, it’s more about the drama than the erotica. It’s not a prudish film, but the eroticism serves a purpose."

Making a Film for €20,000

• Location: The film takes place in a luxurious, high-tech villa borrowed from Brenninkmeijer’s wealthy uncle for 11 days.
• Cast: The four actors worked unpaid during the shoot and will only earn a percentage of the box office revenue.
• Equipment: The film was shot on video, a cheaper alternative to 35mm film. Equipment, lighting, and sound were sponsored.
• Deleted Scenes: A forest love scene and additional footage from the swingers' club may feature on the DVD as "deleted scenes."

Reflection

Though Swingers doesn’t aim to break taboos, it might spark conversation. “I didn’t want to pass judgment, like saying swinging is either good or bad. I wanted to show both sides. In a strong relationship, swinging can be enriching, but in a weak one, it’s a breeding ground for jealousy. If this film gets people talking openly about such fantasies, I’ll consider it a success.”

Swingers releases on February 27, 2003.