Tammie Zoekt een Vriendje (2026)

Tammie is a disarming person. I thoroughly enjoyed the playful, humane way in which Lize Korpershoek portrayed her search for a meaningful other in 'Tammie Zoekt een Vriendje' (2026). There is also something about the fact that the animations and flashy typography (à la BOOS) contrast with the heavy subjects touched upon in passing. The painful realization that the statistics paint a bleak picture of the willingness of heterosexual men to enter into relationships with women like her. Her negative experiences with previous relationships. The difficulties for Tammie in accepting herself as a trans woman and making room within that to also allow a potential partner in.

I do notice that the portrayal style isn't entirely to my taste. This undoubtedly says more about me than anything else. But in a strange way, 'Tammie zoekt een Vriendje' (2026) is simultaneously open and closed. There is a lot of psychological analysis in settings resembling a therapy session, yet truly painful developments are replaced by animations of her room renovation and app conversations. It is meant to remain lighthearted, after all. Undoubtedly sincere and respectful, but this approach also feels somewhat artificial to me. The complexity of a human being comes to the fore precisely in the moments that truly chafe and hurt.

(If Tammie is reading this: you deserve all the happiness in the world. I hope you find the peace—within yourself or in a relationship—to fully enjoy life. Anja Meulenbelt is a sweetheart. If only we could all look at relationships as down-to-earth as she does. Life is perhaps at its most beautiful when you are content with yourself, because you don't necessarily find happiness in someone else. That doesn't take away from the fact that it is damn nice to love and be loved.)

Translated from Dutch · View original

31-year-old Tammie Schoot allows herself to be filmed by Lize Korpershoek during her search for “a boyfriend.” Tammie is a trans woman and, partly because of this, is insecure about her chances in the dating scene. Tammie and Lize make a point of making it clear that Tammie’s gender identity plays a role, but that is not the case. There is nothing special or interesting about her search, so you can safely dismiss this as the narcissistic, navel-gazing ego-tripping with which many a freelance journalist, opinion maker, podcast creator, and influencer puts themselves in the spotlight. Anja Meulenbelt is the only one who actually has something sensible to say. Thank God this lasts less than an hour!

Translated from Dutch · View original