Why are we empathetic towards some and indifferent, or cruel towards others? Why do we pick up one refugee in our own car and let another freeze to death on the borders of Europe? What mechanisms lie behind this? Who is on top of our empathy ladder when making life-or-death decisions? Are empathy and xenophobia different sides of the same coin?

Based on interviews with scientists and experienced experts, experiments and image analysis, I look for the answers.

How do we view ‘the other’? How does their pain affect us? How do we decide who to help? Is it our biology, evolution or brain that determines how we respond? And what is the influence of the continuous stream of images that inundate us every day? Images that constantly compete for our attention. Images that manipulate us. Should we let empathy be our only guideline in deciding who to help?

Short documentary, 28’33”

Selected for the Debut Competition of the 43rd edition of the Dutch Film Festival (NFF)

Winner 1st prize for Storytelling, De Zilveren Camera