10/10/2025
Not Built to Last is a short film set against the architectural backdrop of Rotterdam, written and directed by Turkish-Dutch architect and filmmaker Deniz Arikan ( ) . The story follows Emre, an architect from Istanbul, and Daniel, a Dutch architect. What begins as a professional meeting gradually turns into something deeply personal.
Today, we’re introducing the talented cast bringing these two lead roles to life.
For the role of Emre, we’ve cast Sidar Toksöz ( ) , known from Het Klokhuis, Zara and the Magical Kicks, and the acclaimed series Mocro Maffia, directed by Giancarlo Sanchez. Sidar recently appeared in Happy Ending, De Poli, Schitterend, and the second season of Swanenburg. He has also been seen in the productions God is a Mother (Toneelgroep Oostpool), The Falling Man (ITA), and The Death of Benny Simons (Orkater), for which he was nominated for a Theo d’Or.
The role of Daniel will be portrayed by Jesse Mensah ( ), who was also nominated for the prestigious Louis d’Or award for Weg met Eddy Bellegueule, recognising the best leading male performance of the season. Jesse was also seen in the play Liefdesziek by Toneelgroep Oostpool. This season, he performs multiple roles at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. In 2023, Jesse played a major role in the highly acclaimed series Dag & Nacht.
Not Built to Last will be a sensitive, stylized, and at times artistic film, set entirely in Rotterdam. It tells an unconventional story about two men navigating their homosexuality in very different ways and how they move through the world around them.
Our financing is nearly complete, but we need your help to bring this final stage to life.
Support us via Voordekunst https://www.voordekunst.nl/projecten/19991-not-built-to-last-korte-film?page=1 -verhaal
Let’s make this project possible together.
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