🎧 Episode #1

ADDICTED • Director: Matthijs van Heijningen

ADDICTED
August 18, 2025

Hi All,

for those who haven’t had the chance to listen yet:
I’m excited to share the very first episode of the ADDICTED series!

Kicking things off is none other than Dutch director Matthijs van Heijningen.

— Andreas

THE INTERVIEW

#1: Director - Matthijs van Heijningen

ADDICTED Series · Episode #1

WHO?

Matthijs van Heijningen (mvheijningen123), the son of a well-known Dutch film producer, grew up immersed in filmmaking—building sets, editing, and learning the craft on his father’s productions. Since 1999, he’s become one of Europe’s most awarded commercial directors, with standout campaigns for clients like Heineken, Toyota, Stella Artois, and Lipton. His work has earned major industry awards, including Clios, Addys, Cannes Lions, and D&AD pencils. In 2003, van Heijningen joined MJZ to bring his distinctive, absurdist humor and cinematic style to U.S. audiences. Known for his collaborative approach and eye for storytelling, Matthijs has a gift for turning even the most outlandish ideas into visually compelling, emotionally resonant stories. His 2010 spot “Closet” for Canal+ won global acclaim, followed by the equally praised “The Bear” in 2011. That same year, he directed his first feature film, The Thing, a prequel to John Carpenter’s cult horror classic.

IMDB
MJZ
Dark Alley Pictures

“Focus on what you think is funny or interesting, that ’s your creativity.
Bring that out. Most likely, others will see it too.”

Q&A (SNEAK PEAK)

Why are you creative?
Creating things is a search for what fascinates me. It’s the exploration that keeps me going.

What’s the book you’ve gifted the most?
Crimes and Punishment from Dostoyevski.

What is something that people don’t know about you?
I am extremely shy in front of an audience.

FAVORITE ADS OF ALL TIME

• Southern Comfort „Whatever‘s Comfortable“ (Tim Godsall)

• Ikea „Lamp“ (Spike Jonze)

• Xbox „Life is short“ (Daniel Kleinmann)

READ THE AKKURAT® Journal

Shop Matthij’s printed AKKURAT® Journal - and read the full interview.