Biography

Producer Emjay Rechsteiner went to film school in New York and holds degrees in History and Communications from the University of Amsterdam. He obtained the International Diploma of Advertising and attended the Media Business School and Binger Film Institute. Emjay presided over the jury of the Netherlands Film Festival, was Dean of the Amsterdam Film School, lectures at film schools and universities worldwide and acts as curator (EYE Filmmuseum, Marinemuseum) and coach/consultant.

Rechsteiner produced or co-produced 20 award winning feature length fiction films (premiering at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Rotterdam); 8 cinema documentaries (IDFA); 2 prize-winning educational films; countless shorts and commercials and 1 record album. 'The Devil's Double' (with James Bond-director Lee Tamahori, budget EUR 16m) broke the international sales record for a Benelux production. The film was distributed worldwide by Lionsgate, Icon and Netflix.

Other features include Oscar-entry 'Pauline & Paulette' (audience award Cannes), 'Moonlight' (best European film Hollywood Film Festival), Carice van Houten's debut 'Suzy Q' and 'Buenos Airea Vice Versa'. Documentaries include 'Signs of Life' and 'The Terrestrials' (on Timothy Leary).

Most films were financed as co-productions with a number of European countries using a mix of public and private sources. Shooting took place in Europe, US, South America, Israel and India. Emjay has a special connection with Suriname.