Frans van de Staak (1943-2001) studied at the Netherlands Film Academy from 1963 on. He financed his first films usually from his own savings for his work as a graphics artist. His films can be characterised by a consistent investigation of (cinematographic) space, time, language, images and movement in their mutual relations. His first full-feature, The Imperfect Tulip, was completed by Van de Staak in 1980. He is also producer and cutter for other filmmakers.