John Lithgow’s new drama, Jimpa, seeks to broaden viewers’ awareness and acceptance of diverse identities through its focus on queerness and parenthood. The film premiered on February 1, 2026, at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in the Netherlands, showcasing its hopeful message in a global setting.
A Story Rooted in Queerness and Family Bonds
In Jimpa, Lithgow portrays Jim, who prefers to be called Jimpa rather than grandpa, a man who left his family to embrace a free, gay life in Amsterdam. The film centers on a visit from his daughter Hannah, played by Olivia Colman, her non-binary teenager Frances, portrayed by Aud Mason-Hyde, and Hannah’s husband, brought to life by Daniel Henshall. During their visit, Jimpa encourages Frances to delve into Amsterdam’s queer culture, where she encounters characters played by Zoe Love Smith, Hans Kesting, and Romana Vrede.
Exploring Empathy Through Personal Narratives
Jimpa draws inspiration from director Sophie Hyde’s own father, a gay activist whose life deeply influenced the film’s themes. Lithgow emphasized the character’s complexity, saying,
“Jimpa himself is a character who can be unwittingly cruel and thoughtless, but at heart, he’s such a dear man.”
He highlighted the film’s focus on kindness and empathy during a time marked by cruelty and misuse of power.
Reflecting on his career, Lithgow remarked during the festival’s Big Talk: A Queen Family Affair session,
“I’ve had a long career, and I’ve done a lot of jobs, and there have only been five or six that were everything I had hoped for, just in terms of [me being] so proud to be in this film.”
Collaboration and Cultural Exchange on Set
Lithgow praised his co-star Olivia Colman for her emotional depth and range:
“She has such access to her emotional life.”
He also expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Dutch locals and the Australian film crew, sharing,
“All of us shared the same excitement. … The entire experience was such a party.”
Dutch actress Romana Vrede appreciated working alongside Colman and Lithgow, noting their genuine humility and gratitude:
“They were just humble and grateful about working with us.”
Honoring Personal Stories Behind the Film
Producer Marleen Slot described Jimpa as a film fundamentally about connection. Sophie Hyde revealed personal reflections on her father, who was diagnosed with HIV and died when Aud Mason-Hyde, her child, was only 12. Hyde expressed a wish that her father and child could have openly shared their stories and identities, highlighting the importance of such dialogue in the film’s narrative.
