Maurice Seleky (Utrecht, 1982) is a PR & communications consultant, lawyer and writer. In 2010 his debut novel Ego Faber came out in The Netherlands and Belgium at Ambo-Anthos Publishers, for which he received the BoArte Cultuurprijs in 2011. As an author Seleky performed at Lowlands, Crossing Border and Manuscripta. He’s also the organiser of the Jonge Schrijversavond with its last edition in the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam in October 2011. (portrait Maurice by Merlijn Doomernik)

I feel greatly honoured to share this with you. Some very gifted people and great works of art that inspired me. Enjoy.

Maurice

Lost in Translation
One of the most beautiful films of the last decade. The sad story of two Americans who meet in a luxurious hotel in Tokyo, only to discover they’re soulmates and on the crossroads of their lives. Great acting by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, directed subtle, but brilliantly by Sophia Coppola. Amazing film about longing.

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RVDA
There are a lot of good photographers in Amsterdam, but Reinier van der Aart, also known as ‘RVDA’, is especially worth mentioning, because somehow he captures the best of the people he portrayes.

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Robijn Black Velvet
For a man who mostly wears black, Robijn Black Velvet detergent is a real lifesaver.

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PIET
Dutch band of songwriters Fen Verstappen and Moos Lamerus. PIET debuted in 2011 with the record Spaak, an album filled with songs that are both cheerful and melancholic at the same time. When you get the chance to see them live, see them live.

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The Great Gatsby
Classic novel from 1925 about love, ambition and hope by novelist Francis Scott Fitzgerald. This book focuses on the tragic history of Jay Gatsby who doesn’t succeed in fulfilling his version of the American Dream, but will be always remembered as a man with ‘an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again’.

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Commedesleroi.com
Inspiring lifestyle blog of my friend and former colleague Leroy Aznam. Keeps you updated about the latest news of the hip & happening from an insider’s point of view. (portrait Leroy by RVDA)

Futura
Definitely my favorite typeface of all time. Very simple, but a design classic with all the elements a good typeface needs. Geometric, sans-serif, designed by Paul Renner in 1927. Used by film director Wes Anderson in films as The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Darjeeling Limited.

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Theo van Doesburg
Very influential Dutch artist, founder of De Stijl and one of the greatest ambassadors of abstract art of the 20^th century. Active as a painter, architect, poet and writer – in my view a true ‘homo universalis’. I admire him for his passion, vision and drive, for me he is a great inspiration.

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Mad Men
Compelling American television series created by Matthew Weiner. Set in the 1960s, the series give an insight of the world of a New York based ad agency and the lives of its employees. A drama centered around the enigmatic Don Draper, a man of mystery and great creative talent, Mad Men is also the story of important political, economic and social change – and underneath it all, the rise of our present consumer society.

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Roald Triebels
Graphic designer with a knack for catching book covers. Responsible for the award winning cover of the Dutch version of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, Het Diner by Herman Koch and also for the cover of my own debut novel Ego Faber.