John Lithgow’s Jimpa Promotes Global Empathy and Tolerance 

John Lithgow and Olivia Colman star in Jimpa, a queer family drama exploring identity and connection.

Lithgow’s Quest for the Empathetic Mirror

Can a single film change the way we look at our own families?

John Lithgow certainly thinks so. At 80 years old, an age where many veterans might lean into comfortable, familiar roles, Lithgow is instead challenging global “consciousness” with Jimpa.

Debuting at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the film is more than just a drama; it is a plea for kindness in what Lithgow calls a “hothouse moment” of world cruelty.

Playing a man who abandons traditional family expectations to pursue a “free, gay life” in Amsterdam, Lithgow is using the screen to build a bridge across generations of queer identity.

The “Jimpa” Transformation 

The story follows Hannah (played by the “amazing” Olivia Colman) and her non-binary teenager, Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde), as they visit the man who has rebranded himself from “Grandpa” to “Jimpa.” 

Lithgow’s character is a study in contradictions. He is a man who can be “unwittingly cruel and thoughtless,” yet remains fundamentally “dear.” It is this nuanced portrayal—a man who chose his own truth over his family’s comfort—that provides the friction at the heart of the film.

A Personal Inheritance 

Director Sophie Hyde didn’t have to look far for inspiration. The film is a deeply personal project, rooted in the life of her own gay activist father, who died of HIV-related complications when Aud was only 12. 

The movie serves as a “what if” scenario. Hyde explores the conversations her father and child never got to have, using Amsterdam’s vibrant queer culture as a playground for a teenager to explore their identity under the guidance of a grandfather who lived through a much harsher era of activism.

The Power of the “Empathetic Film” 

Lithgow, who has seen it all in his long career, places Jimpa among the five or six projects he is most proud of. The film’s power lies in its “Big Talk.” 

During a panel titled “A Queer Family Affair,” the cast emphasized that the project was about expanding “tolerance” and “acceptance of certain realities.”

By filming in the hospitality of the Netherlands with a mix of Australian crew and local Dutch talent like Romana Vrede, the production mirrored the very “connection” it sought to portray on screen.

The Advice You’re Missing About Modern Drama 

If you go into Jimpa expecting a standard family reunion, you’re missing the point.

• The “Cruelty” Factor: Don’t mistake Jimpa’s selfishness for villainy. Lithgow argues that even “dear” people can be cruel when they are fighting for their own survival.
• Connection Over Conflict: Producers insist the movie is “all about connection.” In modern storytelling, the “win” isn’t a solved mystery; it’s a shared understanding.
• The Humility Method: Dutch actress Vrede noted that the international stars were “humble and grateful.” This lack of ego is what allows a film about sensitive topics like non-binary identity to feel authentic rather than preachy.

Key Takeaways:

• John Lithgow stars as “Jimpa,” a grandfather living a queer life in Amsterdam who encourages his non-binary grandchild’s self-discovery.
• The film is inspired by director Sophie Hyde’s father, a gay activist who died before he could meet his grandchild.
• Jimpa had its Dutch premiere at IFFR on February 1, 2026, receiving praise for its message of empathy and connection.