FILMOGRAPHY
English version
Video, 57 mins., 2020
Lustre is a technique of ceramic decoration characterized by its iridescence, a subtle play of light and colour that inspires fascination and wonder. The Iridescent project of the association ‘Dialogue Céramique’ takes inspiration from an element of traditional Islamic architecture, the Mihrab, many examples of which are adorned with lustre ceramics. The film briefly presents the origins of lustre ceramics in the Middle East and its evolution up to the present day.
For the project a number of ceramists have created contemporary works based on the principle of the stele or the Mihrab, decorated using specific lustre techniques. In the film we follow some of them and see what goes into the creation of lustre ceramics: the preparation of lustre glazes, decoration and lustre firing techniques, and the discovery of the ceramists’ works as they come out of the kiln.
The film IRIDESCENT was shot in Nepal, Iran, Tunisia, France, Switzerland and Italy.
The film can be seen on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1019327327?share=copy#t=0
IRIDESCENT – Version française
Le lustre en céramique est une technique d’ornementation à reflets irisés dont le jeu subtil des lumières et des couleurs suscite fascination et émerveillement. Le projet Iridescent de l’association ‘Dialogue céramique’ s’inspire du Mihrab, un élément architectural de la tradition islamique dont nombre d’exemples sont richement ornés de céramiques lustrées. Le film évoque brièvement les origines de la céramique lustrée au Moyen-Orient et son évolution à nos jours.
Pour le projet quelques céramistes renommés ont réalisé des œuvres contemporaines sur le thème de la stèle ou du Mihrab, décorées selon les techniques du lustre. Dans le film nous suivons quelques-uns d’entre eux sur les étapes de leur création de céramiques lustrées : la composition complexe des émaux, la décoration, les différentes techniques de cuisson et finalement la découverte des résultats à la sortie du four.
Le film IRIDESCENT a été tourné en Népal, Iran, Tunisie, France, Suisse et Italy.
Le film est à voir sur Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1019346224?share=copy#t=0
PAINTING GROUNDS / TERRES TRACEES
Video, 63 mins., 2019
Painting Grounds looks into the use of the mineral ochre in painting. It unites artists from radically different cultural contexts in celebrating the universality of the artistic experience while showing the diversity that can be obtained from the same basic pigments and support.
The film has been shot in Australia, France and Switzerland.
The film can be seen on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1018312371?share=copy#t=0
Version française
Pour son projet Terres tracées, l’association ‘Dialogue Céramique’ a réunit des artistes de contextes culturels très différents pour célébrer l’universalité de l’expérience artistique. Des artistes de l’Australie aborigène, d’Europe, de Chine et du Moyen-Orient ont été invités à réaliser des peintures avec des pigments d’ocre sur le célèbre papier Arches et sur du papier porcelaine.
Le film TERRES TRACEES a été tourné en Australie, France et Suisse.
Le film est à voir sur Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1016991024?share=copy#t=0
INSPIRED CLAY / ARGILES VIVES
Video, 89 mins., 2015
The protagonists of INSPIRED CLAY are Earth, Clay and Man. The film and book describe the role of clay in creation myths and in artistic creations from the origin of man to the present day.
In a string of stories of man-made clay and clay-made man the film shows how clay, thanks to its qualities of colour and plasticity, became one of the essential components of the human experience.
The film INSPIRED CLAY was shot in New Zealand, Australia, India and Europe.
The film can be seen on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1018234386?share=copy#t=0
Version française
La Terre, l’Argile et l’Homme sont les protagonistes du projet ARGILES VIVES. Le film et le livre décrivent le rôle de l’argile dans les mythes et les créations artistiques depuis les origines de l’homme à nos jours.
Dans un chapelet d’histoires, celle que l’homme façonne et celle dont l’homme est façonné, le film montre comment les qualités de sa couleur et sa plasticité ont fait de l’argile un des composants essentiels de l’expérience humaine.
Le film ARGILES VIVES a été tourné en Nouvelle Zélande, Australie, Inde et Europe.
Le film est à voir sur Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1018250831?share=copy#t=0
HENRI PRESSET – pour mémoire
Film on the last days in the life of Swiss sculptor and friend Henri Presset, and on his work, as shown in the last exhibition during his lifetime.
With Claude Albana Presset.
Video, 20 mins., Switzerland, 2013
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
STILL DANCE OF LIFE –
IN TIME AND SPACE
The film is based on our present understanding of the universe and of life on earth, its origin and evolution. It draws on insights from astronomy, biology, geology and various other sciences. But above all it is an artistic visual expression – set to music by Bob Dylan and George Crumb – of a cosmological truth which has existential implications for all thinking beings in the universe.
Video, 22 mins., Earth, 2010
RICE, BRICKS AND LABOUR – Preventing bondage in Tamil Nadu, India
Film on the ILO programme for the prevention of bonded labour in rice mills and brick kilns in Tamil Nadu, India.
Video, 10 and 15 minutes, India, 2010
See short version on YouTube.
JOURNEYS IN CLAY / VOYAGES D’ARGILE
Video, 62mins., 2009
« In the beginning there was clay. Clay, fascinating in its plasticity and the countless appearances it assumes in different cultures. Following in its footsteps we are going on a journey between Asia and Europe, from terracotta to porcelain, via stoneware and earthenware, from the traditional to the experimental. It will be an unhurried journey, a dreamlike journey, a journey in celebration of diversity. »
The film JOURNEYS IN CLAY was shot in India, France, Japan, China and Switzerland.
The film can be seen on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1017630745?share=copy#t=0
Version française
« Au commencement du voyage était l’argile. L’argile fascinante par sa plasticité et les mille apparences qu’elle peut prendre selon les cultures. Sur ses traces, nous allons cheminer entre l’Asie et l’Europe, de la terre cuite à la porcelaine, en passant par le grès et la faïence, depuis la tradition jusqu’aux démarches expérimentales: un voyage singulier, qui tient autant de la promenade et de la rêverie que d’un éloge de la diversité. »
Le film VOYAGES D’ARGILE a été tourné en Inde, France, Japon, Chine et Suisse.
Le film est à voir sur Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/1017525558?share=copy#t=0
CHANGE SWEEPS THROUGH RURAL BETUL
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in Betul District, Madhya Pradesh. Produced for UNDP / Ministry of Rural Development, India.
Video, 30 mins., India, 2008
IN THE BEGINNING WAS DESIRE
A homage to the rich sexual-erotic language in which two of the great South Asian religions, Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, have tried to catch the wonder of life.
Video, 49 mins., India, 2005
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
CONSONANCE ET DISSONANCE
Photo exhibition at OMPI/WIPO
Geneva, Switzerland, 2004
MEMORIA
Video poem to contemporary music.
Video, 17.5 mins., France/Netherlands, 1999
MUMBAI MAHILA MILAN
We Women of Bombay
On a women’s organisation of pavement dwellers.
Video, 40 mins., India, 1998 – Broadcast by Dutch TV
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
HOME GROUND
On a gang of street children in Manila.
Video, 25 mins., Philippines, 1996 – Broadcast by Dutch TV
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
DEFENCE FOR CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL IN ACTION
The worldwide movement for children’s rights. Produced for DCI-The Netherlands.
Video, 28.5 mins., Geneva, Philippines, Netherlands, 1996
BIG CITY GIRLS
Three street girls in Manila portrayed. The film is produced for a network of Philippine NGOs and for government institutions that work for the benefit of street children.
Video, 49 mins. Philippines, 1995
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
WHY FOOD AID? and
FOOD AID, HOW IT WORKS
Two documentaries on European Union food aid to Africa, with examples from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mozambique Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. Produced by Avise, The Netherlands, for the Commission of the European Communities. Function: research, script, director.
Video, 35 and 25 mins., Europe/Africa, 1993
IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING GODS
On a group of Dutch tourists who get to know India. Function: research, script, director.
16 mm film, 65 (52) mins., India, 1992 – Broadcast by Dutch TV
PUNKI AND GANSHYAM
Twins in India
On a boy and a girl of 11 years old, living in a small, remote village in Rajasthan. Function: research, director.
16 mm film, 25 mins., India, 1988/89 – Broadcast by Dutch and foreign TV
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
On Labour migration from Sri Lanka to the Middle East. Produced for the Universities of Leiden and Colombo.
Video, 55 mins., Sri Lanka/U.A.E., 1987/88 – Broadcast by Dutch TV
Ask me for the link if you want to see the film
WITNESS APARTHEID AGGRESSION
On the aggression of South Africa against the front-line states, against the people of Namibia, and against its own black population. Produced (with Maarten Rens) for the Anti Apartheid Movement Netherlands.
Video, 48 mins., Southern Africa/Netherlands, 1984
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
THE DOORS OF CULTURE SHALL BE OPENED!
On the cultural struggle against Apartheid. Produced (with Maarten Rens) for the Anti Apartheid Movement Netherlands.
Video, 40 mins., Netherlands, 1982
Short version can be seen on my YouTube channel
MADE IN KERALA
On life, work and struggle of workers in Kerala, India. Produced for the University of Amsterdam and the Kerala Sastra Sahytya Parashad. Function: production and direction.
16 mm film, 90 and 45 mins., India, 1979/81 – Broadcast by Belgian TV
Can be seen on my YouTube channel
PRENTEN UIT HET IJS (PRINTS FROM THE ICE)
On the restoration and conservation of 16th century Dutch prints found at Nova Zembla. Produced by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the Foundation for Film and Science, Utrecht. Function: script.
16 mm film, 25 mins., Dutch spoken, no subtitles, Netherlands, 1979/80
MITRANIKETAN
On a rural development project in Kerala, India.
16 mm film, 35 mins., India, 1977/78
HOLLANDERS IN JAPAN 1609-1864
THE DUTCH ON DESHIMA 1641-1864
On the historical presence of the Dutch in Japan. Between 1641 and 1864 the Dutch were the only Western traders allowed to stay in Japan, on the tiny island Deshima at Nagasaki. Produced by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the Foundation for Film and Science, Utrecht. Function: research, script, co-director.
Video, 13 mins., Dutch and English versions, Netherlands, 1976
DE OVERWINTERING OP NOVA ZEMBLA 1596-1597
WINTER 1596-1597 ENDURED ON NOVA ZEMBLA
On this famous 16th century event in Dutch history. Produced by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the Foundation for Film and Science, Utrecht. Function: research, script, co-director.
Video, 14 mins., Dutch and English versions, Netherlands, 1976
ALONE TOGETHER
Four films on different types of psychotherapy. Produced for the Institute of Medical Psychotherapy, Utrecht. Function: director.
16 mm film, 4 times 30 mins., Netherlands, 1975 – Broadcast by Dutch TV
AT HER MAJESTY’S PLEASURE:
DETENTION REMAINS A BLACK MARK
On the stigmatisation of criminals who are treated as psychiatric patients. Produced with a group of sociology and law students for the University of Amsterdam.
Video, 20 mins., Netherlands, 1974
CRISIS
On the process of psychic crises. Produced with Theo van Leeuwen, a colleague student of the Netherlands Film Academy, for the Academic Hospital of the University of Amsterdam.
16 mm film, Netherlands, 1971
PORTRAIT OF LOUK VREESWIJK
Produced with a group of five students of the Netherlands Film Academy, Amsterdam.
16 mm film, Netherlands, 1969
καιρός remembered 