Article Added On: December 13, 2004 - over 3 years ago
Title: Last film by slain filmmaker premieres
Author: CP staff
Publication: Canadian Press
Publication Date: January 01, 2004 - over 4 years ago
Faith Groups: Other
Themes: religion in the media

Abstract: The last movie by slain Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh -- a feature-length film about the May 2002 assassination of populist anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn premiered Sunday (Dec. 12) in Netherlands. The release of an English-language version is under negotiation with international distributors. From next Wednesday (Dec.15), 06/05 will be available for downloading from the Internet.

Monday, December 13, 2004

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The last movie by slain Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh -- a fictional thriller about the first political killing in the Netherlands -- premiered Sunday at a screening attended by his family and national movie celebrities.

Van Gogh was putting the final touches to 06/05, a feature-length film about the May 2002 assassination of populist anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn, when he himself was shot and stabbed to death on an Amsterdam street, allegedly by an Islamic radical.

The movie weaves together genuine archived news footage of Fortuyn's murder with a fictional conspiracy between the U.S. government and the Dutch secret service, and throws in some nudity to keep with traditional Dutch cinema.

The story is told through the eyes of a freelance photographer who unwittingly takes pictures which capture the participation of Dutch authorities in Fortuyn's murder.

Jim de Booy finds himself on the run from secret service agents who ransack his home and threaten his family.

Most of the movie is based on a fictional book, but some of the facts correspond with reality -- such as the identity of Fortuyn's killer, an animal rights activist who was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison last year.

Fortuyn's death shook the Netherlands' self-image as a tolerant, peaceful nation. Van Gogh's own killing on Nov. 2 led the Dutch to further reflect about their identity and acceptance of -- or failure to accept -- a large Muslim population.

Van Gogh's killing was followed by dozens of arson attacks against mosques and counter-attacks on Christian churches during two weeks of crisis.

Van Gogh was killed shortly after releasing the television film Submission, a fierce critique of the treatment of women under Islam written by an anti-immigration member of parliament.

Some of Van Gogh's friends and family wept after the movie was shown.

"It's not only a beautiful tribute to Fortuyn, but sadly it is also a tribute to Theo," said actress Tara Elders.

The movie will be shown at dozens of movie theatres in the Netherlands starting next month. The release of an English-language version is under negotiation with international distributors. From next Wednesday, 06/05 will also be available for downloading from the Internet.