Committed Film 1

70 minutes

Present-day fine art sees a revival of social commitment. The HAFF wants to initiate a discussion on this subject with a theme programme of committed animation films on various subjects via different media. The programme was set up with Gerrit van Dijk, who stood at the cradle of the HAFF and passed away in December 2012. The programme was initiated before his demise. He is a pioneer in this field, with a poetical film like Butterfly R.I.P. 1975 (1975), but also the more aggressive Jute films (1979).
Socially committed films are of all time and display a broad thematic palette, but also pre-eminently demonstrate the spirit of the times and have quite their own dynamics in storytelling. For example, animation film traditionally has strong ties with politics. Animation was frequently deployed to engage in politics, as a means of propaganda and also to express criticism. Animation provides an effective packaging. It can be concealing not to pose an immediate threat and entertaining to convey messages more easily. But also distinctly radical. In animation, filmmakers have everything in their own hands and with the Internet they have a hungry and potentially gigantic public within reach.

This program screened as part of HAFF 2013

Showing in this program

A Good Turn Daily

A Good Turn Daily

  • Gerrit van Dijk
  • The Netherlands, 1983
  • 13 min.

In A Good Turn Daily maken de rebellie en het idealisme van Van Dijks eerdere films plaats voor een meer cynische benadering. Een padvinder probeert overal te helpen, maar nog voordat hij een hand kan toesteken wordt hij alweer afgeleid door het volgende probleem. Mix van historische opnamen en animatie; de film biedt een staalkaart aan animatievormen en -technieken.
In A Good Turn Daily the rebellion and the idealism of Van Dijk’s earlier films make way for a more cynical approach. A boy scout tries to help everyone he encounters, but before he can lend a helping hand he is already distracted by the next problem. A mix of historical recordings and animation film; the film is a visual display of animation forms and techniques.

Bon Voyage

Bon Voyage

  • Fabio Friedli
  • Switzerland, 2011
  • 6 min.

Dozens of people climb an old truck for the wild journey trough the desert and the ocean. Not everybody achieves Europe, where an ambiguous end is waiting.

Dolls vs Dictators

Dolls vs Dictators

  • Martha Colburn
  • The Netherlands, 2011
  • 11 min.

Puppets use their powers to rid the world of the last remaining dictators. A LOUD statement.

Hotel E

Hotel E

  • Priit Pärn
  • Estonia, 1990
  • 28 min.
Jute: Alle Menschen werden Brüder

Jute: Alle Menschen werden Brüder

  • Gerrit van Dijk
  • The Netherlands, 1979
  • 2 min.
Jute: Letter for Carter

Jute: Letter for Carter

  • Gerrit van Dijk
  • The Netherlands, 1979
  • 5 min.

Begeleid door het getik van een typemachine ontrolt zich een brief waarin de vrijlating van de Amerikaanse kleurlinge Dessie Woods wordt bepleit. Woods werd in een geruchtmakende rechtszaak veroordeeld tot een gevangenisstraf van 22 jaar omdat zij de blanke man die haar wilde verkrachten doodde met diens eigen wapen.
Accompanied by the tapping of a typewriter a letter unfolds pleading for the release of the coloured American, Dessie Woods. In a controversial court case Woods was given a 22 year jail sentence because she killed a white man with his own weapon, who wanted to rape her.

Jute: The Fascinating World of Jan van Riebeeck

Jute: The Fascinating World of Jan van Riebeeck

  • Gerrit van Dijk
  • The Netherlands, 1979
  • 5 min.