What if I were to tell you, that the true– most controversial film ever made isn’t Eyes Wide Shut, nor A clockwork orange, but– If I were to pick what the most controversial film ever made is– this short film would be up there as one of the highest. Not because of its graphic content or whatsoever– but because of its message– that led to catastrophic consequences , and left a huge impact on the Dutch society at that time. A message that was a bold critique on Islam– especially towards how Islam treats women.
In the time this film was released– criticism towards Islam wasn’t as regulated as it is nowadays. In the early 2000s– in the Netherlands, rising right-wing politician Pim Fortuyn and filmdirector Theo van Gogh (the director of this film) where known best as those who dared to criticize Islam. Both would end up to be murdered. Pim Fortuyn shot dead by an extremist environmentalist– The Van Gogh stabbed to death in broad daylight by a Muslim extremist, with a 2 page letter pinged to his chest with a knife– just 2 months after the release of this film.
Note: this review is not politically driven
Controversy aside– this film was, in my opinion, really well made. With its daunting way of way of storytelling– with unique haunting sequences throughout the film– almost artistic– it sure as hell leaves an impact at the end of it all. And it sure as hell had a lot to say for something that was only 12 minutes long.
What if I were to tell you, that the true– most controversial film ever made isn’t Eyes Wide Shut, nor A clockwork orange, but– If I were to pick what the most controversial film ever made is– this short film would be up there as one of the highest. Not because of its graphic content or whatsoever– but because of its message– that led to catastrophic consequences , and left a huge impact on the Dutch society at that time. A message that was a bold critique on Islam– especially towards how Islam treats women.
In the time this film was released– criticism towards Islam wasn’t as regulated as it is nowadays. In the early 2000s– in the Netherlands, rising right-wing politician Pim Fortuyn and filmdirector Theo van Gogh (the director of this film) where known best as those who dared to criticize Islam. Both would end up to be murdered. Pim Fortuyn shot dead by an extremist environmentalist– The Van Gogh stabbed to death in broad daylight by a Muslim extremist, with a 2 page letter pinged to his chest with a knife– just 2 months after the release of this film.
Note: this review is not politically driven
Controversy aside– this film was, in my opinion, really well made. With its daunting way of way of storytelling– with unique haunting sequences throughout the film– almost artistic– it sure as hell leaves an impact at the end of it all. And it sure as hell had a lot to say for something that was only 12 minutes long.
