IDFA 1988
Sal Santen rebel
Rudolf van den Berg
Netherlands
1982
n.a.
is an in-depth portrait of the writer and revolutionary Sal Santen (aged 67). The portrait emphasizes Santen's relationship with Michel Raptis, the political leader of the Fourth International. Along with Raptis, Santen ended up in jail for illegally aiding the Algerian revolution. The film is also about Santen's jewishness.
The greater part of the film covers Santen's journey by train to Paris, where he hopes to be reunited with Raptis. They have not seen each other for twenty years, since the moment Santen withdrew and became a writer. The confrontation, filmed in an exceptionally thrilling way, eventually ends in an anti-climax. has been composed extremely skilfully, by Rudolf van den Berg. The construction of this documentary resembles that of a feature film. The film also deals with the ethics of the documentary: How far can one go in manipulating someone?
In 1982, was awarded the Gouden Kalf for the best documentary.
The greater part of the film covers Santen's journey by train to Paris, where he hopes to be reunited with Raptis. They have not seen each other for twenty years, since the moment Santen withdrew and became a writer. The confrontation, filmed in an exceptionally thrilling way, eventually ends in an anti-climax. has been composed extremely skilfully, by Rudolf van den Berg. The construction of this documentary resembles that of a feature film. The film also deals with the ethics of the documentary: How far can one go in manipulating someone?
In 1982, was awarded the Gouden Kalf for the best documentary.
Credits
Cinematography
Production
VPRO
VPRO