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Cogent, complex, and classically composed, the documentaries of Johan van der Keuken reveal his lifelong curiosity about the ever-changing world and its inhabitants. His films stretch the boundaries of both documentary and narrative fiction, resulting in a uniquely personal style that is as daring as it is compassionate. The fifth and final volume of this collection focuses on death and dying, as van der Keuken continues to make films after learning he is terminally ill. The Long Holiday (2000), winner of the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the Berlin Film Festival, follows the director and his wife as they travel the globe during their last years together. Last Words: My Sister Yoka (1998) is the director's tribute to his sister ("Joke" in Dutch), who speaks to the camera just days before she dies of cancer. As an addendum to that film, the director's stepson, Stijn van Santen, made Last Words (2002), a short film about van der Keuken during his final days. Despite the melancholy subject matter, this two-disc set serves as a summary and final statement on van der Keuken's philosophy about life and art. In Dutch, French, and English with English subtitles.
Johan van der Keuken/Stijn van Santen---Netherlands---1998-2002---234 mins.
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