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The Dutch Act

Fred Pelon

2001 00:24:00 NetherlandsEnglishB&W and ColorStereo

Description

During 1998 and 1999, Pelon participated in various Internet newsgroups and lists where suicide is the main subject. Stories unfolded as the film was made; some reached the point of no return. The subject of suicide is very candid on the Internet, due to its anonymity and the freedom it allows from the usual taboos around the subject. The newsgroups and lists have become a relatively safe place for the many people that find themselves isolated because of their interest in the idea of suicide. During research for the film, Pelon also discovered how these meeting places are taken over by anti-suicide interventionists. In the film, the names, places and addresses of participants have been changed in order to protect their privacy. Some conversations have been re-written.

Made in co-operation with Roos Geevers, Martijn Gerfin and Edward von Tetterode. With Ben Duivenvoorden.

About Fred Pelon

First seen 7/24/1961 at the feet of a Windmill named Fatty in Nieuwer Amstel, during the '80s and early '90s, Fred Pelon made low-budget documentaries about political issues in Central America as part of a political activist agenda.  Later he worked for different art-house cinemas, organizing film programs and festivals in Amsterdam. Since 1998 he has worked full-time as a filmmaker/artist at Filmatelier Eyediom, a 16mm and Super-8 film studio in Amsterdam.  His work is screened at many festivals and film programs around the world and is currently co-distributed by Filmbank in the Netherlands.