SCHEVENINGEN — After the success of the documentary ‘False Paradise’ more than a year ago, the second part will premiere on November 10 in the Afas Circustheater in Scheveningen. In ‘False Paradise: Strength born from struggle’, Dutch-born and raised cousins Feroz Amirkhan and Pavan Marhé once again follow in the footsteps of their ancestors.
While part one focused on the history of Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, this successor shifts the horizon to South Africa and Mauritius. In the documentary, Amirkhan and Marhe investigate the deep traces of Hindustani contract labor.
“In this part the horizon is shifted to South Africa and Mauritius”
They discover how resistance against the harsh plantation system grew into a cross-border, international movement that ultimately overthrew the recruitment of workers. During their journey, the makers also encounter the personal, untold story of their own great-grandmother.
The first part, ‘False Paradise: The Hidden Story of the Hindustani’, was awarded the international Septimius Award for best short documentary last year. The production is directed by Patrick Bisschops.
Jorgen Raymann
The premiere evening on November 10 will include an extensive, full-length program in addition to the film screening. The Surinamese-Dutch entertainer Jörgen Raymann will host the evening.
In addition to musical contributions by Angel Aruna and a live soundtrack by FER, there will be a discussion about the impact of the colonial past. Investigative journalist Sinan Can, Nouhaila el Guebli and Ragna Indra, among others, participate in this.
After the cinema premiere, the documentary will later be broadcast on Dutch television. It has not been announced whether both parts of ‘Vals Paradijs’ will be shown in Suriname.
