Twenty years ago, Theo van Gogh was murdered in broad daylight. The world was shocked—not only by the horrific image of Theo lying under a white sheet on the bike path, but also by the motive behind the killing. In the series Theo van Gogh: The Longing, director David de Jongh paints an unflinching portrait of perhaps the most provocative figure in recent Dutch history. Drawing on the rich archive of and about Theo, combined with testimonies from those close to him—family, friends, and colleagues—David de Jongh explores the legacy of the filmmaker and columnist. How do his mother Anneke, relatives, friends, and actors who knew him well now reflect on the radical way in which Theo longed for love, attention, and freedom? Through the interplay between these voices and the archival material, a new, more nuanced portrait emerges—one that goes beyond the usual polarized image of Theo.

4 x ’45

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