This special, part of our theme Reversing the Gaze, consists of four short genre films made by a new generation of Surinamese filmmakers in the Netherlands. The discussion afterwards will be moderated by Sherlien Sanches, born in Surinam of Karinha and Afro-Surinamese heritage. Sanches is the advisor for International Heritage Cooperation at the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage and founder and chairperson at the Indigenous Knowledge Centre International.
The films:
- Sranan folktales, Episode 2: Kim. Loëlle Monsanto, 2017. Episode of horror web series based on Surinamese supernatural folktales.
- Jungle. Ronald Marinakis, 2024. Genre short focusing on The Netherland’s hidden history from the perspective of the Indigenous people of Surinam.
- Fort Buku. Loëlle Monsanto, 2025. Three friends search for the mythical Fort Buku, a symbol of resistance against colonial opression.
- Help! – Don Wei, 2025. A grieving , guilt-ridden man puts his safety on the line to protect a mysterious woman against a cosmic entity.
Sanches will be speaking with Loëlle Monsanto, Ronald Marinakis and Don Wei. How do these young filmmakers look at their own roots in relation to their work? Why did they choose this particular genre to reflect on their culture? And why these specific Surinamese stories?
The panel will be hosted in Dutch.
