92'2017UK, USA, Germany, Netherlandsdirector: Stephen Robert Morse, Nicholas Hampsoncinematography: Nick Hampsonediting: Nick Hampson, Luke Springerproduction: Nick Hampson, Luke Springer
When Geert Wilders' populist party failed to win this year's elections in the Netherlands, a sigh of relief swept through European media. They were mistaken, claim the makers of the first documentary portrait of perhaps the most famous Islamaphobe in the world. Although Wilders did not win the election, his party not only finished in second place in the country, it also fundamentally changed the language of public debate. What once seemed unimaginable has become a regular part of the political paradigm. Without concealing their views, Morse and Hampson try to be objective while also allowing Wilders—with his unprecedented agreement to take part in the film—to speak freely. Just who is this man, the precursor of right-wing populism in Europe, who has been under 24-hour protection against very real threats from ISIS and al-Qaeda for the past 12 years? Who are his voters and his national and foreign allies?
Maciej Nowicki
