Fortuyn: On-Hollands

Whatever your views on Pim Portuyn, no one can deny that he was one of the most colourful politicians ever to have graced the Dutch political scene. With his undeniable charisma and sometimes ruthless rhetoric, he managed to turn the political debate in the Netherlands on its head from the early 2000s onwards. Although he claimed to be proud of Dutch tolerance – he was openly gay himself – he managed to shift the focus to immigration and Islam, which he saw as a threat to that tolerance in general, and to the freedom of women and gay people in particular. With his verve, he swept aside other, more experienced politicians. His debate with PvdA politician Ad Melkert – who proved to be a sore loser after losing the election – has become legendary. On 6 May 2002, it all came to an end: at the Mediapark in Hilversum, he was murdered by the extremist environmental activist Volkert van der Graaf.

 In this monumental documentary, lasting over eight hours, Fortuyn’s story is told through rare archive footage and testimonies from allies and opponents; his rise, his legacy and his lasting influence on political thought.