Patrasche, a Dog of Flanders - Made in Japan

Directors Didier Volckaert & An van. Dienderen, 2008, 85'

Every day several Japanese tourists visit the cathedral of Antwerp in Flanders. In front of Rubens' Descent from the cross they start to cry. Why? Nobody in Flanders has any idea that they are moved because of a tiny book written by Louise de La Ramée 133 years ago. In its final scene the two main characters, Nello and Patrasche, die in each other's arms in front of the Rubens' painting. Today this tiny book, A Dog of Flanders is taught in Japanese high schools, it is a classic in the UK and the States and has inspired numerous films and TV series in Japan and the States. The most important of them being the Japanese animated series of 1975 that counted 52 episodes and influenced the Japanese culture intensely (30 million television Japanese viewed the last episode. Many of them can still sing the series opening song, ... in Dutch! )

Why has the author of the novel situated the story in Flanders? How does she represent Flanders? And why are Japanese and Americans so attracted by this story? What images are they creating of Flanders based on this story?

Didier Volckaert and An van. Dienderen made the documentary Patrasche, a Dog of Flanders - Made in Japan in which they evoke the several different (imaginary) representations of Flanders based on the novel. For this film they have been researching archives and libraries for the last two years. They found 35mm and 16mm prints of all USA films made based on the book. They found first print books both from the UK, USA and Japan. They were able to interview numerous people involved in the making of the legendary 1975 Japanese animated series. They filmed about 40 hours of interview and obtained almost every printed and filmed source important for the documentary.

Screened at festivals in Vienna, Moskou, Taipei, Rotterdam, Amsterdam etc.
Produced by Elektrischer Schnellseher . With the support of Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds, Beursschouwburg.

International reactions:

• "Thoroughly researched and intriguing, this is a gem that is sure to garner the same cult status as the book." DocFest Sheffield
• "a fascinating story of cultural borrowing, transformation and misunderstanding." Ian Mundell, DOX, Documentary Film magazine (European documentary Network)
• "The documentary is full of wonderful anecdotes but it's the exploration of images and legend that make the film so intensely interesting." Lisa Bradshaw, Flanders' Today
• Shortlist Grierson Innovation Award