It will be interesting to see the forthcoming documentary “Provo:
The great anarchist happening of Amsterdam” when it appears on YouTube later
this year. I enjoyed reading Richard Kempton’s “Provo: Amsterdam’s anarchist
revolt” book, one of the very few English language sources on this quite pro-Situ
phenomenon from c.1962 – 1967ish.
It is easy to criticise the movement in hindsight,
but it was very significant in the historical context of an incredibly conservative
Netherlands in the early 1960s. For example, the “Happenings”, riots against
the marriage of Princess Beatrix to an ex-Nazi and the White Bicycles seem now perfectly
sensible radical gestures, but at the time they challenged ingrained concepts
of right to freedom of expression, the Dutch royal family and private
ownership. The Dutch Provos are an overlooked radical movement, perhaps because
of the language barrier for English speaking anarchists, but also because it
was so unique and preceded the more well-known May 1968 events.
(Provo—from Dutch,
"provoceren," to provoke. Anarchist youth movement in Amsterdam,
1965-67)
A film for beatniks,
pleiners, scissors-grinders, jailbirds, simple simon stylites, magicians,
misfits, pacifists, potato-chip chaps, charlatans, artists, anarchists,
philosophers, germ-carriers, grand masters of the queen’s horse, happeners,
vegetarians, syndicalists, santy clauses, kindergarten teachers, agitators,
pyromaniacs, assistant assistants, scratchers and syphilitics, secret police,
and other riff-raff.
"Provo has something
against capitalism, communism, fascism, bureaucracy, militarism, professionalism,
dogmatism, and authoritarianism. Provo has to choose between desperate,
resistance and submissive extinction. Provo calls for resistance wherever
possible. Provo cannot pass up the chance to make at least one more heartfelt
attempt to provoke society. Provo regards anarchy as the inspirational source
of resistance. Provo wants to revive anarchy and teach it to the young."
Provo is coming!
Trailer here: Provo! The great anarchist happening of Amsterdam
Mark Corske’s earlier film, Engines of Domination, a
critique of political power, is certainly worth a look.
Film here: Engines of Domination
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