‘De Vloek en De Illusie’, a documentary on two subcultural social centres

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In 2007-2008 I made a short free-style documentary on two free spaces in The Hague, The Netherlands. These places are called ‘De Vloek’ (The Curse’, footage shot there is visible on the left side of the screen) and De Illusie (‘The Illusion’, visible on the right side of the screen) Both buildings were squatted after having been empty for ages, and were enthusiastically revived by its new inhabitants. De Illusie was squatted in 1990, De Vloek in 2002.

I tried to capture the activities and daily practices within these two places and their struggles to survive. In the loose narrative of the documentary I found myself mostly focussing on the art and music events that happened, respectively in De Vloek with the ‘soundcheck’ of the newly built concert space ‘De Piratenbar’ and the analogue recording studio of ‘Motorwolf Records’ in the basement of De Illusie for example. Both places shared a strong DIY ethic. And both places struggle(d) for their continuing existence in a city that’s becoming more elitist and commercial. De Illusie was lost in 2009, De Vloek still exists and continues their campaign. (More on this on their website devloek.nl) Right at the end of the documentary you can see the building inspectors slowly measuring the monumental building of De Illusie, getting the information they need to start demolishing De Illusie and start building a prestigious university campus. At the same time on the left screen a person from De Vloek shows us around the outside space of De Vloek whilst being defiant in his speech.

Autonomous, sub-cultural spaces like these are very relevant, they show us a different way of building a community, a community of people, not based on profit and prestige and exploitation, but on creativity and solidarity and inclusion. By showing an insight into these two unique yet similar places I hope to reinforce the awareness that you are welcome to become involved!.

Defend your local squats, political social centres, underground music venues and exciting free-spaces!

Thanks to everyone involved, you know where you are.