Klaas talk about the documentary Man behind the mask
At the beginning of September 2021 (at my 84th birthday), three friends and colleagues Johan, Selim and Eric surprised me with a short documentary about episodes in my life. The film was shot years ago in Bujumbura (Burundi) and in Redu (Belgium), now released under the title ‘Man behind the mask’. Actually, I hadn't expected this at all, but I loved it! Thanks guys!
I am very satisfied with this product of my friends; with aspects of what I said a little less. It was a spontaneous event, nothing had been discussed or tried in advance. In hindsight, I would formulate or introduce certain things a little differently. Hence this accompanying piece on the three subjects from the film: art, eroticism/women and activism.
A hobby that got out of hand. My interest and fascination for AFRICAN ART (masks and statues) and especially for the stories that are told with these objects. A wonderful entrance to understand and learn from the thinking and doing of these 'others'. Years ago, for example, I acquired a one-eyed Lega mask from eastern Congo that represents a socially very active being who is always ready for everyone, but often pays insufficient attention to the problems and wishes of his closest relatives. Something I recognize in myself. In the film, this Lega mask can be seen in the closing scene. This art also helped me survive when I was immersed in depressing subjects such as the genocide and the wars that took place in Rwanda, Burundi and Congo.
In conversations with three girlfriends, I tell how I enjoy maintaining relationships with several WOMEN at the same time, just as I very much enjoy a diverse group of very good male friends. They actually give three quite different views on this topic. I make no secret of the fact that I don't see anything in classic monogamous relationships and that if we start a love relationship there can always be others. When starting a new relationship that should be clear. With this I hope to avoid too high expectations and disappointments. A woman can have the same starting point, which is sometimes the case, but often not. It is certainly not a polygamous relationship African style in which the man has all kinds of rights, but his 'wives' do not (at least not openly).
The discussion about an attack by a special unit ‘SPECIAL OPS of MK, the armed branch of the ANC for which Hélène and I regularly worked. As 'whites' we had added value, as we were usually able to enter this racist country without any problems. SpecialOps was a small unit that mainly focused on armed actions against important strategic targets, both militarily (Voortrekkerhoogte military base and the Koeberg nuclear power station) and economically (Sasol, a chemical industry).
With regard to this kind of discussions, I would like to say the following: I sometimes get quite tired (like most 'comrades') that I am always asked to justify myself why I took part in the fight against the inhumane apartheid system. While bystanders are almost never asked to explain why they just watched, judged and never did anything...
