Stylised documentary in which Paul Bovens, a renowned criminal lawyer who used to defend suspects of the most serious category of crimes, looks back on his career. In May 2001 he survived a bomb attack on his office, after which he decided to close down his practice.
The advocate from the title is Paul Bovens, a renowned criminal lawyer who used to defend suspects of the most serious category of crimes. In May 2001, he survived a bomb attack on his office. The culprit has as yet not been found; a few months later, Bovens decided to close his office. In this stylised portrait - using a smoothly gliding camera, atmospheric music and a mix of colour and black-and-white - the former lawyer looks back on his career. `Sometimes I come across rather merciless', he admits. `I'm no hail-fellow well met.' Berkvens combines interviews and images of Bovens' private life with excerpts from news programmes. Bovens dons his bands and gown once more for a visit to the (empty) courtroom and also dresses up for other occasions, visiting his parents, celebrating carnival. Meanwhile, he talks about compassion, loneliness and the reactions from his surroundings.
Credits
Director
Scenario
Camera
Set geluid
Mixage
Muziek
Production company
Selfmade Films
TV company
Human
NFF Archive
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Stills
