AZART COME MAKE ART

This vibrant documentary tells the extraordinary adventure story of artist and free spirit August Dirks and his ship of fools, Azart, The Ship of Fools.

For more than 30 years, August sailed the world with his absurdist theatre project. Throughout that time, he lived aboard this floating work of art with an ever-changing crew. He transformed an old fishing vessel into a ship designed to meet other cultures, exchange ideas, and above all, have fun. As August himself put it: “I wanted to rig up a ship of fools and sail around the world singing the praises of folly.” He also drew inspiration from old carnival traditions. After all, the wheeled boat or wagon ship is the most joyful float in the carnival parade!

The ship hardly looked seaworthy, and in truth August was not a particularly skilled sailor. It is more a matter of luck than wisdom that everything always worked out.

The crew followed the old VOC route, this time not to conquer and exploit, but to share, play, and connect. In countless ports they sought genuine encounters with local communities.

Halfway through the journey, near Ecuador, disaster struck and interrupted the voyage, forcing the ship to set course for its final and spectacular resting place. A hopeful true story about the art of navigating between ambition, dreams and setbacks while living an adventurous life. And all of it told with a healthy dose of humour.

“Hoe mooi het leven is als je in onzin en mislukking plezier en schoonheid kunt zien” – Filmkrant
“Vrolijke en inspirerende documentaire” – De Groene Amsterdammer
“Tweedekansfossiel, gestrand uit liefde” – NRC
“Een tomeloze bonk creativiteit en energie” – Het Parool
“Hoe tegenslag veranderde in mogelijkheden” – Trouw

Film Information
Directors: Annike Kaljouw & Masha Novikova
Running time: 83 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Languages spoken: English, Dutch, French and Spanish
Subtitles: Dutch (English/Spanish subtitles available upon request)
Age rating: Suitable for all ages
Distribution: Het Gouden Oog & Amstelfilm

Image: De Parade der Dwazen, Azartplein, Amsterdam, 12 februari 1994