April 23, 2005
Van Gogh festival film withdrawn
Murdered director Theo van Gogh’s controversial film Submission has been pulled from the Rotterdam Film Festival because of security fears.
It was one of three of his works to be shown as part of a freedom of expression event in tribute to the late film-maker’s life.
The film is critical of the treatment of women under Islam. Its TV screening is thought to have led to his murder.
The 10-day Dutch festival begins on Wednesday.
Submission was made with liberal Somali-Dutch politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali and was due to be shown on 30 January.
Van Gogh was shot and stabbed to death in November 2004 several months after receiving death threats following Submission’s first broadcast on Dutch television.