Wan Pipel – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Suriname/Netherlands, 1976
Director: Pim de la Parra
Writers: Rudi F. Kross, Pim de la Parra
Cast: Borger Breeveld, Diana Gangaram Panday, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Emanuel van Gonter, Ro Jackson-Breeveld, Joyce Mungroo-Ooft, Ruud Mungroo, Grace Calor-Ooft, Asha Bharosa

Release Date: May 27th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 111 Minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan, DTS-HD Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"A love story between a Suriname man (Borger Breeveld), his Dutch girlfriend (Willeke van Ammelrooy), and an Indian girl (Diana Gangaram Panday), that breaks all color, race, and religious barriers." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Restored 2K Transfer".

Wan Pipel comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.9 GB

Feature: 23.7 GB

Outside a few very minor instances of print debris, the source is in excellent shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity is generally strong, compression is very good, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. That said, black levels are not as convincing as they should be.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan, DTS-HD Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan and a DTS-HD mono mix in Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, the score and ambient sounds are well-represented. Included are removable English subtitles that translate everything except a few Bhojpuri chants that are left untranslated.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery (23 images), a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), a short film directed by Pim de la Parra titled Aah… Tamara (26 minutes 57 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an archival documentary from 1976 titled The Making of Wan Pipel (24 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Willeke van Ammelrooy (38 minutes 4 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Dutch with removable English subtitles), an archival introduction by director Pim de la Parra (9 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Dutch with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with film historian Lex Veerkamp and Bodil de la Parra in English, reversible cover art, and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Other extras include a collection of Scorpio Films trailers: Dakota, Frank & Eva, My Nights with Susan, Olga, Albert, Julie, Piet & Sandra, Obsessions, Blue Movie, and Pastorale 1943.

Summary:

Pim de la Parra directed Wan Pipel. His notable films include Obsessions, Frank & Eva, and My Nights with Susan, Olga, Albert, Julie, Piet & Sandra.

A Suriname man who has been living in Holland with his Dutch girlfriend returns to his homeland and has a spiritual awakening.

Filmmakers are often drawn to films that connect with them on a personal level. Director Pim de la Parra was born in the town of Paramaribo, in Dutch Guiana (which is now Suriname), and 64 years after his birth, he would die in that same town. Although he was Dutch, he undoubtedly felt a strong connection to Suriname, the land of his birth.

The narrative revolves around a man named Roy, who returns to his homeland when he hears his mother is gravely ill. Despite his intention to be with his family, he slowly starts to drift away from them in a moment of grief, and instead of mourning the loss of his mother, he begins a relationship with a Bhojpuri woman. Their relationship is instantly met by hostility by their families, who are opposed to other cultures. That said, Wan Pipel is a film about a man torn between two worlds: the life he’s made in Holland and his homeland.

The most surprising aspect of Wan Pipel is its performances; for most of the cast, this would be the only film they ever worked on. Borger Breeveld (The Obsessed One) is cast in the role of Roy, he delivers a convincing performance of a man at a crossroads. The cast's most notable name is Willeke van Ammelrooy, a frequent collaborator of Pim de la Parra. That said, the lack of experience works in Wan Pipel’s favor, giving the performances a rawness.

Shot entirely on location, there is an in-the-moment quality to the events that unfold. The Suriname locations are picturesque, and the visuals take full advantage of them. The narrative does a superb job drawing you in and holding your attention. Another strength is the score, which does an excellent job reinforcing its introspective tone. Ultimately, Wan Pipel is an exceptional film that explores the journey of self-discovery and the importance of embracing one's identity.

Wan Pipel gets a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer