Amsterdam – Renowned Dutch comedian Hans Teeuwen is reportedly considering legal action against artist collective, Creeps From The Middle East, following the release of their film ”Looking for Hans“.
The film, which merges reality with fiction, features a scene involving Teeuwen that has led to significant debate.
In the film, German-Iranian comedian Sina Khani and Dutch comedian Stefano Keizers (as Donny Ronny) perform in a theater in Tilburg, The Netherlands. During the performance, Sina Khani makes an unexpected call to Hans Teeuwen.
Although Hans Teeuwen does not know Khani, he plays along, to the audience’s delight. After the show, Stefano Keizers, creative director of Joost Klein’s Eurovision Song Contest debacle song “Europapa,” criticises Khani for focusing on personal grievances rather than his art, starting up the film’s central conflict. Sina Khani starts posting ads around town, such as “Looking for Hans. Lost my phone. Got dry-humped. You promised to make me rich.” His quest leads him to the studio of Jaafar El-Hazred, played by artist Tarik Sadouma.
The film takes a bizarre turn when Jaafar El-Hazred reveals he has 3D scans of Michel Houellebecq’s body, who as we all know, is a world-famous French writer, notorious for his inflammable views on Islam. El-Hazred expresses a desire to do something similar with Hans Teeuwen, framing him as an Islamophobe. He dismisses Khani’s poster campaign, suggesting a darker plan—targeting Teeuwen’s “bunny,” a seemingly censored reference. Sina Khani refuses, unwilling to cross that line.
Tarik Sadouma, formerly with controversial art collective Keeping It Real Art Critics, expresses regret over the dispute with comedian Hans Teeuwen, but also with the censorship.
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Andere Krant, Sadouma admits, “I understand Hans’ sensitivities,” and acknowledges that the conflict, involving provocative humor, is meant as “a cry for real contact.” He praises Teeuwen’s “bold jokes about Muslims,” emphasizing that such humor, when reciprocated, can foster brotherhood.” Sadouma also discusses integrating Teeuwen’s work into a Muslim art context as a way to introduce “fresh air” and promote better handling of teasing. Despite the controversy, he remains appreciative of the insights gained from Teeuwen and his art.
In response, Steven Bos from The Creeps from the Middle East has told De Andere Krant, “We hope Teeuwen understands that it was meant as a joke. We have since edited the scene to address his concerns.”
Despite this, film director Martin Koolhoven, internationally known for Schnitzel in Paradise (2005), Winter in Wartime (2008), and Brimstone (2016), feels the film’s portrayal of Islamophobes is problematic and potentially harmful, referencing Hans Teeuwen’s connection to the murder of his friend Theo van Gogh by Islamist extremist Mohammad B. over the film ‘Submission’. Sina Khani later clarified in a phone conversation with Feltenink.com (HIYA) that he had contacted Teeuwen before the film’s release. And that he had sent Teeuwen a message and a copy of the film, seeking his approval and offering to make changes if necessary. Sina Khani emphasizes that the film was intended as a “tribute and a bromantic gesture.“
However, Hans Teeuwen’s potential legal action remains a possibility, and the dispute between him and the filmmakers continues to evolve and may have drastic consequences for the Dutch art and comedy world.
The revised version of ”Looking for Hans“ is now available.
Creeps From The Middle East is created by Steven Bos, Sina Khani & Susan Lanting.
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WORDS BY ANTHONY JOHNSON
