Language x Power x Activism

When Jan Blommaert announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, some friends decided to do something. That something becomes this 50-minute web documentary: Language x Power x Activism.

A master class on language and inequality, against the background of Jan Blommaert's life and work. On language as the architecture of society and education as a weapon. About hope and social change. But also about the far-right, hopeful social movements and the role of the public expert.

A film by Pieter De Vos and Docwerkers, in collaboration with Epo, Victoria Deluxe and Diggit.

This project is an initiative of Ico Maly, former student and colleague of Jan Blommaert. He came knocking on our door with the idea of doing something, as there was no time to waste. At the end of August 2020, we dove into the studio for two days to converse for hours, surrounded by a battery of cameras. We got a Jan in grande forme. Despite his advanced illness, he gave the best of himself in his signature style.

To finish this footage into a full-fledged film, we asked for the public's support. Thanks to the financial contributions of hundreds of people from all over the world, more than 35,000 euros were raised. This covered a significant part of the costs.

'Language x Power x Activism' was introduced to the world with an online premiere via livestream. This happened in collaboration with dozens of trade unions, midfield organisations and faculties, who took over the livestream on their channels and organised events to watch the broadcast together.

Thousands of people, in Belgium but also elsewhere in the world, watched live. We ourselves gathered with some 200 close friends of Jan at cc De Nieuwe Vrede in Berchem.

Today the film lives on on Youtube, where it has already been viewed 20,000 times...