Ironic game show mocks failed asylum policy
Yesterday broadcaster VPRO aired a show called Weg van Nederland (which can mean either Away from the Netherlands, or Crazy about the Netherlands).
Contestants on the one-off game show from the public broadcaster VPRO, part of an annual week of experimental programmes, comprise five asylum seekers who have exhausted legal avenues to stay in the Netherlands and await imminent deportation to their country of origin.
They compete in a quiz about Dutch culture, history and language, with the winner awarded €4,000 (£3,500) to help cushion them when they are expelled. Consolation prizes include a bulletproof vest.
Excellent write-up, though I am not sure about the description of the “mini-skirted pastiche of air cabin crew uniforms”. To me those outfits look like sexed-up customs uniforms.
The paper quotes VPRO head Frank Wiering: “These days many asylum seekers who are being expelled have children who have lived in the Netherlands for eight years or more. They have had a good education, speak perfect Dutch and have only seen their country of birth on television. We believe it’s time to stop and think about this.”
See also “TV quiz for asylum seekers courts controversy” (Radio Netherlands).
Source trailer: Youtube / VPRO. Tip of the hat to Marijn.
The Netherlands is a sick country. It really needs help. Fast.
It’s purely entertainment, but it seems so humiliating to see people take these desperate measures just to survive in NL a few more months. Just waiting for the day when this kind of outrageous program is shown on US televisions.
What I meant was… to see people forced to humiliate themselves just to survive.