Patrasche: A dog of Flanders

Patrasche, a Dog of Flanders - Made in Japan evokes several different (imaginary) representations of Flanders based on the novel. The story originally reflects the love of Ouida for dogs and art, being the owner of 15 dogs who received lobster for lunch. Yet the story is above all a British critique on Flanders as a barbarian, heartless and utterly unchristian place. By contrast, the Japanese perceive of a heroic and tragic Flanders through the story of Nello: he is the western samurai who dies with nobility and Patrasche is the symbol of friendship and loyalty, values, which are vital to the Japanese. In Flanders, Nello's noble way of dieing is no part of their cultural heritage. The film blends different visual styles. Starting from a small house in Flanders the author-narrator embarks on a virtual trip trough all the images created by the novel.