Wan Pipel

Wan Pipel (Sranan Tongo for "One People") is a 1976 Surinamese film directed by Pim de la Parra. It is considered a landmark film in Surinamese cinema and a significant work of postcolonial Caribbean filmmaking.

The film explores themes of cultural identity, race, class, and the complexities of Suriname's multiethnic society. It tells the story of Roy, a young Surinamese man of mixed Creole and European descent, who is studying in the Netherlands. He returns to Suriname upon his mother's death and is confronted with the expectations and traditions of his family and community.

Roy becomes involved with Rubia, an Indian Surinamese woman, and their relationship challenges societal norms and prejudices. The film portrays the tensions and divisions between different ethnic groups in Suriname, highlighting the enduring legacy of colonialism and the search for national unity.

Wan Pipel is notable for its use of authentic Surinamese settings, its multilingual dialogue (including Sranan Tongo, Dutch, and Hindi), and its exploration of taboo subjects. While controversial upon its release, it is now recognized as a classic of Surinamese cinema and a powerful statement on the search for identity in a postcolonial world. The film helped pave the way for more Surinamese filmmakers to tell their own stories and represent their culture on screen.