FILMS OF IJSBRAND
MICHAEL ROGGE ON DVD

Movies of the Far East of the nostalgic era of the fifties
and of two recent cruises

A sentimental journey back to an era definitely passed - before the building explosion began and tourism invaded its beautiful scenery and colorful customs and traditions.

DVD # 2 HONG KONG 1949/50. Black and white films originally on 9,5mm film size. The author follows a management course, then travels by slow boat to Hong Kong in 1949, just after WW2. Scenes of the British colony from 1949-51 as experienced by the author. His first car, the old waterfront, trips into the New Territories, cruises on water, HK Central and Sheung wan district, Kowloon, Ho Man Tin Hill. Visit to the Buddhist monastry on Lantau island before it was being rebuilt and a tour around the New Territories, walled city and beaches. 5 Chapters. Length: more than one hour. Excerpts of this DVD may be seen on YouTube (see below).

For Dutch readers: Televisie station RTV-NH heeft op 7 en 8 maart 2006 een interview en excerptie uit deze film uitgezonden. Die is hier te zien (klik)

Further video clips from this DVD:
Walking to the bank in Des Voeux Road 1949 (click)

DVD# 3 HONG KONG 1951/5

16mm colour films dating from 1952 to 1955. These films were recommended and won first prices in competitions.
This DVD comprises:
  • 1. SUNRISE, Hong Kong awakens (1953)
  • 2. Introducing HONG KONG. (1954)
  • 3. HK: around and about (1953). A day at the office. An office outing to the New Territories
  • 4. RAIN. An impression of Hong Kong during a cloud-burst. (1952)
  • 5. A cruise with ms ‘Ruys’ to Japan, Yokohama, Kansai, Mt.Rokko (1952)

HK Central and Sheung Wan, the waterfront, Aberdeen, typhoon, big Shek-Kip-Mei fire, the beaches, trips to the New Territories etc..Length: about one hour and twenty minutes.

Video clips from these films:

Typhoon in HK
To the beach

DVD 3A
TURN OF THE TIDE (16mm colour film, English spoken sound track) This semi-documentary colour film was produced in the Yaumatei Typhoon shelter in 1953. It shows the life of the Hakka boat people and their Chinese New Year celebrations and decorations. The shelter is gone now after being reclaimed . Length: 25 minutes. Note: The film has been added to DVD # 10, so you may prefer to chose that one instead.

DVD 4A. Hong Kong Coronation 1953 and TV film 1962

  1. Coronation festivities in Hong Kong in 1953, filmed by members of the HK Amateur Cine Club. Colour: 11 minutes.
  2. English version '3 Million Souls of Hong Kong', broadcast in 1962 by Dutch Television, showing various aspects of life in Hong Kong. Buddhist meeting, walled city, refugees, at sea on a junk, fishermen's wedding, Macau. Length 25 minutes. (A Dutch version of the above is available: '3 Miljoen Zielen van Hong Kong'.. Televisie zwart/wit documentaire uitgezonden in 1962 door de VPRO. Duur: 25 minuten

DVD # 8 TRIP TO HONG KONG 1964

(from 16mm colour films) A trip by my good but late friend Cees André de la Porte to a Jaycee congres in HK. He made an excellent movie for me of the colony in 16mm Kodachrome II at 24 f.p.s.. I have eliminated all scenes relating to the congress. A splendid colour film of all sites I did not cover in my own films. Length: Half an hour.

DVD # 5 Traveling to and thru Europe in 1955

(from 16mm colour films)
In 1955 the author visited Indonesia. Ramadan festivities showing past president Sukarno, Muh. Hatta and other functionaries, Beirut, when still a peaceful abode, Greece with the Acropolis, Great Britain, Paris and Amsterdam. Followed by a private movie he took of his touring by car thru Europe. Length about one hour.
Video clips of this film:
Paris 1955
President Sukarno arriving for Ramadan gathering in Djakarta

  • DVD # 7 JAPAN IN THE FIFTIES (from 16mm colour and B/W films)

    • Living traditions in modern Japan. Covering the Showa era 1955 - 58. With English commentary. Life in Japan fifty years ago.
    • Sincerely yours (Dutch: Met hartelijke groeten). A satire on daily life of a foreigner in Japan.
    • ZEN. From Shinto matsuri to Zen meditation. Amongst others the fight festival of Himeji and the life in a Zen monastry. English commentary. (black & white)

    Length: about one hour


    DVD # 9 People of Japan 1960

    Films produced and shown on television. Comprising of
    • Japan in the fifties. A 16mm black and white documentary of Japan in the late fifties with Dutch commentary.
    • Japan, old and modern. A colourful impression of Japan, filmed from 1959 to 1960.
    Length about one hour.
    Video clip of this documentary:
    Japanese tea ceremony
    Sumo wrestling at school for the blind, Osaka

    DVD # 10 VOYAGE FROM JAPAN TO MALAYSIA 1961

    Comprising of
    • Voyage from Japan to Malaysia. A from a 16mm colour film taken in 1961, showing a trip from Kobe to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Length 15 minutes
    • Malaysia. From a black and white television film taken in 1961, showing Port Swettenham, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore in the old days, with focus on street life and not the popular tourist spots. Length over 15 minutes.
    • TURN OF THE TIDE (16mm colour film, English spoken sound track) This semi-documentary colour film was produced in the Yaumatei Typhoon shelter in 1953. It shows the life of the Hakka boat people and their Chinese New Year celebrations and decorations. The shelter is gone now after being reclaimed . Length: 25 minutes.

    DVD # 11. Cruise to the Canarian Isles 2007

    A personal impression of the author's cruise to the Canarian isles in 2007 on the Maxim Gorki, calling also on Dover, Madeira, Terouant (Morocco) and Lisbon. Colour. Length 40 minutes.

    DVD # 12. Cruise to Norwegian Fjords by Costa Atlantica 2007

    A personal impression of the author's cruise to the Norwegian fjords in 2007 on one of the most luxurious cruise ships, the Costa Atlantica, calling on Flam, Geiranger, Andalsnes, Olden and other fjords as well as the city of Bergen. Then, crossing the North Sea to the Shetland isles, and Scotland. Colour 35 minutes.

    Video clips of selections of the abovementioned films may by seen at YouTube. For Hong Kong residents there is a special arrangement to obtain the HK DVD's locally at a reduced price. Ask for details.

    Comments received:

    • 'You have brought more joy into my life in a few minutes than most people do in a lifetime!'(USA)
    • 'I really enjoyed seeing your cine films and I am very impressed with the quality of the filming' (M.H., London)
    • 'Wonderful footage of old Hong Kong, which is quickly being demolished.' (G.K.H., Hong Kong)
    • 'I must tell you how impressed we are to see these high quality documentaries with powerful images.' (HK Govt. Archive)
    • 'My friend was very happy as your films showed a Hong Kong that he remembered but all too little is left of now.'(H.R., UK)
    • ' I and my wife enjoyed them very much and will take them to Hong Kong to show to friends.' (Ron J-S, France/HK)
    • 'I have played them with no problems and found them very interesting, bringing back many memories. Thank you for your prompt service.' (Michael, Dorset, UK)
    • 'It's really a very good piece of work, very neat and nice to hear.' (F.M., Macau)
    • 'Thank you for the Hong Kong 60's video. It brought back images from my childhood in HK. I was almost in tears.'(A.H.K.Gal, USA)
    • 'Absolutely fantastic. The guests were spellbound at the end of the movie.' (A.B., Hong Kong)
    • 'It is fantastic to see those old days in HK.' (H.T.W., Veldhoven, Netherlands)
    • 'The sights and sounds of HK in your videos are exactly what I saw! Thanks so much!! wonderful videos - keep up the good work!! (P.T.Vietnam)
    • 'Thank u very much indeed! You are great as you provide a time passage to bring me back to the old days and see the life of the people for this time being.' (E.L., Hong Kong)
    • 'This is really astonishing to all Hong Kong people who can now see their past, their childhood from your color movie, sure, all your collection and your name will go into the Hong Kong history museum, again, let us say thanks to you. '(Alex, HK)

    Dutch language video clips:

    Links:

    My photo's and those of my former colleague Hans Brinckmann have been shown in the Fujifilm Square Gallery "Photo IS": 'Showa Japan seen through Dutch Eyes' in September, 2008 at the Fujifilm's Headquarters in Tokyo. 49.000 visitors were recorded.
    In Hong Kong a collection of my photo's of Hong Kong Kong in the fifties was shown in the Tao Evolution Gallery from 17th March 2010. 13 Circular Pathway Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

    On the web since 1 October 2005, revised 1st of October 2016