Passing By

Passing By is a short, humorous portrait of the Dutch racing driver Ben Pon. Born in 1936, this wealthy son of a Volkswagen importer once raced in Formula One and also competed in the 1972 Olympics clay pigeon shooting event. Director and sports journalist Trino Flothuis follows him throughout a year in which just about everything goes wrong and he loses his appetite for racing. Footage shot on and around the circuit is juxtaposed with scenes of Pon’s private life and his love for hunting. The film’s protagonist is blasé about his talents and successes, but his fellow sportsmen shower him with praise. In the words of racing driver Tonio Hildebrand, "Pon is a true racer; unlike your average professional driver of today he doesn’t shun the occasional drink and beer – he’s a bit tubby – but he’ll still grab his opportunity to drive the fastest time on the Nürburgring." Perhaps the most striking aspect of the film is the fluid camerawork by Jan de Bont (Turkish Delight and The Fourth Man), who would later go to Hollywood to direct action movies such as Speed and Twister. During one particular interview, his camera drifts off to focus on the deeply plunging neckline of an interviewee – it’s a typical example of the free and nonchalant style of this documentary. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)