Jan Janszoon - pirate of the world is a four-part documentary series by the NTR (National Dutch Broadcasting Company) about the crazy life of Jan Janszoon, a fearless Haarlem privateer from the 17th century who is causing a furore in North Africa. The story is so bizarre you'll think it's made up. But it all really happened.

Abdelkader Benali is the narrator, Hotel Modern creates historical scenes with live animations and brings this history to life. Jan Janszoon leaves his family, converts to Islam and becomes a pirate and trader in European slaves, as well as a diplomat, admiral and governor. In North Africa, he adopts a new name, Mourad Raïs, and under that name he will make a name for himself, but he will also sow fear and disgust.

In this excerpt narrator Abdelkader Benali brings a visit to the studio where Hotel Modern is working on new live-animation scenes for the serie Jan Janszoon.

Jan Janszoon was broadcasted on NPO2 (National Broadcasting Organisation) in februari and march 2024. In the Netherlands one can look all the 4 episodes back via this link: NPO Start.

• Reviews & articles

• Tourdates Jan Janszoon – pirate of the world

• View all our tourdates in the agenda

• Makers

• Director: Marcel Goedhart

  Narrator: Abdelkader Benali

  Live animation: Hotel Modern (Herman Helle, Arlene Hoornweg, Pauline Kalker)

  Jan Janszoon: Aus Greidanus sr.

  Liesbeth: Gaite Jansen