Jan De Deken is a Belgian documentary filmmaker, writer, journalist and founder of The Polar Project, a crossmedia platform that aims to build constructive, inclusive solutions on our biggest social and environmental challenges, including loss of biodiversity, climate change, inequality, mental health and loss of identity.
Currently his main works-in-progress are the documentary films Holy Ecstatic Sunday and Tipping Point, addressing the future impacts of climate change and the lack of political action to address this issue with the urge it needs.
Jan started his career as a freelance correspondent in Brazil, made documentaries in India, El Salvador, Zambia, Brazil, Alaska and Belgium, and wrote in-depth articles from 40 countries. He was among the first western journalists to report on the violence against the Rohingya minority in Burma, uncovered the commercial exploitation of rape victims in eastern Congo, and revealed Boko Haram violence in the Nigerian town of Chibok, concealed by the Nigerian army. His articles are published in the main quality news magazines in Belgium and The Netherlands, such as Knack, De Groene Amsterdammer, Vrij Nederland and Trouw. His documentaries are broadcasted on Belgian public television (Terzake, Vranckx).
In April 2018 Jan published the narrative non-fiction travel book 'Milk, Honey, Kerosine' (Querido), about his worldwide journey researching what makes people happy and unhappy in different cultures and life circumstances.
