The documentary “Op Hete Kolen: Het Leven volgens Emile Ratelband” directed by Roy Dames, offers an astonishing glimpse into the life of Emile Ratelband, a multifaceted Dutch personality. Spread over three parts, this series dives into Ratelband’s complex world, from his controversial tactics in neurolinguistic programming and motivational speaking—famously getting people to walk over hot coals while shouting “Tjakka!”—to his role as an entrepreneur, author, and political figure.

Initially framing Ratelband’s desire for a documentary as a way to leave a legacy for his descendants, the film explores his acknowledgment of his “genius” and his impact. It traces his dramatic and often tumultuous public and private life, including various personal and legal challenges, and his eventual emigration to Thailand with his young son, amidst cryptic fears of impending national changes purportedly foreseen by him.

Beyond just a biography, the documentary appears to capture Ratelband in candid moments of both introspection and explosive personality shifts, revealing the layers and contradictions of his character. The narrative includes some eyebrow-raising moments, especially surrounding his quest to father a ninth child through unconventional means, adding an element of the bizarre to his already colorful life narrative.