Zillion

What a movie....because I'm old and lived through these years, it gets to my nostalgia. I did not really frequent the club, but did celebrate one New Year's eve there...and later on, my fraternity ('studentenclub' - more girls than boys haha, but didn't know how to put that in English) had quite some parties there (with women swimming in the tank - luckily we had 2 sisters doing synch swimming competively)). The overall feeling for the scenes inside the club are spot on....back then it was awesome...and the movie portraits that very well - moving stages, light shows, it was awesome.

Acting is perfect imho...of course I never met Frank so I cannot judge...I did encounter Dennis a few times...especially when he got refused from the club I worked back then.

All in all...great movie with great acting...but...do I find this movie great purely because I've been there and watched the glory Zillion was....or because it's a great movie? Bit of both I think....at least the score is AWESOME!!

Edit: Brigitta Callens (Charlotte in the movie) was not the girl to set up stuff like that...Brigitta used to frequent the club I worked in without having Frank spying on her....but then again, what does the floor ppl know what's really going on behind the scenes...

Zillion," directed by Robin Pront, is a captivating film that vividly recreates the rise and fall of one of Belgium's most legendary nightclubs. Set in the vibrant 1990s, the movie centers around the infamous Zillion club, known for its extravagant parties, cutting-edge music, and its controversial owner, Frank Verstraeten.

Plot and Setting

The film's narrative is gripping, following Frank Verstraeten, portrayed with remarkable intensity by Matteo Simoni, as he transforms Zillion into the epicenter of European nightlife. The storyline deftly balances Frank's ambition and the excesses that come with it, presenting a raw, unfiltered look at the hedonistic lifestyle of the era. The club scenes are electrifying, filled with pulsating energy and a sense of euphoria that makes the audience feel as if they are part of the revelry.

Character Performances

Matteo Simoni delivers a standout performance, capturing both the charisma and the darker, more obsessive sides of Verstraeten. His portrayal is nuanced, making the character compelling and, at times, sympathetic despite his flaws. Supporting roles, including Charlotte Timmers as Vanessa, bring depth to the film, highlighting the personal and professional relationships that defined Verstraeten's turbulent journey.

Direction and Cinematography

Robin Pront's direction is masterful, skillfully blending high-octane party scenes with quieter, more introspective moments. The cinematography by Robrecht Heyvaert is stunning, using a vibrant color palette that reflects the club's neon-lit world. The camera work is dynamic, immersing the viewer in the frenetic pace of the nightlife while also capturing the emotional undercurrents of the characters' lives.

Music and Soundtrack

The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a mix of classic '90s techno and contemporary tracks that pay homage to the club's musical legacy. The music not only enhances the film's atmosphere but also serves as a driving force in the storytelling, reflecting the highs and lows of Zillion's existence.

Themes and Impact

"Zillion" explores themes of ambition, excess, and the fleeting nature of fame. It delves into the dichotomy of success and the personal cost that often accompanies it. The film also serves as a cultural time capsule, capturing the spirit of the '90s rave scene and its lasting impact on nightlife and music culture.

Conclusion

In "Zillion," Robin Pront has crafted a visually arresting and emotionally engaging film that chronicles the rise and fall of a nightlife empire. With standout performances, particularly from Matteo Simoni, and an evocative soundtrack, the movie is a nostalgic yet cautionary tale about the allure of power and the dangers of unchecked ambition. For those who remember the era or are fascinated by nightlife history, "Zillion" is a must-watch.

After "Les Ardennes" that I liked very much at the time Robin Pront returns with Zillion, the incredible biopic on a nerd who plunges into the world of the night through a success story that will make little echo to those who loved "The wolf of wall street". I don't know the character, I don't know if it's faithful, but the film is really great.

Overexcited and overexcited like his eccentric character, welcome in the Belgium of the 90s, the film is a real blast that takes off at 100 per hour. Difficult to be bored, the characters are a treat, the story is hallucinating and the staging is very nice. The feeling that emerges for me is a real plunge into a world of madness, decadent, immoral, voyeur but so enjoyable.

The actors are very good, the light and the music are excellent, the editing is thundering, a beautiful surprise that certainly looks like a roller coaster and whose inevitable decadence is both tragic and pathetic, a story of friendship and opportunism, filled with characters as endearing as decadent. Like Boogie Night in a little less trash anyway, the trip is as terrible as exciting.

The Zillion movie is certainly not a bad movie, but there is just way to much thuggery and fiction in it. Form about 1:06:00 the movie became more unbelievable by the second. The problem with this is that nightlife has an image that is absolutely false. Of course things happened that were absolutely not right as for example the war of the bouncers, but this problem was not a problem of zillion only. If the real owner of Carré was the slighest bit as in the movie, Carre would not still be operational on the date this is written and closed down decades ago.

Of course the movie does have good positives as well. The scene of the opening of Zillion and the music did sent shivers down my spine and brought me back to a time that has past a very long time ago.

I personally think It's a true shame the movie didn't stick more to the facts as known of today. It would have made a far better bio-pic then it is now and is this not exactly what it claims to be?

The film, based on real events, tells the story of the Zillion Club and its owner, Frank Verstraeten. The club was popular in Belgium in the 2000s. Frank was a promising and forward-thinking IT specialist who wanted to conquer the world through his intelligence, ambition, and hidden complexes.

The tools and initial motivation already hint at how this story will end. There is a theory, and perhaps some research, that serious success is achieved by people who can be described as psychopaths. They lack compassion, are selfish, arrogant, and willing to go to any lengths to achieve their goals. But what is their purpose?

Psychopaths are usually people who become psychopathic, not those who are born that way. The roots of this go back to childhood, when misfortune in the family, bullying at school, or some other trauma forces the mind to change direction. Most often, this becomes a negative motivation in the future - to be better than others (in our case, to prove that Frank is "higher" than others). This can be done in different ways - becoming richer, having a beautiful wife, gaining power.

This can be seen in the film, where the main character achieves his goals with people, which helps him for his own personal reasons. His mother tries to realize herself in her son, giving everything she has for the sake of his success. The most beautiful girl in Belgium becomes his wife, not out of love, but because she is the best - as a thing. The wife herself does this because she is fleeing from the influence of her father's despot. A friend in the porn business becomes a profitable ally. And the club was created.

Since the initial motivation is rather low, the goals stop there. There is no development. And then it turns out that the complexes did not disappear anywhere, personal problems did not evaporate. They were drowned out by the desire to reach the goal, and when the goal was achieved (the goal was to realize the ambition to become higher than others), everything returned with a new wave. Suspicions from nothing to do and betrayals - the union became unprofitable, and everyone began to suffer from garbage.

All because negative motivation, although it can effectively lead to the goal, but these goals are limited and low - having a club and such a wife, the main character was already better and more statuesque than everyone else. Why develop further? The intoxication of success leads to failure, and the whole system collapses. Although, it would seem, with so much money and influence, it would be possible to do a lot of things instead of suspecting everyone. But there is no. This is the fate of psychopaths. Hostages of complexes that are both a gift and a curse.

The film is worth watching if you are in a philosophical mood and want to think about the basics of the universe and the behavior of primates around us. The film tries to show reality as it is, although we already see it every day, so I can't say what exactly the artistic value of the film and its meaning are, except to think about what drives us and what it can lead to. It is worth noting the camerawork, color exposure, and overall atmosphere - they pull out the situation much better.