News

Lola And The Sea Photo: Az Movies

Belgian director Laurent Micheli's sophomore feature Lola And The Sea tells the story of a trans woman, Lola (Mya Bollaers), who reconnects with her estranged father Phillipe (Benoît Magimel), during a road trip to scatter her mother's ashes in the North Sea. The question at the heart of the story is whether he can finally accept Lola, which would be the most fitting act of remembrance to his wife, who supported her.

In conversation with Eye For Film, Micheli discussed not presenting a view of trans people as victims, and challenging his audience to understand the need for compassion and understanding.

Paul Risker: Why filmmaking as a means of creative expression? Was there an inspirational or defining moment for you?

Lola And The Sea Photo: Az Movies

Laurent Micheli: I never wanted to be a director. I've worked mostly as...

Lola and the Sea, eh? Trans girl at loggerheads with family. Mum dies. Father bars her from turning up at mum’s funeral. But girl still gets to dispose of ashes. Road trip with dad. Inevitable re-building of bridges and bonding over the final distribution.

Yeah. Something like that. It’s niche. But as tropes go, it has its place, this being the third, or maybe fourth film I have seen that follows this arc. It’s dark, at the outset: very dark, as it is pretty clear there is next to no love lost between Lola (Mya Bollaers) and disapproving dad, Philippe (Benoît Magimel). Lola throws a large solid object through the front window of Philippe’s shop: Philippe repays the favour by generally trying to cut Lola out of his life. Espesh for this last homeward bound with Lola’s mum.

Of course, circumstances are going to throw them together.

"What's important in life is that we believe in ourselves." Peccadillo Pictures has revealed the official UK trailer for an indie drama from Belgium titled Lola and the Sea, aka Lola vers la Mer in French. This first premiered at a few film festivals back in 2019, and is finally getting a UK release this year. It also stopped by a few other US festivals this year, including Frameline. 18-year-old Lola lives in a foster home with Samir, her only friend. When her mother passes away, her father Phillip makes sure Lola will miss the ceremony. Two years before, he was throwing her out: at the time, Lola was still Lionel. She won't leave her mother alone in this last journey. So they take off together, both unwilling to share a car but determined to take her home. Introducing Magritte Awards (Belgium's Oscars) Most Promising Actress winner Mya Bollaers in her debut.