jarno-maertens

In recent years we had a lot of Flemish films trying to be American thrillers, yet this film preserved the 'Flemish' focusing on ordinary people in their ordinary environments. "Brabançonne" is occasionally a real Belgian joke in the positive sense of the word. Sometimes the story is a bit predictable, but marketed well the expectations a definitely set. "Brabançonne" delivers on every level.

The moment the movie starts you immediately get used to the Flemish and Walloon classic songs, used very effectively in this film. Sometimes you could be worried director Bal went overboard with it, but in the end he never loses focus and everything comes together in a beautiful and overplayed ending bringing nice relaxing and digestible entertainment for all movie and music lovers.

Everybody Happy is after Ben X and Tot Altijd again a film that hopes to keep on with realistic tragedy, but especially easy to swallow and does not want to be too confrontational. Depression is grim, oppressive and hopeless. That Everybody Happy isn't at any time. You see the calculated attention to narrative structure, the evolution of characters, the attention to secondary characters, the humor as a diversion.

Then again life is not always funny. Difficult sometimes. People criticize what you do. Friends, family and colleagues. Worse, often the critic is yourself. What a relief to see how it can break out. After you can think about 'I can do this. " This I do. And now. The film shows a great way to see how you can show what you really stand for. Apart from all those prejudices. Apart from all these doubts. Tearful during this film. Happiness then. Because it's possible. Because it can. Because we are much more than we ever dared believe.

Suicidal teens, depressed mothers, manic ladies, the gap between rich and poor, the global warming, the destruction of the world in general: the Belgian film Vincent has all the dark themes. Screenwriter-producer Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem, has in his life and career made a point to find the sun behind the most menacing clouds. He makes no exception this time. 'Vincent' seeks a balance between emotional drama and humor jolly. the first gets remarkably well done, thanks to a rich narrative pace and certainly a strong group of actors. Protagonist Spencer Bogaert confirms his talent, Geert Van Rampelberg gives color to the one-dimensional Raf and Barbara Sarafian was as mother Marianne perfect. The nonsense that everything must be put into perspective however, affects less goal. And so 'Vincent' unfolds in the film he at the end of the ride actually always wanted to be: entertaining and smooth, but also harmless and perfect 'middle of the road'.