FILM
BRUXELLES MA pouBELLE
Feature film • Psychological, Romantic drama • Belgium • French, Dutch, English • Pre production phase
Short synopsis
During their last night together on a hot summer’s night in Brussels, a couple attempts to save their relationship by creating a reconciliatory farewell before one of them leaves on an early flight for months. While one tries to escape expectations and future plans, the other seeks to recreate a cherished moment from their past, unaware of how his inner imagination intertwines the past and future, blurring the lines between truth and fiction with unforeseen consequences for their relationship.
Writer, director • Philippe van der Loo
Script & dialogue editor • Charlotte Zweers
Script editor • Hugo van der Loo
Premise
During a summer night in Brussels, Reinier tries to recreate a precious moment from the past to save his failing relationship, which ultimately succeeds when it turns out that this seemingly perfect farewell for him turned out to be a nightmare for Hannah.
Designing principle
Exposing the unreliability of memory by telling the story from two intertwined perspectives: objective reality and his memory of it. These viewpoints alternate chronologically, revealing the complex interweaving and mutual influence between memory, expectation and imagination of the character, with its perilous consequences.
Theme
If you remain fixated on a memory, clinging to it with nostalgia and longing, and begin to see this recollection as the absolute truth, it can have unforeseen consequences in a relationship.
Brussels
The city of Brussels is the perfect story world for this film about different perspectives since it has very strong contrasts. It can be messy and chaotic but also beautiful and charming. These two opposing sides are represented in the two perspectives: the chaos and overload of details in the reality. The clean, romantic aesthetics in Reiniers memory. At first glance, Brussels seems like a chaotic and dirty city. But if you open yourself up to it, you will be able to see the absurdity and unique character in it. While Hannah is able to do so and appreciates the city, Reinier is unable to do so.
