FILM
BRUXELLES MA pouBELLE
Feature film • Psychological thriller, Romantic drama • Belgium • French, Dutch, English • Pre production phase
Logline
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
Status: Development finished, currently in Pre-production phase.
Synopsis
Hannah and Reinier, a couple in their early thirties, are facing a relationship crisis. They spend their last night together in Brussels before Hannah departs on an early flight the next morning for a year-long volunteering stint in South America. In a desperate attempt to salvage their relationship, Reinier tries to recreate a beautiful moment from their past. However, Hannah believes in the opposite: living in the present and avoiding any future expectations or plans.
Due to their conflicting views, Reinier’s plan backfires. Their night seems to end disastrously, and their relationship appears doomed. However, Reinier eventually manages to let go of his expectations, leading to a moment of reconciliation between them.
Designing principle
The film portrays their night in Brussels through two intertwined perspectives: objective reality and Reinier’s memories. These viewpoints alternate chronologically, revealing how Reinier’s inner imagination connects past, present, and future, with its perilous consequences.
As their last night Brussels progresses, the divergence between these perspectives becomes increasingly apparent. Reiniers’s internal narrative begins to unravel, exposing that what appeared to be a perfect farewell was, in fact, a nightmare for Hannah. Through this storytelling device, the film explores the underlying psychological reasons behind Reiniers’s perception.
Theme
If you remain fixated on your memories, clinging to them with nostalgia and longing, and begin to see these recollections as absolute truths, it can lead to significant consequences in your present life, particularly in your relationships.
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.