Five Benelux films to tempt festival directors in 2019

The Bay Of Silence (UK-Neth)

Dir: Paula van Der Oest
Claes Bang, Olga Kurylenko and Brian Cox star in the new film by prominent Dutch filmmaker Paula van Der Oest, whose film Zus & Zo was nominated for the foreign-language Oscar in 2001. The family drama is based on Lisa St Aubin de Terán’s novel of the same name about a man who begins to suspect his wife may be involved in their son’s murder. Intl sales: International Film Trust 

Instinct (Neth)

Dir: Halina Reijn
The feature debut of actress turned director Halina Reijn is an uncompromising drama about a prison psychologist, played by Carice Van Houten, who begins an affair with a serial rapist. The film co-stars fast rising young Dutch actor Marwan Kenzari and is now in post-production. It is produced by Amsterdam-based Topkapi Films.
Contact: Topkapi Films 

Ahmed (Bel-Fr)

Dirs: Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne
The 11^th joint feature by the Belgian Dardenne brothers is a contemporary tale about a Belgian teenager who plots to kill his teacher after embracing an extremist interpretation of the Koran. Wild Bunch head Vincent Maravel told Screen, “A strong aspect of the script is the way it opens a debate around the interpretation of the Koran by a young kid under influence.” Intl sales: Wild Bunch 

Patrick (Bel)

Dir: Tim Mielants
Bullhead producers Savage Film back the debut feature by Tim Mielants, who has worked on TV series such as Peaky Blinders and The Terror. The comedy stars Kevin Janssens as a man who works at his father’s naturist campsite but after his father’s death he goes on am existential quest to find a missing hammer. The cast also includes Flight Of The Conchords star Jemaine Clement. Patrick had Connext 2018 buzzing, as it won the Work In Progress Award there. Contact: Beta Cinema 

Tench (Bel-Neth)

Dir: Patrice Toye
Veteran Belgian director Patrice Toye, whose credits include Rose and Little Black Spiders, returns with this paedophile-themed drama. The footage shown at Connext 2018’s works in progress event intrigued the festival programmers present. The story is about a young man who returns from prison to his small village, where he struggles with his desires for his 10-year-old neighbour. Tench is produced by Antonino Lombardo of Prime Time. Contact: Prime Time

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