15/05/2008

A supermarket car park, a minor car crash and a thundering argument between a woman left by her husband and a stubborn lorry driver, a former alcoholic whose only reminder of his ex-partner is a tattoo ("Natalie Forever"): this is the start of a “romance” between two characters who are bruised and yet full of life. Flemish film thus made a competitive comeback today in the Critics’ Week at Cannes, where it has not made an appearance since 1995.

The title in question is Christophe Van Rompaey’s debut feature Moscow, Belgium [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which has enjoyed enormous success in Belgium since the start of 2008.

A blend of romantic comedy and family-social drama, the film is set in a working-class suburb of Ghent, more specifically in Moscow in Ledeberg.

The film derives much of its dynamism from the performance of its star: Barbara Sarafian. She plays the protagonist Matty, a woman in her forties who battles with everyday life, including her job at the post office, her three children (aged 12 to 17) and her husband (Johan Heldenbergh), who is infatuated with a young woman and whose return she awaits unenthusiastically. The actress brings an infectious energy to the film, which is co-written by Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem and Pat Van Beirs.

Jurgen Delnaet plays Johnny, a flirty 29-year-old lorry driver, who is crazy about Italy and ready to do all kinds of outrageous things in the name of seduction. Matty’s hesitancy about starting a real love affair or returning to married life results in a film full of amusing dialogues and situations.

Defusing drama and emotions, Van Rompaey’s approach is one of optimism tempered with humanity, as he tenderly observes the contradictions and weaknesses of Matty and her two men. This tone of empathy is heightened by a profound anchoring in the local Flemish context (family dinners with black puddings, waterzoi and charcoal-grilled meat) and the presence of the children who move the plot forward.

Above all, the film is the portrait of a woman and a bittersweet comedy whose simple and universal subject matter is explored using realistic cinematography by DoP Ruben Impens.

The title was produced by Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem for Ghent-based company A Private View for an overall budget of €945,000. This included backing from the VAF (Flemish Audiovisual Fund) and private television network VTM.

Moscow, Belgium is being sold internationally by German company Bavaria.

(Translated from French)