Julia, an ambitious casting agent, relocates to Brussels after a break-up. Struggling to build a new life, she masks her insecurities behind a façade of success and happiness. She meets reclusive microbiologist Eliott and strikes up an unexpected, authentic friendship that inspires her to break free from societal expectations. This is the premise of Leni Huyghe’s Real Faces [+lee también:
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ficha de la película], which premiered at SXSW earlier this year and is set to have its European premiere at the upcoming Thessaloniki International Film Festival (30 October-9 November). The pic has been boarded by Brightfish for Belgian distribution, Cineuropa has learnt.

“I want to celebrate the actors in the film: Leonie, Gorges, Yoann, Joely, Karlijn, Warda, Misha and many others – almost all of whom live in Brussels, another character in this movie,” the helmer tells us. “The most thrilling aspect of filmmaking is bringing characters to life by drawing from real life. Watching actors shape their characters’ personalities is the most magical thing – it’s the reason I love making films. It’s up to the audience to bring their own ideas to it; it’s not a feature that offers answers. I mean, I still have a ton of questions about it myself. But I also hope the audience recognises the work that has gone into it, and that some of the ideas we’ve injected into it linger with them.”

The main cast includes Leonie Buysse, Gorges Ocloo, Joely Mbundu, Yoann Blanc and Karlijn Sileghem. Real Faces was produced by Belgian firms Mirage and Hélicotronc. Alief is selling the title internationally.

Check out our exclusive trailer below: