CANNES L'ATELIER '06 INTERVIEW: Bernard Bellefroid: "When you are living in a world full of violence, you can only resist by observing."

Please tell us about your new project. What is it about and what inspired you to pursue this new project?

“La Regate” tells the story of Alexandre, a 15 years old teenager living with his father in a world of domestic violence. To escape this never-ending daily routine, Alexandre sails on the Meuse and has only one obsession: winning at any price the Belgium rowing championships. Meanwhile, back at the supermarket, his father is progressively humiliated, morally harassed and fired right in front of Alexandre, who is offered his father’s job. As of this instant, the violence between Alexandre and his father grows and grows. Beaten, but not yet down for the count, Alexandre finally reaches the Belgian championships, thanks to his friendship with Tarik, his team-mate with whom he rows together in the same boat. He will discover love as well with Murielle, even if he has to learn it all over again. Learning once more to speak, learning to cry. For he who never weeps, never truly lives…

I know well Alexandre. I’ve long looked at the world through his eyes. Like him, I long lived under conditions of so-called domestic violence, private and hidden. Today, Alexandre is no more than a character, who lives inside me and whose representation is intimately obvious to me. With this film, it is a question, for me, of describing a system where intimate violence and violence of the world are not disassociated, but rather interpenetrate one another. It is equally a question of reflecting on the transmission of violence, asking oneself if we can interrupt the cycle of violence, if it is possible to put a halt to the tragedies from which we emerged.

What do you hope to accomplish for the project while you are in Cannes? What are your specific needs to continue developing your new project?

Having completed the project’s development, we now hope to find financial partners to finish the production. It is our strength in Belgium that we are always obliged to work within different cultures (French, Flemish, and German). We never make a Belgian film, but rather international films finding their public inside and outside our borders. This is why we hope to find international partners for this film as well.

What are some of your favourite movies and influences, including other films and filmmakers, as well as other creative influences? Which films are you most interested in seeing at this years Festival?

I do not have any particular influences; I have never been a big cineaste. In my opinion, it is not a good idea to idealize other filmmakers when you are yourself making movies. Nevertheless, I will closely watch the new film of Kaurismaki, whose work I really appreciate. But overall, I am open for all the positive surprises waiting for me.

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