Cast
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Jeroen Perceval
as Dave
Veerle Baetens
as Sylvie
Kevin Janssens
as Kenneth
Éric Godon
as Gérard
Jan Bijvoet
as Stef
Peter van den Begin
as Car Wash owner
Sam Louwyck
as Joyce
Viviane de Muynck
as Mariette
Rachid El Ghazaoui
as Chalid
Nico Sturm
as Danny
Luc Nuyens
as Moderator hulpgroep
Brit Van Hoof
as Cindy
Uwamungu Cornelis
as Chris
Caroline Stas
as Agente Linda
Jacqueline Pluche
as Politieagenten
Crew
Director
- Robin Pront
Writer
- Jeroen Perceval
Producer
- Bart Van Langendonck
Reviews
Reno
> The brotherhood is tested for a woman they're onto.
The Dutch crime-drama about two brothers, especially the plot revolves as a love triangle, but it is not a romance movie. The movie opened in the middle of some crime scene which is never going to be revealed what actually happened, because it wasn't important as the film's narration is something else. What comes later is the twist in the character's relationship with each other, especially between two brothers and a woman they're in love.
The actual story begins a few years later to that opening incident. Looks everything has changed at that point, except one of the brother who just stepped outside the prison. The remaining is all about the condition of the family and the romance relationship that appears to be complicated to explain to one another. When it begins to unfold, the final twist strikes which bring further complexity to the conclusion section.
Frankly, I did not like the first two acts. Actually, I expected it to be a crime story. With two tough characters the scenes did not create enough curiosity or the thrilling moments. But the third act is where the movie changed its pace as well as genre to what I was eagerly waiting for. Because of the decent developments in the earlier, this ending was so exciting. But overall product is just above average. That means it is not a bad flick, yet everyone's not going to like it.
6/10
Apr 14, 2016
CinemaSerf
"Kenny" (Kevin Janssens) and brother "Dave" (Jeroen Perceval) are involved in an abortive burglary that sees the latter escape leaving the former to spend the next four years in jail. When he is released, the siblings are reunited with their mother and for a while, bygones seem to be bygones with "Kenny" even seeming to forgive his ex "Sylvie" (Veerle Baetens) who now has a child and who has also taken up a job pole-dancing for a Moroccan night-club owner. It's round about now that we start to see some cracks appear in the brotherly relationship. "Kenny" finds out who the father of the child is, loses his temper, then things are exacerbated by some thugs who visit their workplace and one of those is accidentally killed. Unsurprisingly, they get fired and then have to take the corpse to the remote rural home of ex-cellmate "Stef" (Jan Bijvoet) and his pal "Joyce" (Sam Louwyck). Ostensibly they are just going to get shot of the body, but their relationship only gets worse and "Dave" begins to wonder if he can, actually, trust his brother. Robin Pront does try to mix up the narrative a bit, it's gritty and dark at times and I thought Janssens made a decent fist of his "Kenny" character. The rest of the film, though, isn't really up to much. The dialogue is strained and a bit contrived, the direction style staccato and it really falls to the eccentricities of "Stef" and "Joyce" to breath a little quirkiness into what is otherwise all just a bit of a dreary denouement. I didn't hate it, but I doubt I'd watch it again.
Apr 4, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Ardennes examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Robin Pront brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2015, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Ardennes took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $2.2 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 93 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 121 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The film contains approximately 2238 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2015, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Ardennes shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Hidden Agenda, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Ardennes subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like '71 and Chrome Soldiers explore similar territory, The Ardennes stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 14, 2015
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Budget: $2,200,000
- Revenue: $1,366,879
