Julie zwijgt

Teenage tennis prodigy Julie is faced with a heavy dilemma in this gripping drama about internalised suffering and the need to stay in control. With his impressive debut feature, Belgian filmmaker Leonardo Van Dijl captures Julie’s silent anguish and laser-focused ambitions through strong, static, tension filled cinematography.

Julie is the star player at a prestigious tennis academy and her long-cherished dreams of going pro finally seem to be within arm’s reach. But, the hyper-ambitious teenager is secretly suffering. When an investigation is launched into the behaviour of her former tennis coach, Julie is faced with a painful dilemma: does she risk her career by sharing her story or does she quietly carry the heavy burden of her secrets? And, if she breaks her silence, how will it affect the career of her coach?

Newcomer Tessa Van den Broeck’s Julie says little, but communicates a lot. Her uncomfortable predicament is captured through her body language and strong and static shots that emphasise her growing sense of anxiety and isolation. With a cinematic precision that mirrors Julie’s athletic drive, the film tautly dissects how she secretly struggles to keep her footing. 

– Hugo Emmerzael

Trailer

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