Kind Hearts

“I wouldnt call it being in love. I love you, though.”

School ends, and big decisions are imminent: How best to use this long summer? Study where and what? Move in as a couple? Or perhaps share a flat with friends? The future seems full of promise. The relationship between Billie and Lucas, on the other hand, suddenly no longer feels exciting. It’s actually rather comfortable and familiar. Lucas just continues with his samples, and the performances with Charlotte. Billie is searching for something new. New habits, new feelings. What remains is the affection for each other. The directing duo Olivia Rochette and Gerard-Jan Claes fuses documentary and staged items in a fascinating way, casting a reflective look at the feelings, gestures and language of a first love.
by Olivia Rochette, Gerard-Jan Claes
with Billie Meeussen, Lucas Roefmans, Romane Van Damme, Charlotte Meyntjens, Rana Hamzaoui, Gaspard Renier, Victoria De Man
Belgium 2022 Dutch, English, French 87’ Colour World premiere | Documentary form recommendation: 14 years and up

With

  • Billie Meeussen
  • Lucas Roefmans
  • Romane Van Damme
  • Charlotte Meyntjens
  • Rana Hamzaoui
  • Gaspard Renier
  • Victoria De Man

Crew

Written and Directed by Olivia Rochette, Gerard-Jan Claes
Cinematography Olivia Rochette
Editing Dieter Diependaele
Sound Lennert De Taeye, Nina De Vroome
Producers Rasmus Van Heddeghem, Ruben Desiere
Co-Production Canvas Brüssel

Olivia Rochette

The director, cinematographer and co-founder of both the “Sabzian” online film magazine and the Avila streaming platform was born in Belgium in 1987. She collaborates as a filmmaker with Gerard-Jan Claes.

Filmography (co-director: Gerard-Jan Claes)

2010 Because We Are Visual 2012 Rain 2016 Grands travaux 2019 Mitten 2022 Kind Hearts

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2022

Gerard-Jan Claes

The filmmaker, lecturer, writer and co-founder of the online film magazine "Sabzian" and streaming platform Avila was born in Belgium in 1987. He has made five films in collaboration with Olivia Rochette. The pair has also worked together as video artists with the choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and her dance company, Rosas.

Filmography (co-director: Olivia Rochette)

2010 Because We Are Visual 2012 Rain 2016 Grands travaux 2019 Mitten 2022 Kind Hearts

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2022