Anvers (2009)

Directed by: Martijn Maria Smits | 40 minutes | drama, short film | Actors: Thomas Ryckewaert, Daphné Verhelst, Voss Ryckewaert-Verhelst, Ron Cornet, Katelijne Damen, Marc Moens, Reinhilde Decleir, Karolien De Beck, Bart Vanbuel, Lucas van Overbeeke

Look, there’s no such thing as a happy ending anyway, so ‘Anvers’ doesn’t surprise you in that respect. The only question is how deep will the two go: Will they split up, and if so, how many unscathed will they get off, or will they stay together? Martin and Jasmijn are a couple that doesn’t seem to fit well together anyway, even if they had a well-filled pouch, you can’t imagine them as a happy couple. In any case, the two have not eaten cheese from communicating, but they do know that that is what is wrong with it.

What is clever about Martijn Maria Smits (1977), who not only wrote the screenplay for ‘Anvers’, but also directed it, is that the viewer’s sympathy does not come to lie especially with one of the two ruffs. You go a long way in Jasmijn’s feelings, because she does have a job and cares about son Voss. It is logical that she then becomes angry when she finds out that hubby has not registered as a job seeker at all. But when Martin then physically returns her slap, and she goes all the way during that fight, you let those feelings of understanding go (especially if she seems to forget her son – unlike Martin -). Why can’t he hit her: she started, didn’t she? Of course violence is not acceptable in any relationship, but the adage ‘where two fight, two are to blame’ applies here too. Martin offers his apologies quite immediately in this argument and seems to want to make an effort to talk. but Jasmine is still too hysterical. And despite the fact that you can’t help but disapprove of Martin’s actions when he smashes things up in his old apartment, because he can’t stand that the new residents seem to have everything together, and you prefer to kick him under his immature buttocks, you hope that things will still be okay for both people: as long as they can talk to each other about their feelings, then it should work out, right?

For a moment it seems to be going in the right direction, and you see something of the “old” Jasmine and Martin (although you never knew him), when they frolic in a parking lot with water during a weekend away, but the end is short unsurprisingly unavoidable. Thomas Ryckewaert (Martin) and Daphné Verhelst (Jasmijn), known in Belgium as the theater duo Wolff, are well matched and well attuned to each other. They manage to give a very realistic and dejected look into the lives of a couple of lovers who you wonder if it will ever be okay, but actually already know the answer.

‘Anvers’ was made as part of One Night Stand, in which young filmmakers get the chance to showcase their talent. The film is successful because of the strong acting and the documentary-like images. The camera is close to the actors’ skin and this causes an uneasy feeling for the viewer. It’s nice that it’s “just a movie”, but gripping when you consider that there are similar situations in countless places – in your hometown alone.