Cargo (2017)

Directed by: Gilles Coulier | 91 minutes | drama | Actors: Sam Louwyck, Wim Willaert, Sebastien Dewaele, Josse De Pauw, Wennie De Ruyck, Gilles De Schryver, Koen De Sutter, Mieke Dobbels, Luc Dufourmont, Roda Fawaz, Mathias Sercu, Roland Van Campenhout, Chiel Vande Vyvere, Miguel Martins

In this atmospheric drama with taciturn fishermen who resemble the singer of Triggerfinger, the icy long wait for an explosion by Jean (Sam Louwyck), head of a family business who is hit by an accident at sea, which leaves father in a coma and the company must be sold. Nothing much happens in ‘Cargo’ anymore, but that’s not the point. The film is an emotional journey with the main character. Jean has a son (Chiel Vande Vyvere) whom he apparently raises alone, brother Francis (Wim Willaert) has a secret lover, the only thing that stands out is that there are no women in ‘Cargo’. But that only adds to the special atmosphere.

The whole film seems to take place in the twilight, as if life itself is a trip through the semi-darkness. Waiting for Godot for people with a destined mission: work or die. Jean is an authentic main character, the white hardworking man who is overtaken by time. A man who can shut up so loudly that all you hear is background noise, like in a scene where he stares straight ahead from behind the wheel of a truck for seconds. That is also the credit of debuting director and screenwriter Gilles Coulier, who won the screenplay prize at the International Film Festival of Thessaloniki with ‘Cargo’.

The scenario is not even the strongest point of ‘Cargo’. Admittedly, there is black and white photography that would achieve a similar effect in the portrayal of this Ostend fishing community, but the dreary atmosphere that radiates from these static lives can be enhanced with moving images and sound (juicy West Flemish). ‘Cargo’ does not only have a documentary character, the moody soundtrack by Liesa Van der Aa and the playing of Louwyck (Windman from ‘Any Way the Wind Blows’) are too strong for that. Just play someone who is proud, lethargic and desperate, yet still standing. Louwyck does it.