Holy Night Lonely Lights (2017)

Directed by: Matthew Noydens | 13 minutes | drama, short film | Actors: Erik van Herreweghe, Rasim Asan, Bamidele Babatunde ​

It’s Christmas Eve. Three men from different backgrounds wander through the night in Antwerp in search of entertainment and distraction. They visit a chilly strip club, an Asian karaoke bar and an authentic Belgian pub. Slowly they meet themselves and one by one someone remains behind in the lonely night.​
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It’s obvious that there’s a deeper thought behind ‘Holy Night Lonely Lights’, but it’s hard to put your finger on it.​ As if “the meaning” is on the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t get it come. Also the opening scene in which you see a living Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus portrayed in a shop window.​
The three men look at it and Maria looks back with her radiant blue eyes.​ Does this film tell a biblical story? Should the three men, who walk in slow motion through the dark night, represent the three kings?
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In the karaoke bar, one of the men gets drunk, which ends in an ambulance ride. The other two wander on.​ In the typical Belgian pub, one of the two men is being seduced by an older lady. He also stays behind, but the other one continues. He descends on a bench, but is harassed by three young girls. They attack him with the heels of their pumps and leave him bleeding in the snow.​
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In general, it is good to put the viewer to work, instead of giving everything on a silver platter.​ Still, ‘Holy Night Lonely Lights’ is confusing and leaves you with an alienating feeling. The title is easy to understand – the sacred part is very explicit and the loneliness is also evident – ​​but the conclusion is not reached. The cinematography is atmospheric and professional, but unfortunately that is not enough.​