Lena (2011)

Directed by: Christophe van Rompaey | 119 minutes | drama| Actors: Emma Levie, Niels Gomperts, Jeroen Willems, Agata Buzek, Lisa Smit, Rifka Lodeizen, Clemens Levert, Lottie Hellingman, Blue Ter Burg, Ernst Dekkers, Kevin de Wit, Steef Cuijpers, Martijn Fischer, Jeroen Wolfs, Arie de Man, Ab Baars, Chiem Vreeken, Meinrad Kneer, Martin van Duynhoven, Susanne Op ‘t Hof

The drama ‘Lena’ is the second feature film by Fleming Christophe van Rompaey. First edition ‘Aanrijding in Moscou’ was a success beyond the Flemish borders. The subject of that film—two outcasts embarking on a doomed relationship—was anything but special. The special thing about ‘Aanrijding in Moscou’ was the authenticity of the characters: lifelike folk characters, blessed with an unintelligible Ghent accent.

Although the films differ from each other like night and day, the subject of ‘Lena’ is almost the same as that of ‘Accident in Moscou’. Two outcasts – a boy with a dead mother, a girl with an all-too-lived copy – fall in love and try to build a relationship. And then come the bumps.

In terms of psychological effect, ‘Lena’ is fine. We meet a plump girl who sees sex as change and as recognition of her existence. We see a boy who hides a world of sadness under all the mirth. It is almost inevitable that these young people fall in love with each other and get into a relationship.

But what gave ‘Collision in Moscow’ its charm, is missing in ‘Lena’. The title character lacks authenticity. Showy clothes and a hobby like line dancing do not make a character popular. The folk is in the details, and if you want to know how that works, look at Frank Lammers in ‘Nachtrit’ or Katie Jarvis in ‘Fish Tank’. The folk oozes out of every pore, from the restrained aggression and the blunt humor to the uninhibited social interaction. The inexperienced Emma Levie hardly notices this, and her accentless pronunciation doesn’t help either.

This lack of authenticity makes it difficult to believe in the characters and go along with the history of the two outcasts. Towards the end, it’s even impossible, when the story goes off the rails and is forced to end. What sticks then is an unorthodox picture format, some memorable scenes and the sad knowledge that there was much more to this drama.