Never (2017)

Directed by: Lieven Vanhove | 16 minutes | short film, drama | Actors: Geert Van Dyck, Sarah Eisa

A man and a woman live in a surreal and mysterious landscape, separated from each other by a dangerous-looking sea. He is in a ruined house, she in a lighthouse, on a rock that has seen better days. The ceiling of the man’s house is covered with birdcages, which he fills with the birds that she somehow conjures up from her chest and sends to him. It is the only form of communication between the couple, but that there is much more going on than can be seen on the surface, is clear in ‘Nimmer’, a fascinating short film by Lieven Vanhove.

‘Nimmer’ was shot in breathtaking black and white by Mark van Acker, who, strangely enough, created a furore with a whole series of Studio 100 productions (K3, Kabouter Plop, those kinds of films). This is undoubtedly his most artistic and visually appealing work. The actors are real, the rest is CGI. It is a wonderful world, but one that convinces and intrigues.

Debut director and screenwriter Lieven Vanhove worked on this film for no less than six years. ‘Never’ is full of symbolism and you can see all kinds of things in it. A broken marriage? Or is she perhaps ill (breast cancer?) and he wants to save her at all costs? Very nicely made. It is to be hoped that Vanhove’s next film, when it comes, will not be delayed for six years.