The moment (2018)

Directed by: Matthew Noydens | 21 minutes | short film, drama | Actors: Robbie Cleiren, Sofie Sente, Luna de Boos, Luc Nuyens, Sara De Bosschere, Gert Portael, Koen Koninckx, Thomas Deknop, Nyla, Roan

The Flemish short film ‘The moment’ starts with a shot of a filled coffin. The way the man lies in it suggests that he is not really dead. His face is still the color of the living, the hands are folded slightly differently than usual, there are creases in his jacket that a funeral director had ironed out… The suspicions are correct and the man playing the corpse happily sits up and asks those present whether that music should not be a bit more cheerful.

As it later becomes clear, this man, Dirk (Robbie Cleiren), is planning his own funeral. Because he is still very much alive, and he is accompanied by a woman who has apparently made ‘this’ her profession, you can assume as a viewer that he chooses a self-chosen ending. ‘The moment’ is therefore somewhat reminiscent of ‘The surprise’, but the situation is simpler than that.

People plan so much in their lives, it is therefore strange that more people do not determine the circumstances of their death. At the same time, that is also very harsh to say – given the grief that accompanies suicide – for both the deceased and the next of kin. ‘The moment’ is therefore a film that you will watch with mixed feelings: it is without doubt a beautifully made drama, with a slightly comic touch, with moments of emotion (particularly between father and daughter), but also incomprehension. The latter is most likely due to the playing time. It feels as if there was a lot more story than finally ended up on screen.