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On this page: JULIE KEEPS QUIET

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 23.Apr.25

Julie Keeps Quiet Julie Zwijgt
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir Leonardo van Dijl
scr Leonardo Van Dijl, Ruth Becquart
prd Gilles Coulier, Gilles De Schryver, Wouter Sap
with Tessa Van den Broeck, Ruth Becquart, Koen De Bouw, Pierre Gervais, Claire Bodson, Grace Biot, Alyssa Lorette, Laurent Caron, Noah Lecloux, Luca de Maar, Qays Jahier, Tommy Buyl
release Bel 18.Sep.24,
US 28.Mar.25, UK 25.Apr.25
24/Belgium 1h40

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Skilfully shot in a strikingly stark style that fine-tunes our attention into each scene, this Belgian drama allows its darker themes to emerge gradually and almost insidiously. Taking the perspective of a teen girl, director Leonardo van Dijl observes details with an eagle eye, catching information the characters haven't yet noticed. It's a strikingly low-key, visually inventive film that tells its story through in an unusually vivid way.

At an elite tennis academy, the students are thrown when coach Jeremy (Caron) is suddenly suspended after a classmate's suicide. The highest-ranked teen, Julie (Van den Broeck), is annoyed that she now has to train with assistant coach Backie (Gervais) for an upcoming tournament. So she secretly keeps in contact with Jeremy, who protests his innocence and insists that he'll be back soon. But while other students speak to officials who are investigating him, Julie opts out. Her parents (Becouart and De Bouw) support her decision, but this causes worries for school director Sophie (Bodson).

There's a still, sharp tone to the film that adds an almost documentary sensibility, even as a strong sense of drama churns underneath. Key details add to the realism, such as how Julie repeatedly watches a video her late classmate made, looking for clues. But Julie completely internalises her feelings about this situation, only asking a few questions while quietly moving on with her development as a rising star competitor. So it's chilling to see the way this situation develops around her.

As Julie, Van den Broeck has terrific presence on-screen, bringing out Julie's internal struggle as she becomes the centre of attention. This only reminds her that she's from a working class family, unlike her wealthy teammates. While being very hard on herself, her stoic face says everything, as she listens to others speak while grappling with internal feelings she simply can't express. The people around her remain deliberately outside her focus.

This is a fascinating look through the point of view of a young person who has plenty of people who want to help her talk through a serious issue, but she instead decides to hold it inside. Seeing Julie's struggle, her mother whispers, "I can't help you if you won't talk to me." It's difficult to watch this young woman try so hard to deal with such a significant situation on her own terms. And the film's honesty and artistry make it powerfully important.

themes, language 20.Apr.25

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL