The Weeping Walk

"Waarom Wettelen" presents an unconventional funeral, where family members, guests, and some professionals come together to fulfill Christine's unusual final wish: to be buried in Wettelen. An as yet unknown location.

Director Dimitri Verhulst, a well known Belgian writer, makes a strong debut, marked by a powerful and finely crafted script, which gradually immerses the audience into a surreal, darkly funny reality.

The film is humorous, poetic, and moving with grace. The cinematography beautifully captures the typically Belgian and atypical locations. I would definitely recommend thanks to Verhulst's fresh approach.

"Waarom Wettelen" had the potential to be a unique blend of dark humor and poignant storytelling, especially given Dimitri Verhulst's reputation as a critically acclaimed author and poet. Unfortunately, the film falls short of these expectations.

The premise, centered around absurd situations at a funeral, is intriguing, but the execution lacks depth and originality. While Verhulst's trademark sarcasm and witty one-liners shine in his books, they fail to translate effectively onto the screen. The humor feels dry, repetitive and often misses the mark.

Despite a promising setting and excellent performances of the cast that bring Flanders' rural characters to life, the film suffers from a lack of a coherent story to keep our attention until the end. After the first 45 minutes, it devolves into repetitive absurdities that feel uninspired.

Given Verhulst's earlier work, particularly the script for " De Helaasheid der dingen," it's disappointing to see such a lack of creative spark in his debut film. It's clear he is capable of much better storytelling on screen but we did not see it. Overall, "Waarom Wettelen" is a missed opportunity that leaves us longing for the wit and depth that Verhulst shares in his books and can undoubtedly achieve on a screen, but not in Waarom Wettelen.

The Weeping Walk (2024), previously known as Waarom Wettelen, is a remarkable achievement in storytelling and showcases the creative brilliance of director Dimitri Verhulst. This Belgian film skillfully blends humor and emotion into a narrative that's both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Verhulst is a celebrated Belgian author known for his novels, plays, poetry, lyrics, and screenplays. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Young Europeans Literature Prize, Libris, and Gouden Uil Boekenprijs. His works have been translated into 30 languages, and three of his books have been adapted into films: 'De Helaasheid der Dingen', 'Problemski Hotel', and 'Angel' (by Koen Mortier). A fourth adaptation, 'De Laatkomer', is currently in the works.

Under Verhulst's skilled direction, the film takes us on a visually captivating and emotionally rich journey. The cinematography beautifully showcases the rustic allure of the Belgian countryside, setting the stage for this unique funeral procession.

Peter Van den Begin shines as Bass, the grieving husband committed to fulfilling his wife's last wish. His performance captures the struggle of a man dealing with loss while also managing family dynamics and personal insights, making it both nuanced and deeply moving.

The script, written by Verhulst, is packed with clever dialogue and sharp observations about human nature. It delves into themes of love, loss, and the intricacies of family relationships with refreshing honesty and humor.

What makes The Weeping Walk stand out is its ability to find humor amidst sorrow, reminding us that even in our toughest times, there's space for laughter and joy. This film celebrates life in all its absurdity and beauty.

It's a must-watch for anyone who loves great storytelling, engaging characters, and a good dose of humor. Dimitri Verhulst has created a film that's both entertaining and meaningful, marking an exciting directorial debut for this talented writer.

The Dimitri Verhulst movie takes it's time but builds up nicely. I'd say it is a road movie/dark comedy/family drama. The images, scenery and soundtrack was amazingly well designed and put together. Really superb!

I personally loved most of the humor and in my opinion it gets better and better throughout the movie. The humor is a bit dark, sometimes childish and absurd. It is amazing how the humor flows easily into a beautiful scene or into serious theme of loss and grief.

This will definitely go into my list of best movies this year. Some might find it grim, some might not get the humor or find it slow but I completely loved it!