Brabançonne

Belgian Rhapsody (Brabanconne). Director Vincent Bal and Producer Peter Bouckaert decided a musical comedy, featuring dueling Brass Bands from the varied segments within Belgian people, was a good way to comically highlight the divide within their country. Featuring a cast of relatively unknown actors, we are introduced to the Flemish (Sint- Cecilia) and the Walloon (French speaking - En Avant) bands as they compete for the right to represent their country in a larger competition. While one band features a hot-headed sexy and talented horn player Hugues (Arthur Dupont), the other has its own more reserved yet talented horn player who literary blows his last breathe at the competition. Soon, both sides are fighting for Hugues' attention, all the while new and hidden sexual attractions build within each band. Cinematography by Danny Elsen beautifully highlights how special the Belgian communities can be. And, Bal (along with writer Pierre De Clercq) manages to make the musical interludes plausible by intertwining cute, catchy songs currently on the Belgian radio airwaves. "Belgian Rhapsody is a French film with English Sub-Titles, which at times make it hard to distinguish between the films two excellent female leads (who have a tendency to look alike). However, director Bal assures the viewing audience "if you speak the language, you won't have this dilemma". The diversity of the cast, and their opportunity to sing and dance their way into the viewing audiences heart, enables "Belgian Rhapsody" to be good clean lighthearted musical fun.

In recent years we had a lot of Flemish films trying to be American thrillers, yet this film preserved the 'Flemish' focusing on ordinary people in their ordinary environments. "Brabançonne" is occasionally a real Belgian joke in the positive sense of the word. Sometimes the story is a bit predictable, but marketed well the expectations a definitely set. "Brabançonne" delivers on every level.

The moment the movie starts you immediately get used to the Flemish and Walloon classic songs, used very effectively in this film. Sometimes you could be worried director Bal went overboard with it, but in the end he never loses focus and everything comes together in a beautiful and overplayed ending bringing nice relaxing and digestible entertainment for all movie and music lovers.