La régate

This is a moving, touching, sensitive film set in an original environment usually not given much coverage: rowing. The actors' performance is very convincing. Inspired by Bellefroid's own experience, it is a social drama, the poignant story of Alex, a teenager who is an adolescent repeatedly beaten by his father with whom he is living. He finds escape from this violence by immersing himself in rowing to win the Belgian championship. The film's authenticity and dramatic impact is heightened by the convincing performances from some extremely talented actors.

The setting of the Meuse river where he rows is radiant. The rock soundtrack illustrates well Alex's rage used in a positive way, to surpass himself in the boat. It contrasts with the dark side of the apartment where much tension is felt. It is the story of a harsh relationship between a father and his son, the inability to show love when suffering is overwhelming. At the Rowing Club, with the help of the coach, Sergi, and Murielle, the girl he's in love with, Alex will learn how to regain human values, to exchange with others, to love... He is initiated to the values of rowing: willpower, surpassing of oneself, solidarity, team spirit. It is a sport requiring strength and endurance and Alex needs these qualities to be able to escape his suffocating past.

This film is rare, and it is not easy. One attends all the way along account an ill-treatment which revolts us. One wants to shout for Alexandre, one wants to push back this unworthy father. But it is not so simple, the child loves his father and the father loves his son, but it do not have any means of being able to say it. How this father could it give love whereas it does not have any for him even. Its life is made only frustrations, that it will drown in alcohol when that is too badly. The son, he is alone, the sport is his only exit, his only hope to be able to exist.

Thierry Hancisse is terrible in this role, one hates it, but it is felt sorry for. There are a few pieces of lived sound which arises in this play difficult to like and to be violent with that which one likes.

Joffrey Verbruggen in the role of Alexandre returns to us in front of all these friends, whom we had children, and who never acknowledged us that they had unworthy parents. The years passers by, we discovered, like Sergi Lopez, the trainer of Alexandre, that this silence and this violence, hid a situation impossible to express.

One knows a whole a Alexandre and Thierry, one would like that Sergi a little more often exist in their life.

a story about violence and dreams. refreshing, cold, delicate, touching. picture of fall and about an age. an useful film. for each viewer. because its message is more than moralistic. because its beauty has deep roots. because the acting is impressive. because it is a story about society more than about a family. because it presents in precise manner, with splendid grace, the hope. because it is a film about basic things who defines life. without verdicts, out of judgment circles. story of a teenager , it has universal value. and that does it more than a good film. or a lesson. it could be a necessary testimony about contemporary Belgian cinema.