Jo (Stef Aerts) owns a small bar called 'Belgica'. His brother Frank (Tom Vermeir) turns up and together, they expand the bar into the nightclub everyone wants to go to.
A few minutes in and you're already greeted with a few nice characters and its immediately apparent that this is going to be a likeable film. There is a real good chemistry both in the characters and the film.
As expected with the story, the music is heavily featured and it really is good. From the live music to the dj'ing, it's really well chosen and helps with the narrative (sadly the live bands do give way to club tunes).
The total mayhem and fun of the first hour gives way to push the story of the brothers private life. Here is where the film evolves and the cracks in the relationship star to appear and we get to see a more personal and serious side to Jo. Aerts excels in this half of the film and it's a performance that will largely go unnoticed, sadly. Frank meanwhile, continues to spiral out of control, throwing his life away in the reluctance of getting older.
Belgica is an excellent film and one I would highly recommend, though some may struggle with the 2hr runtime, it's definitely worth a watch.
Jo (Stef Aerts) owns a small bar called 'Belgica'. His brother Frank (Tom Vermeir) turns up and together, they expand the bar into the nightclub everyone wants to go to.
A few minutes in and you're already greeted with a few nice characters and its immediately apparent that this is going to be a likeable film. There is a real good chemistry both in the characters and the film.
As expected with the story, the music is heavily featured and it really is good. From the live music to the dj'ing, it's really well chosen and helps with the narrative (sadly the live bands do give way to club tunes).
The total mayhem and fun of the first hour gives way to push the story of the brothers private life. Here is where the film evolves and the cracks in the relationship star to appear and we get to see a more personal and serious side to Jo. Aerts excels in this half of the film and it's a performance that will largely go unnoticed, sadly. Frank meanwhile, continues to spiral out of control, throwing his life away in the reluctance of getting older.
Belgica is an excellent film and one I would highly recommend, though some may struggle with the 2hr runtime, it's definitely worth a watch.
