Omhelzing op de Eiermarkt
Current state: in preproduction, shooting in spring 2024
Current state:
In postproduction
Written and directed by:
Pieter Solta
Camera:
Alexandre Cabanne
Sound:
t.b.c
Produced by:
Katrien Carton
With:
With the support of:
VAF
Veroline Vanderbeeck
Jan Decleir
Wouter Hendrickx
e.a
VAF, Flanders Tax Shelter, Seewald Films
EMBRACE ON THE EGGMARKET
BY PIETER SOLTA
A young woman wants to come to terms with her family’s wealth. With all her senses open, she scans her surroundings for the first cracks and crumbles in a patriarchal moral system. On the morning of the trial against her grandfather, the judge resigns for personal, tragic reasons and declares that he never wants to pass judgment again. But she reclaims a verdict. When she pursues the man, she causes a cascade of events in which the two are condemned to each other, and finally, if the dolphins allow, to set each other free.
The judge never wants to pass judgment on another person again.
But the defendant finally wants a verdict and justice.
Neither one lets go – even if everything goes down the drain –
step by step, they discover how everything is connected to everything.
Down the drain, are there dolphins?
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A film about the relentless need for understanding, and the relentless need for a judgment. Let’s descend fluidly into the sinkhole of good and evil.
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A new generation of actors plays alongside the established veterans. A taxi driver plays, whether he wants to or not, with shrimp croquettes. A mother murderer plays with dolphins, and concrete-rot plays with the foundations. Playing together is the most beautiful thing there is.
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A check-up of our moral household in 2025. How does it stand? How about that patriarchal society of ours, is its crumbling imminent? Is something already sinking?
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The story of a young woman and her call for justice.
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In a society that is increasingly divided and torn apart, we are all walking on eggshells. Even though the film is set in Antwerp, the whole world has become an egg market. To embrace over there - can we do that?
Marie-Hélène Dozo edited two Palme d'Or-winning films and is considered one of the most renowned editors thanks to her work with the Dardenne brothers, Wang Bing, Minervini, and others. D.O.P. Alex Cabanne earned his stripes with Ken Loach. Jan Decleir starred in 6 of the top ten highest-grossing Belgian films that received the most international acclaim. Veroline Vanderbeeck is a new talent, previously seen in a small role alongside Adèle Exarchopoulos in “Rien à foutre”. Wouter Hendrickx (“Adem”, “De Helaasheid der dingen”, “Hidden Assets”...) is a highly praised and multiple-award-winning actor. Stefan Gota was recently discovered in the extra-ordinary beautiful “Here” by Bas Devos. Lucy Plasschaert received the Best Young Talent award at the Flemish-Dutch Theater Festival in 2024. Jan Bijvoet has an impressive track record of films and series that won awards at A-list festivals, including “Peaky Blinders”, “Embrace of the Serpent”, and “Borgman”.
Some press voices about Pieter's work:
"The alliance between poetry and politics becomes simply magical here."
Le Temps (CH)
"A rare state of wonder comes over you."
De Morgen (BE)
"He delivers an essential reflection on our era. The viewer is swept away, if not utterly captivated, by an impressive narrative mechanism of intelligence, emotion, and humor, which gracefully avoids the pitfalls of cynicism. Accessible, brilliant, and all the more important in today's world: an absolute must-see performance."
Le Nouvel Observateur (FR)
"Razor-sharp and enchanting. Anyone who thinks those two can't go together should go watch now. Even though all performances are already sold out."
Dnes (CZ)
"A restorative art of uncertainty. Truly artistic resistance. In short, a dream performance that approaches the Sphinx endlessly asking the same question: What must I do?"
De Standaard (BE)
"A young Flemish Cocteau."
L’Art de la scène (FR)
"Theater that sets you free."
De Morgen (BE)
"Even 5 stars don't do justice to this work."
The Herald (UK)
