Programme pages 2019 | DOCVILLE - Documentary Film Festival Leuven, Belgium - 27/3

Overview program

Title search

filter

All
Artist in focus
Docville @ Canvas
Docville Academy
Docville Squared
Docville PLUS
International selection
Short docs
Love Factually
Belgian selection
Outside the dox
Press under pressure
Spectrum
Guest screenings
Virtual Reality
ConScience
Young Docs

A new look at the colonial past?

The renovation of the Africa Museum in Tervuren is the ideal occasion for director Matthias De Groof to study our view on the Belgian colonial past. Does the facelift of the museum imply that this past must be (re) interpreted? Did the museum demolish not only old walls but also the old colonial vision in its new design? And have they succeeded in making the voice of the African diaspora heard? VRT journalist and Congo expert Peter Verlinden offers his expertise.

docville-plus
Anthropocene: The Human Epoch

Using breathtaking footage, three award-winning directors illustrate the hypothesis that we have entered a new geological era: an age that - for the first time - is not determined by natural factors, but by human activity. A wonderful cinematographic testimony about the extensive human impact on our planet.

international-selection
Aperitif lectures about Love

An inspiring hour of short lectures about love, each time from a specific field of expertise. Order a drink and come listen to scientists who answer various questions. Does a male body react differently to sex than a woman's body? Should trios be able to marry? Is there a cure for heartbreak? Can you genetically have three parents?

love-factually
Aquarela

Award-winning director Viktor Kossakovsky films the primal power of water in a incredible way as a natural element that seems to take revenge on mankind as we are slowly but surely destroying the earth. Immense ice caps crumble and turn into tumbling waterfalls and devastating waves. A visually stunning prayer for forgiveness.

outside-the-dox
B.B King: On the road

"You say blues, you gotta say BB." Blues legend B.B. King was always on the road, for over 65 years with hardly a break, giving about 18,000 performances. On the Road offers the viewer a chance to join him on this adventure, a journey along the days and nights along the way, from the very beginning of his tour days up to the great milestones of his unrivaled career.

docville-canvas
Bains Publics

The swimming pool as an illustration of the melting pot of the big city. A place where people train, chat, relax, wash themselves and wind down. 'Bains Publics' is a homage to the diversity of Brussels and how the swimming pool water washes away all the differences. A cinematic gem to enjoy.

belgian-selection
Beautiful Things

A contemplative journey through our obsessive consumer society. A beautiful documentary symphony about the lifeline of everyday objects from the mining of the raw materials to the final waste processing, supported by a beautiful cinematography and an impressive soundscape.

outside-the-dox
Behind the Curve

People often laugh at them, the so-called flat-earthers: the people who believe inexorably that the earth is not spherical but flat. And yet the number of followers continues to grow. With an open mind, director Daniel J. Clark presents the supporters and their arguments to you in this funny, but also intriguing documentary. Can they convince you?

spectrum
Beyond Borders Director Roundtable

Professional documentary makers from the Netherlands and Flanders meet up for an interesting conversation. Is there a difference in the way we make documentaries? But also: how far do we want to go as directors? Would we be willing to be our own producers? How do creation and financing relate to each other? A roundtable discussion across the border.

docville-academy
Bisbee '17

100 years ago an incredible scene took place in Bisbee, a small town close to the Mexican border: over 1200 immigrants were brutally taken to the desert by the local sheriff and his supporters and left for dead. Filmmaker Robert Greene, together with the current residents, takes on this black page from their history by recreating it. A creative, compelling documentary that brings past and present together in a smart way.

international-selection
Brexit Behind The Scenes

For two years, director Lode Desmet followed the Brexit negotiations behind the scenes, in the wake of Guy Verhofstadt, the chief negotiator of the European Parliament. Throughout the process of formal and informal tug-of-war, the film looks at the way politics are being done in Europe - and the state of our democracy is examined in times of social media and populism...

spectrum
Canvasnight

Canvas - the ultimate documentary channel - has been a valuable partner of DOCVILLE for years and traditionally presents its own program at the festival. An exclusive preview of new series that are in the pipeline? This year we spoil you with the first episode of the 7-part biopic about Frank Vandenbroucke and the first footage of a very very quirky series called Fiskepark. A mockumentary with, among others, Tomas De Soete, Jan Jaap van der Wal, Bent Van Looy and Siska Schoeters that is a parody of the true-crime genre, questioning its authenticity in a humorous way.

guest-screenings
Charleroi: Le Pays Aux 60 Montagnes

A visual essay about an industrial city in all its facets. Charleroi, on the banks of the Sambre, is a sultry metropolis in which René Magritte, a homeless camp, advocates of a new urban design, deep red socialists, the discoverer of the Big Bang and the supporters of the Zebras intersect. Charleroi is facing the beginning of a new era, but no one knows exactly what that will look like.

belgian-selection
China Love

In the heyday of the Cultural Revolution romantic love was still considered a capitalist concept in China. But now China has completely fallen in love with love. Weddings are big business and the wedding photography leads to - at least to western eyes - unbelievable scenes. The groom as centaur with his beloved on the back? Or a graceful mermaid in the arms of an uncomfortable Neptune? Tackiness is no objection in the search for the ultimate picture.

love-factually
Closing Time

Three o'clock at night in Taipei, a city that never sleeps. At a busy intersection Mr Kuo and his wife have a simple food stand, where they cook for anyone who braves the night. An infinite ballet of night owls, hurried suppliers, fleeting conversations in a rainy, neon-lit anonymous corner of the city creates an intriguing, hypnotic viewing experience.

international-selection
Cold Case Hammarskjöld

Over 50 years after the death of UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, Danish filmmaker, journalist and provocateur Mads Brügger (The Ambassador) tries to discover the truth about this cold case once and for all. What begins as the unraveling of murder plot slowly turns into a true thriller that surprises you at every turn.

spectrum
David Bowie: The First Five Years

David Bowie left behind an impressive musical heritage as one of the most innovative artists of the 20th century. In the third part of this documentary trilogy about the legendary pop legend, we look back at his earliest years until the dawn of the Ziggy Stardust period. The ultimate chance to (re) discover the pre-fame years of this exceptional artist.

docville-canvas
Day of the doc

Professional documentary makers traditionally meet on the last day of DOCVILLE for the annual Day of the Doc. In the morning a round-up will be made of the state of affairs of Flemish documentary film, followed by a session on the social impact of documentaries. In the afternoon, we will discuss various themes and specific topics.

docville-academy
De Chaque Instant

Every year, tens of thousands of young people start a nursing study. An intensive and difficult course, in which they not only gain a lot of knowledge and learn technical actions, but also prepare for great responsibilities. A moving confrontation that does not shy away from human fragility.

spectrum
Denoise

An immersion in some unique, closed worlds and their sounds. A field for oil extraction in Texas, the engine room of an immense cargo ship and a special echo-free test chamber. VR not only brings you into the middle of a new environment visually but also allows you to gain a completely personal audio experience.

short-docs
Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes

It is no coincidence that the right-wing conservative Fox News has become a breeding ground for fake news and is one of the causes of the rise of new, highly conservative movements. On the contrary, it has all happened by design. It fits in the vision of Roger Ailes, who has been the head of Fox News for twenty years. Ailes' predilection for sensational news and polarization perfectly match his own turbulent career. A staggering look at (the lack of) moral limits in the media.

press-under-pressure
conscience
Don't Be a Dick About It

This hilarious and intimate portrait of two impetuous teen brothers won the coveted audience award at IDFA. The audience fell in love with slightly autistic Peter and his brother Matthew. They both have red hair, but are otherwise very different: Peter is obsessed with Expedition Robinson and constantly votes off family members, while Matthew mainly wants to get rid of his fear of dogs. During one summer, the film records the charm of their fraternal love-hate relationship.

international-selection
Flat earth: not a crazy thought

Worldwide, more and more people are claiming that the earth is flat. Where does this belief come from? Are their arguments too crazy for words? Or is there something to what they say? Isn’t a critical mind one that dares to question common theories? Should we just shrug? Or convince these people with scientific arguments?

docville-plus
Fly Rocket Fly

A long time ago, years before Elon Musk reached for the stars with his Space X project, a young man had his own childhood dream about a journey into space. Fly Rocket Fly tells the fantastic story of German astrophysicist Lutz Kayser who developed the world's first private space company. He did this under the curious and concerned eyes of secret services around the world. A compelling documentary adventure that reads like a film script.

spectrum
Free Solo

Alex Honnold is a legend in the world of free-solo climbing: mountaineering without any safety equipment. At a high altitude, any small mistake can be fatal. At the age of 30, Alex wants to overcome one more challenge: the ascent of El Capitan, a 900 meter mountain wall in Yosemite National Park. Free Solo follows Alex in this frightening and breathtaking adventure. A pure thriller and the report of an incredibly impressive, crazy venture.

spectrum
Gods of Molenbeek

The attacks of 22 March 2016 sent a shock wave through the country. Suddenly, all the spotlights were focused on Molenbeek, a "hell hole" according to the American president. But it’s also the place 6-year-old Aatos and his friends call home. A film about friendship, faith and identity. And above all, a film about what connects us.

spectrum
Harry Gruyaert. Photographer

He is known as the Picasso of photography. Belgian Magnum photographer Harry Gruyaert thinks and frames in color. When he was 18 years old he fled gray Flanders and started traveling. In Morocco and India, he discovered light and color and a vital need to take photographs. Harry Gruyaert. Photographer focuses on the photographer for once.

belgian-selection
Heartbound: A Different Kind of Love Story

In a small village in the north of Denmark, a remarkable number of men are married to Thai women. For decades, Sommai, a local matchmaker, has been bringing them over from her former village. This is not the usual story of exploitation by rich Western men. Thanks to Sommai who defends, follows up and coaches 'her' girls, the possible relationship starts out with a balanced and positive approach. A surprisingly empathic film about love, dreams and migration.

international-selection
love-factually
Hello crowd! Crowdfunding

DOCVILLE and Hello crowd! are teaming up to present the very first edition of the Hello crowd! crowdfunding competition at DOCVILLE. Lots of small contributions can really make a difference: that is the idea behind crowdfunding. Hello Bank helps filmmakers find the necessary financing for their project via the crowdfunding platform Hello Crowd.

docville-academy
Inclusief

Inclusive education is a hot topic, but sometimes it seems we talk about it more than we actually look at it. That is the starting point of Ellen Vermeulen’s film, who previously caused quite a stir with 9999. In this highly stylized, observing documentary, it is not about arguments pro or contra. This is an invitation to look at how things really go down in a classroom.

belgian-selection
Inclusive education: curse or blessing?

Since the introduction of the M-decree, which really started in 2016, so-called "inclusive education" has often been the subject of discussion. What some consider a step in the right direction - children and young people should be able to deal with differences - others see as a risk to the quality level of our education. Teachers' organizations complain about the lack of support and the burden it places on the teacher. After 2 years it is time for an evaluation.

docville-plus
Investigative journalism and fake news

While the press used to have an unquestionable aura of authority, in these times of fake news it finds itself increasingly under attack. The press continues to drop bombshells: from Watergate to The Panama Papers, investigative journalism does have an impact on society. Should the press be the watchdog of our democracy? Is there a remedy for fake news? Can thorough investigative journalism survive in these times of super-fast social media?

docville-plus
Is polarisation a problem?

"Polarisation". It is a term you hear every day. Regardless of which theme is being discussed, extreme opinions become stronger and reinforce each other. Not only in the media, but also in discussions between friends and acquaintances, it is increasingly difficult to take a nuanced position, to ask critical questions or to vent dissenting opinions without being placed in the hostile camp. How do we explain this phenomenon of polarisation? Which consequences does it have? And what are the risks? How do we reintroduce nuance and honest critical thinking into the debate?

docville-plus
Islam in contemporary western society

In When Arabs Danced, director Jawad Rhalib asks questions about the effects of Muslim fundamentalism, basing himself on the story of his mother, who was a belly dancer. Not so long ago this Arab dance stood for sensuality and femininity, now Muslims often label it as unclean. How do artists look at it today? And more broadly: how do Muslims combine their faith with the contemporary European context? Imam Khalid Benhaddou, author of "Halal or not?", elaborates on this. He has been trying for years to build a bridge between his faith and the contemporary European society in which he lives.

docville-plus
Jij bent mijn vriend

A pleasant reunion with the makers of 'The children of Miss Kiet', the successful documentary that won many hearts last year. Little Branche, who recently moved to the Netherlands, is desperately trying to find a friend in Miss Kiet's class. A wonderful, moving portrait of the human craving for friendship and the importance of a loving, warm and safe environment for all children - including refugees.

spectrum
Kabul, City in the Wind

When Afghan capital Kabul is featured on the news it is often as a gray place where death lurks, but here the director chooses to capture the vibrant life of this city. For three years, the film follows a weed smoking bus driver who is barely able to bring his passengers home safely and the two young brothers Afshin and Benjamin. A special portrait about daily life in a city where there is a permanent threat.

international-selection
Limbo

Tens of thousands of asylum seekers are stranded in Great Britain. While they wait for a decision about their asylum application, their life is on hold. It is life in an in between world, waiting for a decision that has a radical impact on the rest of their lives. Experience the limbo of an asylum centre from the inside.

short-docs
Liyana

A group of orphans from Swaziland comes up with a story: they fantasize how the brave Liyana leaves to rescue her kidnapped twin brothers. The young storytellers devise a path full of dangers and enchantment for their heroine and draw inspiration from their own lives: their dark memories and their happiest dreams.

young-docs
Love Etc.

Love is ... more complicated than a Hollywood movie. But no less funny, tender or moving. Love Etc. tells five true stories about love. Stories as diverse as New York, the city in which they unfold. An ode to love in all its forms and the ideal film for a first date.

love-factually
MACKY Industry Day

Macky is a new collective of Flemish creatives with a heart for children's content. During the industry pitches at DOCVILLE, makers have the chance to explain their latest ideas for children and youth content to TV channels, production houses and distributors. Telidja Klaï (Ketnet) will kick off this day, which ends with an inspiring screening of successful children's documentaries from neighboring countries.

docville-academy
Manu

Manu Bonmariage has often been featured at DOCVILLE. The experienced documentary filmmaker started out as the spiritual father of the legendary news series Strip-Tease. Manu, who is going through the first stages of Alzheimer's, is now the subject of a warm and humorous portrait made by his daughter Emmanuelle.

belgian-selection
Marianne & Leonard - Words of Love

'So Long, Marianne' Leonard Cohen sings in one of his most iconic songs. This Marianne is Norwegian Marianne Ihlen, his lifelong muse with whom he started an intense relationship in a time of free love. Nick Broomfield, director of documentaries such as Whitney: Can I Be Me, Biggie & Tupac and Kurt & Courtney, follows their unconventional relationship from the early days in idyllic Greece.

love-factually
Masterclass André Singer

Andre Singer is a monument in the world of documentaries. After his doctorate in anthropology, he started making non-fiction in the 1970s. He produced over 55 documentary films and series, including many award-winning titles and collaborations with well-known names.

docville-academy
Mating

What happens when you follow two young people’s turbulent love lives for a year? Mating is an intimate portrait of two millennials who grow up in a world where love is increasingly situated in a digital landscape. Is there still intimacy in a world of Facebook, Instagram and Tinder?

love-factually
Meeting Gorbachev

Documentary god Werner Herzog meets one of his heroes: former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. A cinematic encounter that recreates the life of the former world leader. Gorbachev speaks openly about his eventual political downfall and the machinations behind it. A unique look back at world history by a key figure in that history.

artist-in-focus
Midnight Family

Mexico City: 9 million inhabitants and less than 45 official ambulances. The desperate situation of health care leads to an underground industry. The Ochoa family owns a private ambulance. Life-saving for the wounded, a bitter competition for the family. An incredible journey through a nocturnal Mexico.

international-selection
Mind My Mind

How do you survive in this world if you do are afraid to deviate from your social scripts? And how do you seduce a girl if you are actually secretly obsessed with dive bombers? Mind My Mind is a film about how having Asperger Syndrome affects your social life and love life. This funny and moving short film offers an insight into the autistic spirit, a must-see for everyone who wants to understand this abstract world better.

short-docs
Minding the Gap

Over the course of 12 years Liu Bing filmed himself and two of his skater friends. Over the course of the 12 years the gap between youth and adulthood, between boy and man, is inevitably bridged. An authentic documentary that was bombarded with prizes. An ode to being young, growing up, chasing dreams and letting go of certain hopes.

international-selection
Night will Fall

Night Will Fall is made entirely with original and unique footage from 1945: film footage made by the Allies when they liberated concentration camps. The footage ended up with renowned filmmakers like Hitchcock so they could turn it into a documentary, but it remained unfinished for 70 years. Andre Singer finally took control and completed this essential documentary.

artist-in-focus
Now Something is Slowly Changing

Self-development. Inner growth. It seems like the holy grail of our time. The contemporary search for meaning and personal growth is widespread, the offered solutions vary. A cinematic - often hilarious - observation of this search, along with a registration of workshops and training courses that want to answer ubiquitous questions.

outside-the-dox
On Air

Bob Rugurika is at the head of RPA, the most popular independent radio station in Burundi. As a passionate investigative journalist, he is a champion of free speech. The RPA continues to challenge the regime and becomes public enemy number one. When President Pierre Nkurunziza is determined to start a third term of office and wants to change the constitution, things get even more tense. Will Bob continue to risk his life in his fight for freedom of the press, at a time when all dissident voices are being nipped in the bud?

press-under-pressure
One Child Nation

When the People's Republic of China wanted to tackle the problematic population growth at the end of the 1970s, they opted for a drastic intervention: every couple could only have one child, a second child was punishable. Especially in the first few decades, the introduction of this rule caused dramatic consequences: forced sterilization, selective abortions and the neglect, sale or killing of girls. One Child Nation won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.

conscience
Palimpsest

In 2013, the Royal Museum for Central Africa closes for renovation. Not only the building and the museum cabinets are in need of renewal: the spirit of the museum has to be brought into this century. In COMRAF, a board of advisers, the process of decolonization leads to fierce discussions.

belgian-selection
Paradogma

Should every opinion get a platform? Or are there opinions that are so opposed to the prevailing consensus that they have to be banned? Is asking certain questions or expressing other perspectives always innocent? Does it put someone in a certain camp? Or is it dangerous to exclude certain thoughts in the public debate? Has the nuance disappeared in the current discourse? An intriguing documentary that makes you think.

spectrum
Pleasure and Pain: The Science of Love

Love can change our lives. Literally. Recent scientific studies show that love can deeply transform our brains and our bodies. A visual journey through the science of love with amazing revelations and answers about the most important human emotion - which turns out to be much more than just an emotion.

love-factually
Prijsuitreiking & Slotfilm Maiden

Towards the end of the eighties, 24-year-old Tracy Edwards has a big dream: she wants to sail around the world with a completely female team. Maiden tells the wildly exciting story of some bold women who were able to tame the seas as well as counter prejudice. An inspiring and wonderfully entertaining documentary that you takes you on a wild ride.

spectrum
RBG

Ruth Bader Ginsburg - also known as: Notorious RBG. The nickname of this chief judge to the American Supreme Court. An indomitable woman who, after sixty years of legal battle, is still eager to fight. She fought for women's rights, overcame discrimination and now at age 85 faces her last but toughest fight: Donald Trump. A current report about her personal and professional life.

spectrum
Sabam Night

Authors' association SABAM supports audiovisual authors in various ways. They have an eye for young emerging talent, but also for filmmakers who have already proven themselves. No less than three documentaries will be screened on the Sabam evening and this year women rule the roost! On this fascinating evening in the presence of the directors we present the screening of Memre Yu by Wildcard winner Ziade Bil, Fraternidad by Laura Zuallaert and Still from Afar by Eva Van Tongeren.

guest-screenings
Sakawa

“Beautiful lonely woman looks for love on Facebook. She would love to visit you, if you could just send some money so she can apply for a visa.” We’ve all received them: emails in which someone asks for some money in order to obtain an inheritance or get lottery money. This type of internet fraud has been around for a long time. For many young people in Ghana, it is their only way out of poverty. For his debut film, the Belgian-Ghanaian filmmaker Ben Asamoah returns to his homeland and introduces you to the people behind the emails. Meet your scammer!

belgian-selection
Santiago, Italy

Eddy hands his cafe over to his son but falls in a black hole after this. He decides to go on a pilgrimage and tries to reconnect with his son.

spectrum
Scenario in documentary: Case study Screwball

Just like with a fiction film, a scenario is indispensable for a documentary. But how exactly does that work? Doesn’t a documentary want to avoid manipulating reality? Of the many possible formats, re-enactments - the re-enactment of events with actors - are often the subject of discussion. It is an intervention that offers opportunities as well as pitfalls. Director Billy Corben shares how he used actors in the hilarious "Screwball" in a very creative way. Language: English

docville-academy
Screwball

A funny detective story about a doping scandal. It does not sound like your average documentary because it is not. Director Billy Corben made an exciting and hilarious documentary about one of the biggest scandals in the world of American sports.

spectrum
Sheep Hero

Idealistic shepherd Stijn has a hard time dealing with the tough economic reality. After 10 years, his ideals have been infected with a frustrated anger. A tragicomic portrait of a man in the middle of the universal story of David against Goliath, of ideals versus practice, of dreams and disappointments.

international-selection
Single

Marjon is 32 years old, single, and hates questions like "But why are you single?". She hates them so much that she made Single, a 4-part series in which she, together with a number of experts, answers a number of these questions: is she missing out as a single person? Why doesn’t she have a partner? Is it her own fault, or are there just no good men for her? Especially for DOCVILLE the four episodes have been assembled into one story.

love-factually
Step to the Line

A maximum security prison in the US. On the one hand there is the prisoners, on the other hand non-prisoners. There are differences and similarities, lives come together and separate, release is sometimes just as shocking as detention. A fascinating visit inside the prison that will change your view of the prison system forever.

short-docs
Take Light

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer and with 190 million inhabitants it has the seventh largest population in the world. Yet less than half of Nigerians have access to electricity. Residents who do have access, only have it for at most a few hours a day. Reason enough to not pay the bill, certainly. A cat and mouse game between illegal connections and an energy company that tries to reinvent itself.

conscience
Tea Tasting

Discover the wonderful world of tea in a sensory tasting session.

docville-squared
Tea with the Dames

Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith. If you do not know them by name you will certainly know their faces. These four actresses have all been knighted 'Dame' for their important contribution to the arts. The four iconic women meet up for an animated tea party full of memories and juicy anecdotes.

spectrum
The Biggest Little Farm

Farming differently, dealing with nature differently. Many people talk about it, but actually applying it is not easy. John and Molly try to fulfil their dream: operating a real biodiverse farm with respect for animals and nature. No monocultures, but dozens of fruit and vegetable varieties that crisscross the field, a precarious balance between animal, man and nature.

spectrum
The Border Fence

2016. The so-called 'Balkan route' is closed. Austria is very concerned about a potential refugee flow that would enter the country illegally via the Brenner Pass. The solution? A 370-meter long fence. But soon it turns out that that is not the ideal solution. Old-timer Geyrhalter succeeds better than anyone else at capturing an observing, beautifully portrayed and at times hilarious portrait.

conscience
The Brink

This fly-on-the-wall documentary follows Steve Bannon, the controversial ex-advisor to President Donald Trump. The impact of the former head strategist of the White House penetrates deep into Europe, even into Belgium. Bannon, after all, fights for a populist world revolution and tries to mobilize and unite extreme right-wing parties for the elections of the European Parliament in 2019.

conscience
The case of Cold Case Hammarskjöld

Uitgebreide nabespreking met onderzoeksjournalist Andreas Rocksen, de onderzoeksjournalist achter Cold Case Hammarskjöld en Bruno Struys, journalist bij DeMorgen.

spectrum
The Corporate Coup d'état

Democracy and unrestrained economic growth. These two cornerstones have been the foundations of Western society for decades and are usually regarded as perfectly complementary values. Pulitzer Prize winner Chris Hedges argues that they are actually each other's enemies. Held in a stranglehold, democracy is being suffocated by a 'corporate coup d'état; in which companies and billionaires increasingly take control of the political process. A shocking pamphlet about the loss of Western democracy.

conscience
The Kleptocrats

The story of the biggest scam ever has all the ingredients of an exciting film scenario. A top financier obscures 3.5 billion dollars from '1MDB', a Malaysian fund that is entirely in the hands of the Minister of Finance. Investigative journalists from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Hollywood Reporter take an interest in the investigation and trace the money trail that - ironically - leads to the funding of the blockbuster The Wolf of Wall Street.

press-under-pressure
The Man who Looked beyond the Horizon

A real adventure. Many dream of it, but few really go for it. Over 40 years ago, Bas Jan started his big adventure: with a tiny sailboat he wanted to sail from America to England. Months later, his boat was found at sea. Without Bas Jan. Filmmaker Martijn Blekendaal finds out what happened.

short-docs
The Pain of Others

Morgellons disease. According to Wikipedia it is a non-existent skin condition: believing you have the disease is actually a psychotic disorder. According to the YouTube community of the 'morgies', however, it is very much a real disease that they passionately document. A strange found-footage portrait of the believers and their daily, hardcore fight against the disease, real or psychotic.

outside-the-dox
The Panama Papers

In the spring of 2016, the media exploded thanks to the publication of the Panama Papers, which exposed the fraud and tax evasion of prominent figures around the world. The Panama Papers explains in an intriguing way what the documents contain and how journalists around the world secretly worked on their publication for a year.

press-under-pressure
The Price of Everything

What determines if something is great art? The emotions it evokes? The technical ability of an artist? Or the amount for which a work can be sold? The contemporary art world has also become a part of the consumer society, where everything has a price. An amazing exposé on the question that applies to our entire society: does something have an intrinsic value?

spectrum
The Real Thing

The Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, Venice, the Vatican ... These are just a few of the many monuments or even entire cities of which replicas have been made. These constructions are more than simple copies, they reflect a certain world view: places shaped according to what we consider ideal. A sometimes absurd journey through the monumental copycat architecture of China, amongst other places.

short-docs
The Silence of Others

For almost 40 years General Franco ruled Spain with an iron fist. A bloody past that many Spaniards prefer not to discuss. However, several surviving relatives want to break this silence. A disconcerting documentary about a period that still divides the country - after decades of democracy.

docville-canvas
The Truth About Killer Robots

When a robotic arm kills a worker, who is responsible? And if the police use a robot to take out a shooter, is it fundamentally different than when an agent fires the shot? The ubiquity of AI raises questions, but the dangers point to a profound problem that concerns us all.

conscience
The Wild City

Nature is all around us. Even where you would least expect it, like in the city. Mountain ranges of glass and concrete, industrial savannas, kilometers of sewer pipes. For a large number of wild animals, trees and plants, streets, tunnels, waterways and brick buildings are just as suitable and attractive as a primeval forest or marsh. In addition to the wild house cats, stray gulls and the inevitable rats, the city is also home to many exotic species such as ringed parakeets, American crustaceans, Egyptian geese. The cat Abatutu takes the viewer on a voyage of discovery through the wilderness of Amsterdam.

young-docs
The World of Kim & Bob

Kim and Bob have always been best friends. They both have a rich imagination and play together in worlds of their own creation. These worlds are brought to life beautifully with animations by director Sanne Rovers. Will they manage to stay best friends even when they grow up?

short-docs
They Shall not Grow Old

Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings) magically brings a wealth of archival images about WWI to life. Through digital techniques (and a lot of manual work) the film images were colored and we literally see the war as we have never seen it before. A story about deprivation and senseless massacres, but also about the daily life and camaraderie in the trenches.

spectrum
Third Act

We all age, even the driving forces behind the theater and dance company Peeping Tom. Their trilogy Father, Mother, Child around the theme of family relations and the passing of time, is the topic of Third Act. The theme is also present in their lives off stage. Some actors are already quite old but have no plans to retire.

belgian-selection
This Changes Everything

Hollywood is a perfect microcosm that can hold a mirror to our society. That mirror is not always flattering. This Changes Everything reveals how gender inequality is firmly embedded in the film industry. It is still a man's world, where women have to fight hard for their place. And it used to be so different: in the period of silent films, most directors were women. What has changed? Why? And what can be done about it?

conscience
Three Identical Strangers

Long Island, 1961. Triplets Bobby, Eddy and David are separated from each other right after their birth. They spend their childhood in different adoptive families and don’t know about each other's existence. Chance unexpectedly brings them together. The film shows how these brothers discover each other at age 19 and investigates why they were separated at birth. A disturbing story of a concealed study that has many secrets to this day.

spectrum
Transnistra

A report of love, friendship and growing up in a European area that has never been recognized as an independent country: Transnistria. The dreamy documentary follows three young people in an intimate way, a brief idyll. Because in a country that does not exist, life is extra volatile. Transnistra won the Big Screen Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival. Rightly so, because this pearl, completely filmed on 16mm, is a cinematic highlight.

international-selection
True story: mysteries and adventures

Nothing as exciting as a story that really happened. DOCVILLE searched and found a selection of unresolved mysteries and true adventures. We look at the world through the eyes of Sammy who flies to the other side of the world without mom or dad for the first time. Meanwhile, Kim and Bob live their own adventure: growing up while remaining good friends (and certainly nothing more!), even though they are a boy and a girl.

young-docs
Underground & Revolt - Kortfilmcompilatie

Many young people have lost their faith in conventional politics, but that does not mean that they are politically apathetic. On the contrary. Worldwide we see new forms of protest and engagement. Young people make their voices heard through music, dance and social media. Jazar Krew started the first Palestinian Music Venue in haifa. Maedah is arrested in Tehran because she publishes her dance videos online. Chinese hip-hopper Lady Duck continues to make hip-hop despite a new directive. Up to and including the rave revolution in Tsiblisi. A unique and urgent compilation of short films full of creative forms of underground resistance.

spectrum
Vacancy

Cheap motels along a busy road. The guaranteed anonymity and low cost turns these motels into a special world of their own. In the States they are a kind of transit area for outsiders. A place where the victims of the American Dream end up, a haven for wandering souls. Some still dare to dream, others live day by day.

belgian-selection
VR DOCS

The time during which VR was just a nerdy gadget is over. More and more documentary makers are exploring the medium and with good reason: virtual reality offers an unmatchable experience that literally drops the viewer into a new reality. DOCVILLE made a strict selection of short documentaries that immerses the viewer in an unprecedented world not only visually, but also in terms of sound experience.

virtual-reality
Watergate

Academy Award-winning director Charles Ferguson looks back on a turbulent period in American history: the Watergate scandal. A complex case that led to the resignation of President Nixon. With a wealth of archival material and contemporary interviews, the film clearly and compellingly shares the comprehensive story of this turning point in contemporary history. A documentary that is somewhere between a political thriller and a court case-drama, with a nod to the current situation in the White House.

press-under-pressure
When Arabs Danced

Fundamentalists have greatly changed the Muslim world. A liberated way of enjoying your body and culture has been restricted, seemingly without much resistance from the population. In 'When Arabs Danced', Moroccan-Belgian filmmaker Jawad Rhalib gives a voice to this silent minority who, against the current, continue to oppose radicalization.

belgian-selection
When Lambs become Lions

The illegal ivory trade and the battle against it divides some regions in Kenya. In a village near a nature reserve, a small ivory trader tries to survive, while rangers use every means possible to prevent poaching. His own cousin is one of them, but he has not been paid for months and has doubts about his commitment. A unique look at the people behind the ivory trade and their motivations.

spectrum
Where the Wind Blew

Where The Wind Blew paints a picture of the arms race during the Cold War, and its consequences that carry much further than you would think. The nuclear weapons had to be tested and many tests took place in Kazakhstan. The people, however, revolted and it became the first country to obtain a ban on nuclear testing. This touching story is told by victims, witnesses and activists.

artist-in-focus
Will Tura: Hoop Doet Leven

Will Tura wrote history and has become the Emperor of the Flemish Song. He was the first Belgian artist to fill rock temple Vorst Nationaal in 1974 and his performance at the funeral of King Baudouin is engraved in the collective memory. A look back at his long career is a nostalgic trip through Flanders from the early 60s to the present.

spectrum

Overview program

Title search

filter

A new look at the colonial past?

Anthropocene: The Human Epoch

Aperitif lectures about Love

Aquarela

B.B King: On the road

Bains Publics

Beautiful Things

Behind the Curve

Beyond Borders Director Roundtable

Bisbee '17

Brexit Behind The Scenes

Canvasnight

Charleroi: Le Pays Aux 60 Montagnes

China Love

Closing Time

Cold Case Hammarskjöld

David Bowie: The First Five Years

Day of the doc

De Chaque Instant

Denoise

Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes

Don't Be a Dick About It

Flat earth: not a crazy thought

Fly Rocket Fly

Free Solo

Gods of Molenbeek

Harry Gruyaert. Photographer

Heartbound: A Different Kind of Love Story

Hello crowd! Crowdfunding

Inclusief

Inclusive education: curse or blessing?

Investigative journalism and fake news

Is polarisation a problem?

Islam in contemporary western society

Jij bent mijn vriend

Kabul, City in the Wind

Limbo

Liyana

Love Etc.

MACKY Industry Day

Manu

Marianne & Leonard - Words of Love

Masterclass André Singer

Mating

Meeting Gorbachev

Midnight Family

Mind My Mind

Minding the Gap

Night will Fall

Now Something is Slowly Changing

On Air

One Child Nation

Palimpsest

Paradogma

Pleasure and Pain: The Science of Love

Prijsuitreiking & Slotfilm Maiden

RBG

Sabam Night

Sakawa

Santiago, Italy

Scenario in documentary: Case study Screwball

Screwball

Sheep Hero

Single

Step to the Line

Take Light

Tea Tasting

Tea with the Dames

The Biggest Little Farm

The Border Fence

The Brink

The case of Cold Case Hammarskjöld

The Corporate Coup d'état

The Kleptocrats

The Man who Looked beyond the Horizon

The Pain of Others

The Panama Papers