A couple of times over in “When It Melts,” the directorial debut of Belgian actor Veerle Baetens, Eva, played as a morose, withdrawn adult by Charlotte De Bruyne, looks at a photograph of herself as a 13-year-old. In the picture, child Eva (Sundance prizewinner Rosa Marchant) is grinning a lopsided, optimistic tomboy grin, unaware of the violent end of innocence lying in wait for her. The space between these two Evas — a vast gulf not just temporal but scarringly psychological — is territory painstakingly mapped out by Baetens, whose grip on the tone of gathering dread is sure, until it becomes suffocating. As the story pivots back and forth between its two timelines, as though hoping one will hold the key to the other’s release, it grows oppressive, as hard to witness as a cornered bird battering itself helplessly against one window, then the next.
Eva is a shy photographer’s assistant,...
Eva is a shy photographer’s assistant,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
Actress Veerle Baetens’s feature debut When It Melts, adapted from Lize Spit’s novel The Melting, follows Eva (Charlotte De Bruyne) as she returns to her hometown for a funeral with an ice block packed in the back of her car. While she waits out this frigid winter (and as the ice block slowly shrinks), she recalls a scorching summer during her adolescence that forever altered the course of her life. Editor Thomas Pooters shares his experience cutting Baetens’s film, a process that entailed many Post-it notes and enlightening conversations about gender. See all responses to our annual Sundance editor interviews […]
The post “Post-it Notes Always Are a Huge Help”: Editor Thomas Pooters on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Post-it Notes Always Are a Huge Help”: Editor Thomas Pooters on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/2/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Actress Veerle Baetens’s feature debut When It Melts, adapted from Lize Spit’s novel The Melting, follows Eva (Charlotte De Bruyne) as she returns to her hometown for a funeral with an ice block packed in the back of her car. While she waits out this frigid winter (and as the ice block slowly shrinks), she recalls a scorching summer during her adolescence that forever altered the course of her life. Editor Thomas Pooters shares his experience cutting Baetens’s film, a process that entailed many Post-it notes and enlightening conversations about gender. See all responses to our annual Sundance editor interviews […]
The post “Post-it Notes Always Are a Huge Help”: Editor Thomas Pooters on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Post-it Notes Always Are a Huge Help”: Editor Thomas Pooters on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/2/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Vengeance on a Wet Afternoon: Baetens Prepares a Fatal Reckoning in Grim Debut
Home is most certainly not where the heart is in When It Melts, the directorial debut of Belgian actor Veerle Baetens, adapted from the celebrated novel by Lize Spit. Baetens has long been a recognizable force in Belgian cinema over the past two decades, appearing in slick genre fare, like Erick Van Looy’s Loft (2008), Robin Pront’s The Ardennes (read review) and Oliver Masset-Depasse’s Mothers’ Instinct (2018), while most renowned for Felix Van Groeningen’s searing 2013 drama The Broken Circle Breakdown (read review). She’s chosen a troubling, and perhaps somewhat familiar approach in this trauma induced thriller, which features a disturbed, complex characterization deftly performed by two actors portraying the central character.…...
Home is most certainly not where the heart is in When It Melts, the directorial debut of Belgian actor Veerle Baetens, adapted from the celebrated novel by Lize Spit. Baetens has long been a recognizable force in Belgian cinema over the past two decades, appearing in slick genre fare, like Erick Van Looy’s Loft (2008), Robin Pront’s The Ardennes (read review) and Oliver Masset-Depasse’s Mothers’ Instinct (2018), while most renowned for Felix Van Groeningen’s searing 2013 drama The Broken Circle Breakdown (read review). She’s chosen a troubling, and perhaps somewhat familiar approach in this trauma induced thriller, which features a disturbed, complex characterization deftly performed by two actors portraying the central character.…...
- 1/28/2023
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Best known for playing a bluegrass-singing mother with an ill daughter in the Oscar-nominated “The Broken Circle Breakdown” and a relentless cop on the television show “Code 37,” actress Veerle Baetens donned a director’s cap for her feature debut “When it Melts.”
Based on Lize Spit’s novel “The Melting,” the film premiered in this year’s Sundance World Feature Competition. The actress-turned director and Rosa Marchant — who plays the film’s protagonist in her childhood years — joined Sharon Waxman to discuss the picture’s unflinching, uncompromising look at the lingering impact of childhood trauma with TheWrap’s Portrait and Video Studio at The Music Lodge.
Explaining the film’s cryptic title, Baetens argued it’s about how the protagonist isolates herself after a childhood incident, and how such trauma makes her a frozen person. “It’s a beautiful metaphor for people who have experienced trauma to be in a frozen state of mind,...
Based on Lize Spit’s novel “The Melting,” the film premiered in this year’s Sundance World Feature Competition. The actress-turned director and Rosa Marchant — who plays the film’s protagonist in her childhood years — joined Sharon Waxman to discuss the picture’s unflinching, uncompromising look at the lingering impact of childhood trauma with TheWrap’s Portrait and Video Studio at The Music Lodge.
Explaining the film’s cryptic title, Baetens argued it’s about how the protagonist isolates herself after a childhood incident, and how such trauma makes her a frozen person. “It’s a beautiful metaphor for people who have experienced trauma to be in a frozen state of mind,...
- 1/23/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
It’s a backhanded compliment to Sundance to see such an emotionally stunning film as Belgian director Veerle Baetens’ When It Melts, which premiered tonight in the festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition, and wonder, right away, why a film of this power won’t be debuting in the official selection at Cannes this year. This is in no way to suggest that the American indie showcase is a kind of second-best place for it, more an indictment of Europe’s biggest cinema event, which routinely takes such harrowing stories of tortured and troubled women — as long as they are directed by men.
Ironically, at least two of those men (notably Michael Haneke and Lars Von Trier) are recognisable for their influence here, in an intense and uncompromising debut that sets a very high bar for this year’s international arthouse sector. In terms of investigating the cruelty of youth,...
Ironically, at least two of those men (notably Michael Haneke and Lars Von Trier) are recognisable for their influence here, in an intense and uncompromising debut that sets a very high bar for this year’s international arthouse sector. In terms of investigating the cruelty of youth,...
- 1/22/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s somehow been a decade since Veerle Baetens was named best European actress for her incandescent, heart-wrenching turn in The Broken Circle Breakdown. As a bluegrass-loving tattoo artist gradually obliterated by tragedy, Baetens’ performance was complex, unflinching and emotionally raw. When It Melts, the Flemish filmmaker’s Sundance-premiering feature directorial debut, cuts similarly close to the bone. Adapted by Baetens and co-writer Maarten Loix from Lize Spit’s bestselling Flemish novel, it centers on an isolated woman named Eva (Charlotte de Bruyne) who returns to the village she grew up in with an ice block in the back of her car. There, […]
The post “I Wanted To Take a Closer Look at How People Shut Down”: Veerle Baetens on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “I Wanted To Take a Closer Look at How People Shut Down”: Veerle Baetens on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/21/2023
- by Isaac Feldberg
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
It’s somehow been a decade since Veerle Baetens was named best European actress for her incandescent, heart-wrenching turn in The Broken Circle Breakdown. As a bluegrass-loving tattoo artist gradually obliterated by tragedy, Baetens’ performance was complex, unflinching and emotionally raw. When It Melts, the Flemish filmmaker’s Sundance-premiering feature directorial debut, cuts similarly close to the bone. Adapted by Baetens and co-writer Maarten Loix from Lize Spit’s bestselling Flemish novel, it centers on an isolated woman named Eva (Charlotte de Bruyne) who returns to the village she grew up in with an ice block in the back of her car. There, […]
The post “I Wanted To Take a Closer Look at How People Shut Down”: Veerle Baetens on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “I Wanted To Take a Closer Look at How People Shut Down”: Veerle Baetens on When It Melts first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/21/2023
- by Isaac Feldberg
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Versatile Belgian actress Veerle Baetens, known for her incandescent turn as the bluegrass-singing mom whose daughter takes ill in Oscar-nominated “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” joins the Sundance World Feature Competition with her provocative feature directing debut, “When It Melts,” an unflinching portrait of the lasting impact of untreated trauma. Film screens Jan. 21.
What drew you to adapt Lize Spit’s prize-winning novel “The Melting”?
At first, it was an offer a producer made. I read the book and I was touched by young Eva’s desire to be valued, to be loved. With the adult Eva, I felt sorry, but I found her difficult to grasp and thus fascinating. I know people who have been silenced and later on silence themselves. By making this movie I wanted to get closer to understanding people who have buried their pain deep inside of them, where no one can see it and where it silently hollows them out.
What drew you to adapt Lize Spit’s prize-winning novel “The Melting”?
At first, it was an offer a producer made. I read the book and I was touched by young Eva’s desire to be valued, to be loved. With the adult Eva, I felt sorry, but I found her difficult to grasp and thus fascinating. I know people who have been silenced and later on silence themselves. By making this movie I wanted to get closer to understanding people who have buried their pain deep inside of them, where no one can see it and where it silently hollows them out.
- 1/21/2023
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
When It Melts
Belgian actress Veerle Baetens (best known for The Broken Circle Breakdown and Mothers’ Instinct) moved behind the camera for her directorial debut on a project that was getting terrific buzz (plus Prix Arte Kino Intl. coin) before it even went into production. A book-to-film adaptation based on Lize Spit’s Het Smelt — When It Melts is a film that highlights loneliness, burying the pain and as Baetens illustrates … it is the quiet people who have the loudest minds. Rosa Marchant and Charlotte De Bruyne share the same character and….the same traumas. Savage Films’ Bart Van Langendonck (Racer and the Jailbird) is producing.…...
Belgian actress Veerle Baetens (best known for The Broken Circle Breakdown and Mothers’ Instinct) moved behind the camera for her directorial debut on a project that was getting terrific buzz (plus Prix Arte Kino Intl. coin) before it even went into production. A book-to-film adaptation based on Lize Spit’s Het Smelt — When It Melts is a film that highlights loneliness, burying the pain and as Baetens illustrates … it is the quiet people who have the loudest minds. Rosa Marchant and Charlotte De Bruyne share the same character and….the same traumas. Savage Films’ Bart Van Langendonck (Racer and the Jailbird) is producing.…...
- 1/12/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The project is being showcased in the Work in Progress section of Re>Connext.
The Party Film Sales has acquired world sales rights to Belgian actor Veerle Baetens’ feature directorial debut When It Melts, which has just completed the first part of shooting.
The project is being showcased in the Work in Progress section of Re>Connext, the virtual edition of the annual Connext event showcasing films and TV series made in Flanders and Brussels.
Baetens is best-known internationally for her award-winning performances in features including The Broken Circle Breakdown and Mother’s Instinct and has recently broken into high-end...
The Party Film Sales has acquired world sales rights to Belgian actor Veerle Baetens’ feature directorial debut When It Melts, which has just completed the first part of shooting.
The project is being showcased in the Work in Progress section of Re>Connext, the virtual edition of the annual Connext event showcasing films and TV series made in Flanders and Brussels.
Baetens is best-known internationally for her award-winning performances in features including The Broken Circle Breakdown and Mother’s Instinct and has recently broken into high-end...
- 10/11/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Co-production funds to support the directorial debuts of the two actresses.
The feature directorial debuts of actresses Charlotte Le Bon and Veerle Baetens and a drama about the Bataclan terrorist attack have secured a share of €4.1m ($5m) from European cultural support fund Eurimages.
The Melting is being directed and co-written by Baetens, who is best known internationally for her performance in Felix van Groeningen’s Oscar-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown.
The Belgium-Netherlands co-production has received €310,000 in Eurimages support, adding to a financial boost from Screen Flanders last week and the ARTEKino International Prize at the Berlinale Co-Production Market earlier this year.
The feature directorial debuts of actresses Charlotte Le Bon and Veerle Baetens and a drama about the Bataclan terrorist attack have secured a share of €4.1m ($5m) from European cultural support fund Eurimages.
The Melting is being directed and co-written by Baetens, who is best known internationally for her performance in Felix van Groeningen’s Oscar-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown.
The Belgium-Netherlands co-production has received €310,000 in Eurimages support, adding to a financial boost from Screen Flanders last week and the ARTEKino International Prize at the Berlinale Co-Production Market earlier this year.
- 12/15/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Directorial debut of ‘Broken Circle Breakdown’ actress Veerle Baetens among features.
The directorial debut of The Broken Circle Breakdown actress Veerle Baetens is among nine productions to secure more than €2m ($2.4m) from Flemish economic fund Screen Flanders.
The Melting has been co-written by Baetens, who is set to begin shooting the drama in Flanders next year, and has received €130,000 in support from the fund.
Based on a bestselling novel by Lize Spit, the story centres on a young woman who returns to her home village with a large block of ice in her car and plans to take revenge...
The directorial debut of The Broken Circle Breakdown actress Veerle Baetens is among nine productions to secure more than €2m ($2.4m) from Flemish economic fund Screen Flanders.
The Melting has been co-written by Baetens, who is set to begin shooting the drama in Flanders next year, and has received €130,000 in support from the fund.
Based on a bestselling novel by Lize Spit, the story centres on a young woman who returns to her home village with a large block of ice in her car and plans to take revenge...
- 12/8/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Documentaries and dramas impressed industry professionals at the Ghent event.
Flanders Image’s CONNeXT event in Ghent showcased documentary films for the first time, some of which impressed industry professionals even more than the usual fiction projects.
Pieter Jan De Pue’s Four Brothers, about four Ukrainian siblings torn apart by war, won the work-in-progress award.
The international jury praised how “the story ambitions and scope of the project leaves an undeniable impression…how war can tear apart even the tightest of bonds.”
Bart Van Langendonck of leading Belgian production company Savage Film produces. The project previously won the Cph:Dox Eurimges Co-Production Award.
Flanders Image’s CONNeXT event in Ghent showcased documentary films for the first time, some of which impressed industry professionals even more than the usual fiction projects.
Pieter Jan De Pue’s Four Brothers, about four Ukrainian siblings torn apart by war, won the work-in-progress award.
The international jury praised how “the story ambitions and scope of the project leaves an undeniable impression…how war can tear apart even the tightest of bonds.”
Bart Van Langendonck of leading Belgian production company Savage Film produces. The project previously won the Cph:Dox Eurimges Co-Production Award.
- 10/9/2019
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
-
Flanders Image’s CONNeXT event in Ghent showcased documentary films for the first time, some of which impressed industry professionals even more than the usual fiction projects.
Pieter Jan De Pue’s Four Brothers, about four Ukrainian siblings torn apart by war, won the work-in-progress award.
The international jury praised how “the story ambitions and scope of the project leaves an undeniable impression…how war can tear apart even the tightest of bonds.”
Bart Van Langendonck of leading Belgian production company Savage Film produces. The project previously won the Cph:Dox Eurimges Co-Production Award.
Another doc, Janet van den Brand...
Flanders Image’s CONNeXT event in Ghent showcased documentary films for the first time, some of which impressed industry professionals even more than the usual fiction projects.
Pieter Jan De Pue’s Four Brothers, about four Ukrainian siblings torn apart by war, won the work-in-progress award.
The international jury praised how “the story ambitions and scope of the project leaves an undeniable impression…how war can tear apart even the tightest of bonds.”
Bart Van Langendonck of leading Belgian production company Savage Film produces. The project previously won the Cph:Dox Eurimges Co-Production Award.
Another doc, Janet van den Brand...
- 10/9/2019
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Conference speakers to include Rikke Ennis, Philip Knatchbull and Walter Iuzzolino.
The Broken Circle Breakdown and Tabula Rasa actress Veerle Baetens will pitch her directorial debut, The Melting, at the fourth edition of Flanders Image’s annual film and TV showcase CONNeXT (October 6-9).
The Melting is adapted from Lize Spit’s novel about a woman looking back on one pivotal summer with the two boys who were her best friends in the small Flemish town of Bovenmeer.
CONNeXT invites international experts to Ghent to preview or screen features and TV series made in Flanders and Brussels. In past years,...
The Broken Circle Breakdown and Tabula Rasa actress Veerle Baetens will pitch her directorial debut, The Melting, at the fourth edition of Flanders Image’s annual film and TV showcase CONNeXT (October 6-9).
The Melting is adapted from Lize Spit’s novel about a woman looking back on one pivotal summer with the two boys who were her best friends in the small Flemish town of Bovenmeer.
CONNeXT invites international experts to Ghent to preview or screen features and TV series made in Flanders and Brussels. In past years,...
- 9/16/2019
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Award-winning Belgian star to make directorial debut on novel adaptation.
Veerle Baetens, voted European actress of the Year in 2013 for her role in The Broken Circle Breakdown, is to make her directorial debut with the big-screen adaptation of Lize Spit’s debut novel The Melting (Het smelt).
The revenge drama reunites Baetens with producer Dirk Impens of Ghent-based Menuet, the company behind Oscar-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown and Code 37, which both starred the Belgian actress.
Menuet also recently produced Belgica, Café Derby, Coppers and In Flanders Fields. The Dutch co-producer is Topkapi Films. Baetens is to script the feature but it is yet to be decided whether she will act in it.
Baetens is also known for films including The White Queen and Berlinale entry News From Planet Mars, and has appeared in TV series The Team and the upcoming Beyond the Walls (Au-delà des murs) and Tabula Rasa, which she co-wrote...
Veerle Baetens, voted European actress of the Year in 2013 for her role in The Broken Circle Breakdown, is to make her directorial debut with the big-screen adaptation of Lize Spit’s debut novel The Melting (Het smelt).
The revenge drama reunites Baetens with producer Dirk Impens of Ghent-based Menuet, the company behind Oscar-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown and Code 37, which both starred the Belgian actress.
Menuet also recently produced Belgica, Café Derby, Coppers and In Flanders Fields. The Dutch co-producer is Topkapi Films. Baetens is to script the feature but it is yet to be decided whether she will act in it.
Baetens is also known for films including The White Queen and Berlinale entry News From Planet Mars, and has appeared in TV series The Team and the upcoming Beyond the Walls (Au-delà des murs) and Tabula Rasa, which she co-wrote...
- 4/8/2016
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
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