Film Archive

In the Name of the Son

Forum of Independents - Competition 2013 / Au nom du fils / Belgium, France 2012

Elisabeth is a woman devoted to her faith who works as a Catholic radio host. After she is devastated by family tragedy, she finds the strength within herself to face the situation in a way she never imagined. Using absurdity and black humor critical of the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church, the movie refuses to let viewers sit back quietly in their comfortable theater seats.

Synopsis

Elisabeth is completely devoted to her faith, her two sons, and her work as a Catholic radio host where she evinces profound empathy for the sufferings of people around the world. After an unexpected family tragedy, Elisabeth summons an inveterate and unexpected strength that enables her to face her new situation in a way she never imagined. With intransigent determination she stands up against the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church whose obdurate silence introduces chaos into its flock. This new film from an original Belgian director, who seems to enjoy rousting viewers out of their comfortable cinema seats, is an absurd, genre-mixing thriller spiced with the blackest of humor. In its use of sarcasm and political incorrectness it is reminiscent of another Belgian offering, the cult film Aaltra (KVIFF 2004). Director Vincent Lannoo enlisted help on the script of his uncompromising movie from longtime friend and gifted Québécois director Philippe Falardeau.

About the film

80 min / Color, DCP
International premiere
Director Vincent Lannoo / Screenplay Vincent Lannoo, Philippe Falardeau / Dir. of Photography Vincent van Gelder / Music Michelino Busceglia / Editor Frédérique Broos / Producer Lionel Jadot / Production Yoni Production / Cast Astrid Whettnall, Filippe Nahon, Zacharie Chasseriaud, Achille Ridolfi, Albert Chassagne / Contact Yoni Productions, Intramovies
www: www.aunomdufils.com

About the director

Vincent Lannoo (b. 1970, Brussels) ranks among the most distinctive Belgian directors. He deftly combines multiple genres in his films and always strives for the most direct communication with the viewer. He graduated from the Institute of Media Arts (IAD) near Brussels, where he shot the short films Best Wishes and Nathan; his 1995 graduation film was entitled X-Mas in Space. At school in 1998 he made the short documentary I Love the Movies, winning a Golden Iris and a Crystal Star for Best European Short at the Brussels IFF. Then came the independent feature Strass (2002), which combined fact and fiction, followed by Ordinary Man (2005), the docudrama Vampires (2010), and Little Glory (2011). In the Name of the Son is his latest film.