Tom (Stef Aerts) and his brother Lucas (Maarten Mertens) are young men who suffer from cystic fybrosis, a genetic disease that slowly destroys their lungs. Tom is struggling to cope with his short life expectancy and hangs around with a gang of hoodlums. In the hospital, he meets Xavier (Wouter Hendrickx), a young man suffering from the same illness but behaving like a top athlete. Xavier is a confirmed optimist, even when he is dumped by his girlfriend Anneleen (Marie Vinck). Tom takes in Xavier’s energy and joy of life. He roams the hospital grounds and falls for the charms of quirky Eline (Anemone Valcke), who has been quarantined for months due to an infection. They are not allowed to touch and can only talk to each other over the phone. Yet, they start a romance. When Tom’s brother Lucas dies during lung transplantation surgery, Tom is inconsolable. He seeks refuge among his rough friends, avoids Xavier and breaks up with Eline. But one day, he again crosses Xavier’s path who gives him back his taste for life…

Cast

• Stef Aerts
• Wouter Hendrickx
• Rik Verheye
• Anemone Valcke
• Marie Vinck
• Gijs Scholten van Aschat
• Ina Geerts
• Kris Cuppens
• Maarten Mertens

More info

Feature film
Release year: 2010
Supported by: Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds, Nederlands Fonds voor de Film, Eurimages, Belgische Vereniging voor Strijd tegen Mucoviscidose, Tax Shelter van de Federale Belgische Regering, Free Record Shop, Luc Van Aelbroeck, Kinepolis Group, Jan Delaere, Gerardiphar, Apotheek Du Faux, Eldi, Casa Kafka Pictures Movie Tax Shelter empowered by Dexia
Distributor: Paradiso Films
Release & festivals:

Winner European Discovery FIPRESCI Award - European Film Awards
Winner Grand Prix des Amériques and Ecumenic Jury Award - World Film Festival Montréal
Winner Best Flemish film (+12) - FF Oostende
Winner Variety New Talent Award - Zurich Film Festival
Winner Marco Aurelio della Città Award - Rome Film Festival ; Winner Grand Prix Hydro-Québec - Festival du Cinéma Rouyn Noranda ; Winner Audience Award and Best Actor - International Film Festival Amiens ; Winner Audience award, Special Mention from the Jury, Coup de Coeur de L'Inserm and Best actor - Festival Cinéma Science ; Winner Best Screenplay - Festival International du film d'Aubagne ; Winner Best Film - Mamers-en Mars Festival de Film Européens
Film Festival Maastricht ; East End Film Festival ; Made in Europe Film Festival Aachen ; Transilvania Film Festival ; Nederlands Film Festival ; Sevilla European Film Festival ; Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival ; Just Film ; Festival de Cinéma Européen des Arcs ; Palm Springs International Film Festival ; Istanbul International Film Festival ; Palm Beach International Film Festival ; Cinequest Film Festival