22/05/2003 - Fortnight applauds Thomas de Thier's debut with a beautifully photographed dramatic family story that was made in the familiar settings of the director's own childhood

CANNES SPECIAL 2003

The Directors' Fortnight audience gave Belgian newcomer, Thomas de Thier's first feature film, Des plumes dans la tête [+see also:
trailer
film profile], a very warm welcome. It is a beautifully photographed story of a family tragedy set against the backdrop of a sugar factory.
Thomas de Thier decided to make this film in a setting that he is familiar with, the reservoirs where sugar beet matures and ferments into sugar and situated in Genappe in Walloon, just a few kilometres from de Thier's home. When he was younger, de Thier often visited these huge ponds that attract flocks of migratory birds. "The remains of the sugar beet turn the water into a red dense mass and that attracts the tired birds," said de Thier. "On occasion the water appears black and spectral dead tree trunks emerge. Genappe is a place that is reminiscent of the settings Tarkovsky chose for his L'enfance. I used to dream of bringing a film camera with me to the water's edge and film the passing of the seasons. When a place inspires you, the story just flows." Thomas de Trier tells this tragic tale with touching lyricism, enhanced by the musical score that blends classical music with capella singing and the cries of the migrating birds. The images of this natural paradise are more eloquent than words and his DP, Virginie Saint-Martin did an excellent job in portraying this place.
Des plumes dans la tête was co-produced by Belgium's Magellan Production and France's JBA Production, with Films Distribution handling international sales.