On The Edge Of Happiness

Original Title: On The Edge Of Happiness

70' | 2016 (Completed)

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(4 images)

Director:	Wil Mathijs
Producer:	Wil Mathijs
Writer:	Wil Mathijs

Full credits

A socially realistic, raw, observational, existentialist and contemplative film portraying the life of Bulgarians living in a dilapidated shanty town.

synopsis

After Bulgaria became an EU Member State in 2007, it became possible for Bulgarians to travel and work freely in Europe since 2014. For several years, two colleagues Stefan and Niki, together with their families, have attempted to find a dignified life and a bit of happiness in Ghent, Belgium. In the industrial periphery of the city, they take shelter in a dilapidated barrack within the immense domain of the public transport company De Lijn, hoping for a job, social support or a home that will never come. On The Edge Of Happiness is a socially surreal, observational, existential film that penetrates life in the barracks. It is a story about friendship, dreams, perseverance, social justice, poverty, inter-European migration, human rights, tolerance, loyalty and, ultimately, fate. A contemporary Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' set in our fragmented European backyard, in the shadow of the current migration and homeless crisis.
Nadat Bulgarije in 2007 toetreedt als lidstaat van de Europese Unie, wordt het in 2014 voor vele Bulgaren mogelijk om vrij te reizen en te werken in Europa. Al jaren proberen collega's Stefan en Niki om samen met hun families een waardig leven en een klein beetje geluk te vinden in Gent in België. Ergens in de industriële rand van de stad nemen ze hun intrek in een vervallen schuurtje op het immense domein van de openbarevervoersmaatschappij De Lijn, hopend op een job, maatschappelijke ondersteuning of een huis dat ze nooit zullen krijgen. On The Edge Of Happiness is een sociaal surreële, observerende, existentiële film die diep in het leven in de sloppenwijk doordringt. Het is een verhaal over vriendschap, dromen, doorzettingsvermogen, sociale rechtvaardigheid, armoede, migratie, mensenrechten, verdraagzaamheid, trouw en uiteindelijk het noodlot. Een hedendaagse versie van Becketts 'Wachten op Godot' die zich afspeelt in onze versnipperde Europese achtertuin, in de schaduw van de migranten- en daklozencrisis.

Credits

Director
Wil Mathijs
Producer
Wil Mathijs
Writer
Wil Mathijs
Editing
Pieter Smet
Photography
Wil Mathijs
Sound
WIl Mathijs, Henk Rabau, Ellen Vandewalle, Arno Lambregts

Format

Creation details

Type
Film
Category
Doc
Production share
Majority Flemish Production
Belgium
Genre
Year of production

2016
Production status
Completed
Original title
On The Edge Of Happiness

Technical specs

Running time
70'
Available in
2D
Aspect ratio
16:9
Sound format
5.1 (+ sub)
Available formats
Apple ProRes 422
Colour
Colour

Contact & sales

Contact

Elementrik Films

Alfons Sifferstraat 32
9930 Lievegem
Belgium

T 0495271687
control@elementrikfilms.com

www.elementrikfilms.com

Details

Festivals & awards

Festivals

No festival information available.

Awards

No award information available.

Partners

Co-production partners

IKON

Supported by

the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), City Ghent, Province of East Flanders, Caritas

Tax shelter

Added Value, Lava Architecten

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On The Edge Of Happiness

synopsis

Credits

Director

Producer

Writer

Editing

Photography

Sound

Format

Creation details

Type

Category

Production share

Genre

Year of production

Production status

Original title

Technical specs

Running time

Available in

Aspect ratio

Sound format

Available formats

Colour