HOLLY
Venezia 80 – Concorso
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, 2023 Director Fien Troch Starring Cathalina Geeraerts, Felix Heremans, Greet Verstraete, Serdi Faki Alici, Els Deceukelier, Maya Louisa Sterkendries, Robby Cleiren, Sara De Bosschere Running time 103′
Thanks to her fifth feature film, Belgian filmmaker Fien Troch gets the great satisfaction of the international competition at the Venice Film Festival. She had already been honoured in the Lagoon in 2016, but in the Orizzonti section, winning the best director award for the film Home.
Holly is the story of a 15-year-old girl who one morning decides that she doesn’t feel like going to school that day. Diligently, she calls the institution to let them know. Soon after, a fire breaks out in the school, killing several students. A tragic event that profoundly marks the community of which Holly is also a part. In such cases, they huddle together to give each other strength. But this girl’s presence seems to be able to give something more. Anna, one of the teachers at her school, is particularly intrigued by Holly and especially by her premonition. She then asks her to join the volunteer group she runs. And indeed, Holly’s mere presence seems to have a thaumaturgical effect on those around her, conveying tranquillity, warmth and hope. But as often happens in these situations, what is offered almost unconsciously is never enough for the recipient.
“Holly is set in a traumatized community that projects its needs and beliefs onto Holly,” explains director Fien Troch. “The group dynamic was important in creating a schizophrenic cinematic experience between the pain and madness of the characters and situations, emphasized by the pace of the narrative, first calm and then a crescendo to the final chaos. On the one hand, there is something authentic about the film, but there are also moments when mystical elements emerge, and we begin to doubt Holly’s special gift.“
