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REAL FACES by Leni Huyghe
Drama 92' BE Dutch Flemish French
Audience Award and a Special Mention of the Jury - Intersección 25

Filmfestival Oostende 26, Thessaloniki FF 25, St. Louis IFF 25, European FF South Africa 25, Intersección 25 WP - Global SXSW 2025


An ambitious casting agent, relocates to Brussels after a breakup and forms an unexpected kinship that inspires her to break free from societal expectations.

Julia (Leonie Buysse), an ambitious casting director, moves to Brussels and finds a freelance job in the advertising industry and meets Eliott (Gorges Ocloo), a reclused microbiologist who studies lichen and works on his PhD.


Intrigued by each other’s opposing professions and personalities, Julia and Eliott slowly grow closer. Julia gets assigned an important perfume ad and she sees it as the ultimate opportunity to prove herself. After her frantic long working days, Eliott is her only source of tranquility.


Until Julia loses herself and crosses people’s boundaries, including Eliott’s. During the perfume ad shoot, things spiral out of control, pushing Julia to finally decide to take life in her own hands.


"Vibrant examination of identity"- Hammer to Nail


"Explores the boundaries of authenticity"- Austin Chronicle


"Refreshing take on staring down the crossroads."- Screen Zealots


Director

Leni Huyghe


Producer

Elisa Heene


Screenwriter

Leni Huyghe, Vincent Vanneste


Cinematographer

Grimm Vandekerckhove


Editor

Tom Denoyette


Production Designer

Natalia Treviño


Sound Designer

Aïda Merghoub


Music

Natasha Pirard, LB Marszalek


Principal Cast

Leonie Buysse, Gorges Ocloo, Joely Mbundu, Yoann Blanc, Karlijn Sileghem


Co-producer

Julie Esparbes

Line Producers

Liesbet Vaes, Brechje Depourc

1 AD: Nathan Naened

Sound on Set: Calixte De Coster

Costume: Alexandra Sebbag


Benelux distribution by Brightfish