Jean (2026)
Over the course of eight years, the film draws an intimate portrait of Jean Ciesielski, a teenager growing up in Antwerp. Moving through a succession of schools and educational tracks, Jean searches for a place within a system that has defined him from a young age. At twelve years old, he speaks about his situation with a striking maturity and clarity. As he gets older, Jean feels an increasing urgency for change. Unable to obtain a regular secondary school diploma within his current track, he decides to change schools once more. His journey reveals how strongly the language and expectations of education have shaped the way he sees himself and his place in society.
Director: Jolke Van Aerde
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Jean Ciesielski as |
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Barbara Vermeiren as |
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Emile Ciesielski as |
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Benancio Leonard as |
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Lee-Jaylen Majkel as |
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Daniël Delforge as |
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Jorg Van Elsacker as |
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Constantin Papakonstantinou as |
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Tiago Beccu as |
| Directing | Jolke Van Aerde | Director |
| Writing | Jolke Van Aerde | Writer |
| Camera | Jolke Van Aerde | Director of Photography |
| Sound | Sabrina Calmels | Sound Designer |
| Editing | Dieter Diependaele | Editor |
| Production | Marguerite de Saint André | Producer |
| Production | Ruben Desiere | Producer |
| Sound | Kumail Syed | Sound Recordist |
| Sound | Aline Gavroy | Sound Mixer |
| Editing | Olivier Ogneux | Color Grading |
| Sound | Philippe van Leer | Foley Artist |
| Sound | Aline Gavroy | Foley Recordist |
| Sound | Sam Comerford | Musician |
| Sound | Mika Baudoux | Original Music Composer |
| Sound | Mika Baudoux | Music Supervisor |
| Sound | Laura Conant | Original Music Composer |