At Pink Apple, David Lambert is showing his new film “Les tortues”. It tells the story of a male couple facing divorce after 35 years together. DISPLAY followed the trail of this moving story and visited the director in Brussels.
I’ve arranged to meet David at the busy flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle. This spot plays a central role in his film, as Henri and Thom’s flat is just around the corner. The square is a meeting place in the Marolles district, a neighbourhood known for its lively atmosphere.
David is impossible to miss – an imposing presence and likeable from the very first moment. He leads me across the square, where an antiques market is held every day and anyone can offer their treasures for sale. Together we stroll along Rue Haute, whose designer shops, galleries and exotic restaurants make up the neighbourhood’s hip, artistic flair.
The neighbourhood’s food scene is international – from Iraqi falafel and Taiwanese rice noodles to vegan cafés and Belgian fries, this multicultural district has it all. David stresses that you can hear every language in the world here and how much he has fallen in love with this cultural melting pot.
“A couple at a crossroads”
The tortoises in “Les tortues” represent the long-standing bond and fidelity between partners, Lambert explains: “This symbolism runs through the entire plot and reflects the depths of human relationships that I want to explore.”
He wrote the screenplay himself and directed the film: “It’s like a matryoshka doll that unfolds layer by layer. The story begins in an intimate setting – in bed – moves on through the flat and then widens out to places in Brussels such as the antiques market. From there, the actors move through the Marolles district and finally right across the city.”
All of his films centre on people going through profound personal and existential challenges: “It’s important to me to get the audience thinking without giving them the answers. The audience should leave the cinema with these questions and keep thinking about them.”
Does “Les tortues” have a happy ending? “I don’t want to give too much away, but I warmly invite everyone to come to Pink Apple and see for themselves.”
SWISS flies to Brussels several times a day. The highlights on board: the LGBT-friendly crew and carefully selected products from Swiss premium brands such as Sprüngli, Soeder and Miro Coffee. swiss.com
Text: Carlo Crameri · Photos: Raphael Hadad · SWISS is the main partner of the Pink Apple film festival and made this report possible.
