Wil
A television director for about a decade (including episodes for Peaky Blinders), Tim Mielants got into features with 2019’s Patrick (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival) followed by 2021’s Nobody Has to Know (a non-solo which had its world preem at TIFF). Production on the ambitious WWII drama Wil took place in May of last year in Liege and Poland featuring Stef Aerts, Matteo Simoni, Annelore Crollet, Kevin Janssens, Dirk Roofthooft, Dimitrij Schaad and Pierre Bokma. Producers include Hans Everaert, Guy Goedgezelschap, Tomas Leyers and Jan Segers.
Gist: Based on the bestselling novel by Jeroen Olyslaegers and written by Carl Joos, Wilfried Wils is an auxiliary policeman in Antwerp at the start of the Second World War. The city is in the grip of violence and distrust. Wilfried does what he can for himself, avoiding paths that are too slippery. He receives attention and material support from a man who has sided with the German occupier, Meanbeard, but he also enjoys the confidence of his anti-Nazi colleague Lode, brother to Wilfried’s love Yvette. Wilfried struggles to survive as the persecution of the Jews proceeds unabated.
Release Date/Prediction: We’re thinking a Directors’ Fortnight premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
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