Sadly our request to the Flemish government to support the writing of the scenario for Een lege Wereld has been denied.

In the notes they shared about the decision, the commission –as usual– expressed their appreciation for our professionalism, our long career, our international reputation and our original style. And then –also as usual, I’m afraid– they continue by expressing their lack of faith in our ability to make something beautiful. I don’t know what it takes to gain somebody’s trust as an artist in Belgium!

They liked the positivism of the beauty of nature as the central idea but doubted that that would be enough to keep the film interesting. They also think Meomi’s graphic style is insufficiently innovative and kitschy. Meh. Three rejections. I guess that’s it. We’ll have to figure out another way to get this project made.

—Michaël.