The Wall (original title Le Mur) is a 1998 Belgian tragicomedy film, directed by Alain Berliner for the 2000, Seen By... series. The story is a surreal satirical allegory of the bi-lingual problems in Belgium.
Contents
Plot
Belgium, 1999. Albert is a 35-year old Walloon philosopher who works as a Belgian fries salesman. His store is located right on the Belgian language border. He serves his customers in Flanders and bakes his fries in Wallonia. Albert fancies the Flemish woman Wendy. After a new year celebration Albert wakes up and discovers to his horror that overnight a giant wall has been built on the language border, effectively separating Flanders from Wallonia. His store is therefore cut in half. As a citizen of Wallonia he is only able to travel to Flanders by using a visa...
Production
The film was made for the 2000, Seen By... project, initiated by the French company Hout et Court to produce films depicting the approaching turn of the millennium seen from the perspectives of 10 different countries.
Cast
Daniel Hanssens: Albert
Pascale Bal: Wendy
Mil Seghers: Marcel
Michael Pas: Stijn
Peter Michel: Ivo
Damien Gillard: Didier
Peter Rouffaer: Fred
Harry Cleven: Gréviste
Dett Peyskens: Nicole
Laurence Bibot: Journalist
Daniël Van Avermaet: Negotiator
Emile Ringoot: Soldier
Bruno Van De Voorde: Flemish man
François Lahaye: Walloon woman
Julian Cope: Mel
Michèle Laroque: The TV announcer