Igor, aged 15, and his father Roger deal in housing and peddling illicit labor in the outlying districts of Liege, Belgium. Scams, lies and swindling rule their lives. When one of his father’s illegal workers gets injured on the job and asks Igor to promise to take care of his wife and baby, Igor finds himself at a crossroad. He wants to keep the promise, but the price would be to betray his father.
Acting
Jérémie Renier's face does more than most scripts ever could.
Direction
The Dardennes' handheld camera clings to Igor like guilt itself.
Writing
Zero moralizing—just devastating choices and their consequences.
Director
Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was the Dardennes' breakthrough after years of documentaries—Jérémie Renier was only 14 during filming, and they discovered him in a local casting call.
Shot in Seraing, the Dardennes' hometown, using real locations and non-professional locals—this industrial belt became their signature territory.
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