Ruben Desiere

Echo

Watch trailer

Director Ruben Desiere Composer Jordan Dykstra Cast Walter Van Dyck

Explore Zone Docs Belgian Cinema Today

4.69/5

Edition 2022

Official Selection

74' - 2022 - Documentary - Dialogue: Dutch, French, English

With Echo Ruben Desiere offers a surprising glimpse into the training of Belgian soldiers, who are subjected to almost theatrical role-plays and the authority of an amiable commander.

Accattone Films has produced many a minimalist yet accomplished film, including Etangs Noirs, Kind Hearts and now Echo, a documentary by founder Ruben Desiere. In what is definitely an intriguing glimpse into the training of Belgian soldiers, we follow the young recruits of Peleton Echo under the tutelage of commander Walter Van Dyck, who acts as a strict but human "school principle". By means of role-play, an image of their future as professional soldiers steadily appears. From learning how to salute and march, to lessons in war ethics and even sketching designated areas, Desiere's camera follows everything closely and emphasises the abstract and almost theatrical nature of the training; as if the recruits are giving a performance over and over again.

Under the tutelage of commander Walter Van Dyck, young recruits of the Belgian Armed Forces receive their basic military training. By means of role-play, an image of their future as professional soldiers steadily appears. Echo meticulously documents this intentional metamorphosis.