Lost Persons Area

Marcus (Sam Louwyck) and Bettina (Lisbeth Gruwez) live with their nine-year-old daughter Tessa (Kimke Desart) in a vast no man”s land dominated by endless rows of old transmission towers. Marcus is a maintenance worker for the power lines, his wife Bettina runs the workers” canteen, while Tessa wanders through the desolate landscape day after day.

The couple”s life is fraught with unfulfilled dreams; perhaps the arrival of Marcus” new business partner, the charming Hungarian Szabolcs (Zoltan Miklos Hajdu), will bring about a sea change in their lives. A tragic accident abruptly puts an end to all their hopes.

According to the Flemish scriptwriter and director Caroline Strubbe, who was inspired for her suggestive feature film debut by the work of Wim Wenders and Michelangelo Antonioni, Lost Persons Area is an emotional trip involving four characters that are seeking happiness, but are faced with a harsh reality instead, The title is based on a photograph by Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt.

The film, intended as the first part of a trilogy, was shot in the port of Rotterdam.