LUKA

Belgium/Italy/Netherlands/Bulgaria/Armenia |
2023 |
94 мин.

Script: Jessica Woodworth, inspired by Dino Buzzati’s classic novel, The Tartar Steppe
Director: Jessica Woodworth
Cinematography: Virginie Surdej
Music: Teho Teardo

Cast: Jonas Smulders, Geraldine Chaplin, Jan Bijvoet, Samvel Tadevossian, Django Schrevens, Sam Louwyck, Valentin Ganev

Production: Bo Films – Peter Brosens
Co-producers: Krater Films – Maarten D’Hollander, Tim Martens; Beluga Tree – Diana Elbaum; Palosanto Films – Flaminio Zadra, Pilar Saavedra Perrotta; Volya Films – Denis Vaslin, Fleur Knopperts; Art Fest – Stefan Kitanov, Mira Staleva; Dokino – Anzhela Frangyan

Supported by Audiovisivo (MIC); Belgian Federal Government Tax Shelter; Flanders Tax Shelter; EURIMAGES; Netherlands Film Fund (NFF) & Netherlands Film Production Incentive; Sicilia Film Commission; Bulgarian National Film Center; Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (CCA); Creative Europe-MEDIA Programme; VOO & BETV; National Cinema Center of Armenia; Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia

Luka, a young soldier, embeds himself in Fort Kairos where soldiers defend the remains of civilisation. The force is inexperienced and ruled by a High Command bloated with delusions of grandeur. Joy and hope bloom in his friendships with Konstantin, a radar engineer, and Geronimo, a light-hearted private. Amidst the desolate wastelands, their bond shines bright. Luka’s loyalty is tested when he spots an enemy to the north. Choosing friendship over the Fort’s code triggers tragic events that lead him ultimately to topple the illusion of Fort Kairos.

Festivals & Awards: World premiere at Rotterdam IFF 2023 ‘Big Screen’ Competition; Nomination for Best Artist at the FF in Ostend, Belgium—Sabina Hristova; Best Cinematographer Award at the Brussels IFF—Virginie Surdej; Golden Apricot ,Yerevan IFF

Jessica Woodworth is a Belgian-American film director, screenwriter and producer based in Belgium. Her fictional feature films, Khadak, Altiplano, The Fifth Season, King of the Belgians and The Barefoot Emperor, all made with Peter Brosens, have been screened at over 350 festivals and have won over 70 awards. Jessica has a degree in literature from Princeton University and a masters in documentary film from Stanford. She runs workshops for actors and directors, has been on juries worldwide, and frequently mentors film students.