The crisis of masculinity subgenre gets reworked in this one-of-a-kind documentary, which follows, with surprising humility and hilarity, the downward spiral of two Belgian farmers’ mid-life crises. Left by his wife for another man, Marcel falls into a deep depression and alcoholism, with only his friend Bob, also an alcoholic, to look after him. Ne Me Quitte Pas is a tender, funny, and disturbing examination of the fragile male ego. Set against the beautifully photographed Belgian landscape, Dutch filmmakers Sabine Lubbe Bakker & Niels van Koevorden deliver an unforgettable portrayal of the true meaning of friendship.
- Frederic Boyer
This film is co-presented by:
CAST & CREDITS
Directed by Sabine Lubbe Bakker and Niels van Koevorden
Filmmaker Sabine Lubbe Bakker was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, studying in The Netherlands and Brazil. Her credits include the award-winning documentary, Shout (2010), Power to the People (2012), and Hotel Europe (2013). Her last film, Ne Me Quitte Pas (with co-director Niels van Koevorden), is premiering at the IDFA this year. Niels van Koevorden spent his childhood in Belgium and studied at the Dutch Film Academy in Amsterdam. His senior film, Lukomir – Six Months Off (2010), was rewarded with the VPRO documentary award for best graduation documentary; his second short documentary, By Her Side, won several awards as well. Ne Me Quitte Pas (in co-direction with Sabine Lubbe Bakker), is his first feature-length film.
Director
Sabine Lubbe Bakker, Niels van Koevorden
Screenwriter
Sabine Lubbe Bakker, Niels van Koevorden
Producer
Pieter van Huystee
Editor
Sabine Lubbe Bakker, Niels van Koevorden
Cinematographer
Niels van Koevorden
Executive Producer
Mirjam Bal, Constant van Panhuys, Rosan Boersma, Lotte Gerding