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Streaming: Julie Keeps Quiet (2024) by Leonardo Van Dijl — Silence, Power, and the Cost of Speaking Out

When Silence Becomes SurvivalDirected by Leonardo Van Dijl and co-written with Ruth Becquart, Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie zwijgt) is a Belgian drama set in the high-pressure world of an elite tennis academy. It follows Julie (Tessa Van den Broeck), a rising star whose coach falls under investigation for misconduct. While others are urged to testify, Julie refuses, keeping her silence as the weight of unspoken truths grows heavier. With nuanced performances from Grace Biot, Alyssa Lorette, and Koen De Bouw, the film explores trauma, complicity, and the quiet strength of those who refuse to play by society’s rules. Belgium selected the film as its official Oscar submission for Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards, cementing it as one of the country’s most important works in recent years.

Why to Recommend Movie – A Bold Drama That Demands Reflection

  • Tackles the "Me Too" Era in Sports – By centering on silence rather than testimony, it flips the usual narrative, raising complex questions about power, complicity, and survival. It forces audiences to think beyond easy answers.

  • A Character Study of Quiet Defiance – Julie’s refusal to speak becomes louder than any confession, reflecting the complexities of shame, fear, and agency. It makes her silence both haunting and powerful.

  • Visually Haunting Cinematography – Nicolas Karakatsanis captures dim light, still frames, and muted tones to evoke unease, leaving the audience unsettled. It reflects Julie’s own internal conflict.

  • Subtle Performances – Tessa Van den Broeck carries nearly every scene with restraint and intensity, portraying both the determination and vulnerability of a young athlete caught in crisis.

What is the Trend Followed – European Cinema and the Silence of Power

  • Minimalism in Storytelling – Continues the trend of European dramas that rely on stillness, ambiguity, and silence to reveal emotional truths.

  • Sports as a Metaphor for Power – Reflects a recent rise in films that use athletic training grounds to expose abuse, pressure, and the politics of ambition.

  • Post-Me Too Narratives – Joins a wave of global cinema examining sexual misconduct cases, but stands out by showing refusal to participate in official narratives.

  • Teen Perspective in Adult Issues – Places young athletes at the center of complex moral debates, aligning with modern stories that question authority through adolescent eyes.

Director’s Vision – Leonardo Van Dijl’s Subtle Lens on Silence

  • Chronological Fragments – Uses short, static scenes that leave gaps in the story, mimicking how trauma is often pieced together in fragments.

  • Ambiguity as Strength – Chooses not to reveal every detail of the abuse, leaving space for interpretation and discomfort.

  • Psychological Realism – Focuses more on atmosphere than spectacle, letting silence and glances speak louder than dialogue.

  • Cultural Reflection – Frames Julie’s silence as a critique of institutional suppression, where victims are often pressured to stay quiet.

Themes – Silence, Power, and the Weight of Truth

  • The Burden of Testimony – Shows the emotional difficulty of being asked to speak out when the cost may be greater than the reward.

  • Silence as Resistance – Suggests that refusal to cooperate can itself be a form of power, even if it’s misunderstood.

  • Sports and Exploitation – Reveals how ambition, training, and discipline create environments where abuse can thrive.

  • Isolation in Adolescence – Highlights how teenage athletes are often left alone to navigate adult pressures without support.

Key Success Factors – Why Julie Keeps Quiet Resonates Globally

  • Authentic Performances – Tessa Van den Broeck brings nuance to Julie’s silence, making it layered and complex.

  • Cinematography as Atmosphere – Nicolas Karakatsanis’ muted visuals heighten the sense of dread and ambiguity.

  • Topical Relevance – Reflects ongoing conversations about abuse in sports, making it both timely and essential.

  • Festival Recognition – With 8 wins and 22 nominations, it has already proven its international impact.

Awards & Nominations

  • 8 wins, 22 nominations including recognition at European film festivals.

  • Selected as Belgium’s Official Entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards (2025).

  • Applauded for cinematography and lead performance across multiple European award circuits.

Critics Reception – A Subtle, Divisive, and Haunting Drama

  • The Guardian – Praised it as “a quietly devastating character study,” though noted its ambiguity may frustrate some.

  • Variety – Highlighted its chilling atmosphere and restrained performances but acknowledged its slow pacing.

  • Indiewire – Called it “essential viewing” in the context of post-Me Too cinema, though divisive in execution.

  • Overall Summary – Critics agree it is haunting, timely, and important, even if not all audiences will appreciate its slow-burn style.

Reviews – Audience Perspectives on Julie’s Silence

  • Festival Audiences – Many praised its bravery in leaving questions unanswered, seeing ambiguity as strength.

  • Mixed Reactions – Some viewers criticized its slow pace and lack of narrative clarity, calling it frustrating.

  • Strong Praise for Acting – Nearly all agreed Tessa Van den Broeck delivered an outstanding performance.

  • Overall Summary – Viewers found it haunting and thought-provoking, though its restraint makes it polarizing.

Movie Trend – Silence as Cinema’s Loudest StatementThe film joins a movement of European dramas that use stillness and ambiguity to mirror societal unease. In a world demanding confessions and testimonies, Julie Keeps Quiet reminds audiences that silence can be just as unsettling. Its minimalist storytelling follows a larger trend where less is more, drawing audiences into spaces where answers are withheld deliberately.

Social Trend – The Global Reckoning in Sports and AbuseThe film aligns with real-world scandals in gymnastics, tennis, and football, where young athletes have begun to expose abuse by trusted figures. Julie’s silence reflects the uncomfortable reality that not every victim feels safe—or able—to speak out. In doing so, the film captures a cultural shift in how society views responsibility, truth, and the heavy cost of silence.

Final Verdict – A Quiet Film That Echoes LoudlyJulie Keeps Quiet is not a conventional sports drama—it is a meditation on silence, trauma, and power. Its restraint forces audiences to lean in, making every glance and pause feel weighty. While divisive, it is one of the most important European dramas of its year, a film that lingers long after the credits. For those willing to embrace its silence, it speaks volumes.


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