Maybe it’s because I’m from Brussels, or because it spread quite some controversy in Belgian and French media but, boy oh boy, this one was quite something! Despite being an applauded movie by film critics in Belgium, Black (2015) was banned in France due to its very explicit violence. The movie, being based on true events, and real life gangs in Brussels, was a hard-to-swallow pill for French theaters.
I remember the first time I ever watched the movie, on an illegal streaming platform. After viewing it, my first thought was: “This was SO violent and hard to watch, how the hell did they manage to make this ??!!” but I also felt so proud to see Brussels on screen. Being used to seeing big cities such as LA or Paris or London in movies, I get chills and/or so happy any time Brussels is mentioned or shown. Bruxelles, ma belle!
Black, created in Belgium in 2015 by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, explores how young people of color in gangs navigate their intersecting identities and try to make sense of who they are and find their place in their respective gangs. Through the lens of stereotypes, the film heavily critiques social structures in Belgian society. Moreover, the movie prompts viewers to confront their biases and prejudices by showcasing the complexities of identity and the challenges faced by young people of color. This shock value element encourages critical discussions on the factors contributing to gang involvement, like socio-economic disparities, discrimination, and the lack of positive role models and opportunities. However, let me give you some trigger warnings if you decide to watch the movie: the film is very violent, contains some racial slurs/racism, and there are 2 rape scenes.
Now, personally, I often find myself troubled with this need of putting people of color in this spot of extreme violence and representing them as nothing but stereotypes. Is this what we want as representation? Especially, when we see how Belgium often treats some of its biggest non-Belgian minorities, Moroccans and Congolese diasporas. However, let me say this: the movie is an extremely good critique on Belgian social structure! And boy… we do need some critique on it!
Through the experiences of the 2 protagonists, Marwan and Marvela, the movie sheds light on a world of crime and despair. We enter this subculture of violence and routine made of activities of a violent nature. The subculture of violence they’re in normalizes behaviors that support, encourage, and condone violence (even rape culture in some instances). Violence is expected as a response in order to avoid disrespect and being seen as ‘less’ or ‘weak’. Toxic masculinity 101!
It’s one thing to show despair: it’s another thing to go deeper and address the failure of institutions, such as law enforcement and education, that address the underlying issues contributing to social unrest. The portrayal of corrupt police officers and ineffective schools reflects the bigger problem of systemic injustice and inequality. It implicitly addresses police brutality. It is not as heavy as in the USA, but still very present in Europe, where some (apparently) believe that racism does not exist.
Black delves into the issue of racism in Brussels. What I particularly liked about how they portrayed it, is how they used the double axis of “us VS them”. By showing the POC VS Belgian/white people dynamic, but also the “Moroccans VS Congolese” dynamic. If you didn’t know, African solidarity is very very hard to achieve….
The acting by the two main actors, Martha Canga Antonio (who plays Marvela) and Aboubakr Bensaïhi (who plays Marwan) is great and very natural! For me, it always feels a bit awkward to watch movies where French is spoken. I feel weirded out by hearing my mother language for some reason. In Black, they use particular Brussels’ slang, or it might just be francophone slang, which I also use in my daily life. This time, because the movie is from Brussels and the actors delivered the lines in such a natural way, I did not feel alienated at all. It did feel a bit funny but the actors made it seem like it could just have been a discussion I could’ve heard on the metro on my way to the city center!
Now, the cinematography of the movie is not the greatest in my opinion. But the choice of cinematographic style could be justified because it is a raw depiction of urban life in Brussels. There’s no romanticizing of the city. Which, and let me contradict myself, makes it so much better.
If you’ve never heard of Brussels and decide to watch this, please do not think the city is dangerous. Come and visit, we’re welcoming, charming, and always ready for a good time! After all, Belgium is known for its great fries, beer and chocolate, right?
However, just like other great cities that do tend to get diminished with preconceived ideas, Brussels gets to shapeshift with Black and gets to be shown as a complex city.
Black
Written by Adil El Arbi, Billal Fallah, Nele Meirhaeghe, and Hans Herbots; Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
2015
95 minutes
French, Dutch
Recommended way to watch (at time of publication): On Stremio (if you’re from Belgium) (Ed. Note: This is very hard to find outside of Belgium at the moment, but the second it’s available you’ll be getting a reminder from Movie Night!)
You’ll like this if you like: La Haine (1995), City of God (2002)