Julian selected for Toronto

Cato Kusters graduated from RITCS School of Arts with the short film Finns Hiel (2022), which made an immediate impression. With Julian, she now delivers her first feature film, an adaptation of Fleur Pierets' 2019 novel of the same name. The film has been selected for TIFF's Discovery programme, a competition for first and second feature films by emerging international film talent.

After an unexpected encounter, Fleur and Julian fall madly in love. Soon after Julian proposes, an ambitious, yet challenging idea starts to dawn on Fleur. Slowly but surely she works out a plan to get married in every country where she and her wife are allowed to do so.

Fueled by their love and a rising sense of urgency, they take a leap of faith. After only four marriages, their journey comes to an inevitable, painful halt.

The film was directed by Cato Kusters, who also wrote the screenplay with Angelo Tijssens. The lead roles of Fleur and Julian are played by Nina Meurisse and Laurence Roothooft.

Julian is a production by Michiel Dhont for The Reunion, in co-production with Dutch Topkapi Films and Les Films du Fleuve, the production house behind the Dardenne brothers. The Match Factory will handle international sales. Lumière will release the film in Benelux.

Julian was made with the support of VAF/Filmfonds and Screen Flanders, an initiative of VLAIO in collaboration with VAF.