We Believe You
| We Believe You | |
|---|---|
 Festival release poster | |
| French | On vous croit |
| Directed by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Pépin Struye |
| Edited by | Nicolas Bier |
| Music by | Lolita Del Pino |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | The Party Film Sales |
Release date |
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Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country |
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| Language | French |
We Believe You (French: On vous croit) is a 2025 Belgian drama film directed by Arnaud Dufeys, Charlotte Devillers in their first feature. The film follows Alice, who stands before a judge, knowing there is no room for error. She must speak up for her children, as her custody is being called into question.[1][2]
It was selected in Perspectives at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and was screened on 17 February 2025.[3][4] At the 2025 René Awards, it received a leading eleven nominations, including Best First Feature Film and Best Director for Devillers and Dufeys.[5]
Synopsis
Alice, a 40-year-old mother, fights to protect her children in a justice system that scrutinizes her instead of their father. As she struggles to make their fears heard, the film explores the challenges women face and how the legal system handles family and domestic violence.
Cast
- Myriem Akheddiou as Alice
- Laurent Capelluto
- Natali Broods as The judge
- Ulysse Goffin as the children
- Adèle Pinckaers as the children
Production
The film written, directed and produced by Arnaud Dufeys, Charlotte Devillers, stars Myriem Akheddiou and Laurent Capelluto. The film was produced by Makintosh with support from the Film and Audiovisual Centre. The film has backing from the Belgian National Lottery, Be TV, RTBF, Proximus and the federal Tax Shelter initiative via Shelter Prod/ING. It was filmed in Brussels and wrapped up in May 2024.[6]
Release
We Believe You had its world premiere on 17 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Perspectives.[7]
The film competed in Feature Film Competition 2025 at the 26th edition of the International Music & Cinema Festival in Marseille that took place from March 24 to 29, 2025.[8]
It was presented in Official Section of 22nd Seville European Film Festival on 8 November 2025,[9][10] and on 9 November 2025, it was presented in European Discoveries section of Arras Film Festival.[11][12]
Accolades
The film selected in the newly formed Perspectives competition will compete for Best First Feature Award.[13][14]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin International Film Festival | 23 February 2025 | GWFF Best First Feature Award Special Mention | We Believe You | Special Mention | [15][16] |
| Seville European Film Festival | 15 November 2025 | Golden Giraldillo | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Charlotte Devillers, Arnaud Dufeys | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Myriem Akeddiou | Won | |||
| Cork International Film Festival | 16 November 2025 | Spirit of the Festival Award – Best Film | We Believe You | Won |
References
- ^ "We Believe You". Berlinale. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ "Feature Film Competition 2025: We believe you". International Festival Music & Cinema Marseille. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ Davide Abbatescianni (21 January 2025). "The Berlinale unveils the titles playing in its Competition and its Perspectives and Berlinale Special strands". Cineuropa. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ Rosser, Michael (21 January 2025). "Berlin film festival reveals 2025 competition line-up 2025". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ "Voici les nominations aux René du Cinéma 2026" (in French). RTBF. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ Engelen, Aurore (3 June 2024). "The final clapperboard slams on On vous croit by Arnaud Dufeys and Charlotte Devillers". Cineuropa. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Richard Linklater, Jessica Chastain, A$AP Rocky & Marion Cotillard Movies Among Vibrant Selection". Deadline. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ "Feature Film Competition 2025". Music & Cinema Festival. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ "We Believe You". Seville European Film Festival. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ Rivera, Alfonso (4 November 2025). "The Seville European Film Festival readies its 22nd edition". Cineuropa. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ "We Believe You". Arras Film Festival. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (4 November 2025). "European cinema in all its diversity to be unleashed at the Arras Film Festival". Cineuropa. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ "The Programme of Perspectives". Berlinale. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "Berlinale Launches Perspectives, a New International Competition for Feature-Length Fiction Debuts, Strengthening the Profile of New Talent Within the Festival". 2 July 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ Scott Roxborough (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Movies From Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, Hang Song-Soo in Competition (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ "The Awards of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival" (PDF). Berlinale. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
- ^ "'We Believe You' gana el Giraldillo de Oro del 22 Festival de Cine Europeo de Sevilla". Europa Press (in Spanish). 15 November 2025. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (17 November 2025). "The Cork International Film Festival crowns the victors of its landmark 70th edition". Cineuropa. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
External links
- We Believe You at IMDb
- We Believe You at AlloCiné (in French)
- We Believe You at Berlinale
- We Believe You at The Party Film Sales