A bitter winter, a remote village and a woman who arrives with a block of ice in her car – WHEN IT MELTS unfolds a gripping and harrowing story of guilt, trauma and revenge. Many years after a fateful summer that changed her childhood forever, Eva returns to her hometown. The heat of the summer contrasts with the cold that now permeates everything. In taking this courageous step, Eva confronts not only the past, but also the people who shaped her – and who caused her pain. Veerle Baetens, known for her acting, shows a remarkable sensitivity for emotional depth and atmospheric density with her directorial debut. Based on the novel WHEN IT MELTS (NL.: HET SMELT) by Lize Spit, the film impressively brings the complex inner world of its protagonist to the screen. The film's powerful impact is underscored by the international acclaim it has received: Rosa Marchant was honored with the Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Further honors, such as the audience award “Der Heinrich” at the Braunschweig International Film Festival and the award for best literary adaptation at the Litfilms Festival Münster, underscore the relevance and cinematic brilliance of this work. A film that blurs the boundaries between past and present and captivates viewers with its haunting narrative. WHEN IT MELTS is not only an impressive literary adaptation, but also a profound psychological drama that has a lasting effect.
A young woman's return to her homeland reveals a dark story from the past involving guilt, trauma and revenge.
A bitter winter, a remote village and a woman who arrives with a block of ice in her car – WHEN IT MELTS unfolds a gripping and harrowing story of guilt, trauma and revenge. Many years after a fateful summer that changed her childhood forever, Eva returns to her hometown. The heat of the summer contrasts with the cold that now permeates everything. In taking this courageous step, Eva confronts not only the past, but also the people who shaped her – and who caused her pain.
Veerle Baetens, known for her acting, shows a remarkable sensitivity for emotional depth and atmospheric density with her directorial debut. Based on the novel WHEN IT MELTS (NL.: HET SMELT) by Lize Spit, the film impressively brings the complex inner world of its protagonist to the screen.
The film's powerful impact is underscored by the international acclaim it has received: Rosa Marchant was honored with the Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Further honors, such as the audience award “Der Heinrich” at the Braunschweig International Film Festival and the award for best literary adaptation at the Litfilms Festival Münster, underscore the relevance and cinematic brilliance of this work.
A film that blurs the boundaries between past and present and captivates viewers with its haunting narrative. WHEN IT MELTS is not only an impressive literary adaptation, but also a profound psychological drama that has a lasting effect.