“onder mijn schild”
Twelve-year-old Rosa goes camping with her estranged father in a secluded forest in Belgium after her parents' divorce. As they navigate their strained relationship amidst the towering trees, a small, unsettling incident forces them to confront their emotional distance. Will they find their way back to each other, or will the forest keep their secrets buried?
Underneath My Shell tells a delicate and personal story about the complex dynamic between parent and child in the aftermath of a painful divorce. The film centers on the relationship between twelve-year-old Rosa and her father as they try to navigate a new life without the presence of the mother. Through this intimate lens, the story reveals the emotional impact divorce can have on both children and parents, offering a layered exploration of care, sacrifice, and personal growth.
At the heart of the film lies a theme that many will recognize, the tendency of children to take on emotional responsibility for their parents, often at the cost of their own childhood. By shedding light on this dynamic, the film seeks to evoke recognition and empathy, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the silent burdens that children can carry.
In 2025, the film was selected for the Next Generation Competition at the Brussels Short Film Festival, where it had its premiere. We felt truly honored to see our film among so many talented voices and emerging filmmakers.
This film was a deeply personal project for me, but making it was an incredibly rewarding experience. I created the film as part of my bachelor’s degree at RITCS School of Arts. The journey began during the writing process, where I had the privilege of collaborating with two exceptionally talented and intuitive screenwriters, Flo Demeyer and Emiel Bachot. They worked with great dedication to find authenticity in every moment of the story.
We shot the film with a small but passionate crew in the Ardennes, all staying together in one house. It truly felt like we were living the story ourselves, almost as if we were camping alongside the characters. I filmed the project myself using a Sony FX6 with Vespid Prime lenses. Although the camera crew was small, the strength and determination of an incredible team of women made it more than enough.
From beginning to end, I worked closely with my producer, Noah Desmet, who meticulously organized every detail while fostering a vibrant and warm atmosphere on set. Noah was the driving force behind the production and the comforting presence that kept everything running smoothly. Equally essential was my first assistant director, Liam Van Pul, who also produced A5-ERA. His focus and energy kept the set moving seamlessly, and I couldn’t imagine a better person to have by my side.
The film truly came to life in post-production. My editor, Louis De Schrijver, brought a calm and thoughtful presence, giving every shot the attention it deserved and carefully crafting the final story. The sound design added a whole new dimension, allowing the forest to fully come alive. Casper Le Compte, who also did the final mix for A5-ERA, elevated the soundscape in Underneath My Shell to something truly immersive, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
Linn Vandeborne played the role of Rosa, and Tom Ternest took on the role of the father. Two spectacular actors to work with. We had a fairly long rehearsal process, which focused primarily on developing the bond between the two. Linn has a vivid imagination and doesn’t need much to bring genuine emotions to the surface in the moment. It was an incredible experience to see my personal story brought to life by these two amazing talents.
This film has been an incredible journey, shaped by a passionate and talented team, and I am so proud of what we have created together.
