Director's vision

If our film leads to even just one person being diagnosed safely and on time, the project will have succeeded. - Karel Duyck (director) -

 

If even one child or young person recognizes themselves in the story and dares to speak up, or if the theme becomes generally open for discussion, our project will have succeeded. - Judith Duyck (director) -

NO!SE started as something small. A music video for a friend who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis too late. What initially seemed destined to be a modest tribute soon grew into a short film and eventually into a feature film with a much broader reach.

We wanted to tell more than one story.

 

NO!SE is not just about an illness, but about its consequences for a family, and about how love and vulnerability find each other in the darkest moments. At the same time, we wanted to address a second, often silenced theme: sexual abuse. Isabella's struggle to look her past straight in the eye and demand justice reflects the courage required to break taboos.

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And then there is Marie-Hélène, the girl who wants to dance at all costs. The core of the film lies in her determination and dreams: despite trauma, illness, and loss, hope can remain the engine that propels people forward. In NO!SE, dance becomes a symbol of freedom, strength, and the future.

 

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With NO!SE, we didn't want to make an obvious film, but one that matters. If this story leads to even one person receiving a diagnosis sooner, or if a taboo is broken, then our goal has been achieved.

What makes this film extra special is how it came about: without a large budget, without a major studio, but with an incredibly motivated cast and crew who voluntarily put their shoulders to the wheel for this project. The fact that we were able to realize this in our own city of Kortrijk, with locations we all know and love, makes us even prouder.

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Karel Duyck - Director