13/16
But Julie decides to keep quiet
Narrative
Julie is a star player at an elite tennis academy. When her coach is investigated and suddenly suspended, all the players at the club are encouraged to speak out. Belgium’s official submission for “Best International Feature Film” at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025. with her coach, who has been suddenly placed on inactive status following the previous.
The prodigy’s tragic suicide
The opening scene sets the tone beautifully, with Julie practicing against an invisible opponent and no ball – an early metaphor for the invisible internal battle she is waging. This visual motif suggests her isolation and inner turmoil, drawing the viewer in with an eerie stillness. As soon as she receives a call informing her that her coach will not be present, you sense that something is wrong, and this feeling persists throughout the film. One of the film’s greatest strengths is its respect for the audience’s intelligence.
The film skillfully keeps its audience in suspense
This gives us time and silence to process what may have happened and fill in the blanks ourselves, rather than spoon-feeding us every detail from A to Z. This approach builds tension, which remains unhinged throughout most of the film, in stark contrast to the scenes in which Julie contacts her former coach. Her cell phone becomes a kind of Trojan horse, introducing terror into even her safest spaces, like her own bedroom. Although her parents create a safe environment and don’t pressure her to open up, every time her phone is visible, it sends a knot in the viewer’s stomach.
A beautiful arc unfolds as the distance between Julie and her former coach grows
It doesn’t immediately reveal the details of what happened between Julie and her coach, but the weight of the mystery is felt in every scene. Julia’s refusal to talk about what happened, despite clear signs of trauma, speaks volumes, and the film handles this silence with tension and sensitivity. We see her smile more and it’s truly moving to witness her gradual emotional recovery. It’s especially impressive how the lead actress, so young, conveys Julie’s inner struggle without having to explain it.
The nuances of her performance make her journey feel authentic
As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Julie Keeps Quiet is less about what happened to her in the past and more about Julie slowly rediscovering herself after a trauma. This shift in focus is subtle and powerful, allowing the film to convey a deeper message about resilience and self-healing.