Ann Sirot, Raphaël Balboni

Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni form a singular voice in contemporary Belgian cinema, a filmmaking duo whose collaborative vision is rooted in a shared fascination with the absurdities and fragile architectures of human connection. Drawing from their backgrounds in theater and visual arts, they craft narratives that inhabit the delicate space between tragedy and farce. Their lens favors a surgical yet empathetic precision, dissecting the ways in which social rituals and unspoken conventions often govern the most intimate corners of our lives. Their debut feature, Madly in Life, served as a definitive introduction to their idiosyncratic style, earning them the Magritte Award for Best Film and widespread acclaim for its poignant exploration of neurodegenerative illness through a lens of whimsical resistance. They continued to refine this signature blend of deadpan humor and profound vulnerability with The (Ex)perience, cementing their reputation as masters of the modern existential dramedy. Frequently celebrated on the festival circuit, including prominent showcases at Cannes and beyond, Sirot and Balboni remain essential chroniclers of the human condition, perpetually finding beauty in the beautifully broken.