Hakketuf

When Mikke’s mother gives birth to a fourth child who appears to be half cow half human, his world and that of his two brothers is turned upside down.

  • Laurens van Herk
    Director
  • Laurens van Herk
    Writer
  • Ans Van Gasse
    Writer
  • Max Blomaard
    Producer
  • Felix Maesschalck
    Key Cast
    "Mikke"
    Tot Altijd, De Ronde, Labyrinthus, Splinter, De Raad van Soeki
  • Gitan Eeckhout
    Key Cast
    "Siem"
    Splinter
  • Tim Truyens
    Key Cast
    "Pauwel"
    F*** You Very, Very Much, Loezers
  • Rover De Hauwere
    Key Cast
    "Benji"
    Het Verhaal Van Vlaanderen, Myth
  • Marc Lauwrys
    Key Cast
    "Jos"
    Code 37, Glad IJs, Skin
  • Anne Somers
    Key Cast
    "Rita"
    Familie
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 4, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Belgium
  • Country of Filming:
    Belgium
  • Language:
    Dutch
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1,44:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - RITCS
Director Biography - Laurens van Herk

Laurens van Herk (1996) graduated with a master's degree in Film at RITCS School of Arts in Brussels. Previously he graduated in Journalism.

During his last year he made a short film called Hakketuf. Two years before he was selected in the Make It Short Competition at JEF Festival in Antwerp where he made a short film called La Grande Descente together with Max Blomaard.

Besides directing, he also produced several student short films like Rocky Meets Lucy and A Place Of Our Own.

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Director Statement

Hakketuf tells the story of a brotherhood that got disrupted due to unexpected events. Within this so called peasant culture where it's hard to speak out about emotions, Mikke and his family are having a hard time dealing with this new way of life. For the first time in their lives they must find a solution to bring back the old memories.

For Hakketuf I deliberately chose for a comedic way of telling this tragic story. I believe that the switch between a laugh and a tear is most memorable for a viewer and I really want the viewer to bring this story home after watching it.

This story has been rattling in my head for a long time and I knew quite early on that I wanted to create my own world on screen based on my own joyful but sometimes harsh youth in rural areas. Together with a self-chosen way of talking resulting in a creative dialogue this film comes to life for me. Before Hakketuf I made some experimental shorts in school regarding these specific aspects just to see how I can improve this during the production of Hakketuf.

Even though this film brings out a magic touch as well -giving the nature of having a half cow half human represented- I think Hakketuf is not dreamy or experimental but fairly a straightforward movie that's entertaining for all audiences.