Jean

Jean

Over the course of eight years, the film draws an intimate portrait of Jean Ciesielski, a teenager growing up in Antwerp. Moving through a succession of schools and educational tracks, Jean searches for a place within a system that has defined him from a young age. At twelve years old, he speaks about his situation with a striking maturity and clarity. As he gets older, Jean feels an increasing urgency for change. Unable to obtain a regular secondary school diploma within his current track, he decides to change schools once more. His journey reveals how strongly the language and expectations of education have shaped the way he sees himself and his place in society. (Avila)

EN

“I just want to get away from that school as fast as possible, pupil Jean tells Belgian director Jolke Van Aerde, do you understand, ma’am? Her poignant and sincerely observed feature film debut follows the teenager from Antwerp over several school years during his arduous search for a future, shaped from an early age by an imposing (education) system. Intuitively and thoughtfully crafted, Jean is, on both sides of the camera, refreshingly honest. A coming-of-age documentary about a determined adolescent fighting for his chances. But is it a fair fight?”

Film Fest Gent 2026

screening
Kinepolis, Ghent
In the presence of Jolke Van Aerde & Jean Ciesielski