Oosteroever

Rather than a short documentary portrait of Marnix Verleene, a fisherman in Ostend, Oosteroever is a fragmented sea chart of the world according to this one man, Marnix. The film takes place both ashore and at sea, and sketches the Ostend fishing district through a glance at Marnix’ life. The East Shore is the neighbourhood in which fishermen dwell: they weave nets, play cards and kill time. Now, this district is being demolished: high, white residential blocks are rising up instead. Oosteroever reflects this fragmented composition in its form: ashore, Marnix’ life is enacted by him and his fellows; at sea we look more indirectly, through shadows, silhouettes and reflections, at how life goes on.