Roland Verhavert

Roland Verhavert (1927-2014) was a critic, teacher and director. From 1953 on, he worked for the former public broadcaster BRT as a technician and presenter of the film programmes Première and Close Up. Over the years he also directed several television films and documentaries for the BRT. From 1962, he taught at the film college HRITCS. He also acted as director for several films. His iconic feature debut Seagulls Die in the Harbour [Meeuwen sterven in de haven(1955), starring Julien Schoenaerts and Dora Van der Groen, was directed together with Rik Kuypers and writer Ivo Michiels. The existentialist drama, set against the backdrop of Antwerp port, was the first Belgian film to be included in the official selection for the Cannes film festival.

The pessimistic howl of the megalopolis, which tracks the wanderings of a tormented man in the port city of Antwerp through strongly expressionistic imagery. He can only count on the understanding of an orphan and two disillusioned women.

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