Kristof Hoornaert
Directing
Biography
Kristof Hoornaert (1980, Belgium) is a writer-director who studied Audiovisual Arts in Ghent and Brussels. His first short film "Kaïn" got nominated for the Golden Bear at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival. He wrote, directed and produced his second short film "The Fall", a 17 minute no-budget short film that was shot in only 1 day. The film won several awards and screened at more than 40 film festivals worldwide. The film also screened several times on national television. His third short film "Empire" premiered in the world competition of the 39th Montreal World Film Festival and got selected for the 59th BFI London Film Festival. He also edited the short film "Nuclear Waste" by Ukrainian filmmaker Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy (The Tribe), which won the Silver Leopard at the 65th Locarno International Film Festival. His first feature film "Resurrection" premiered at the 44th Film Fest Gent. Furthermore the film got selected for the 21th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (First Features Competition) and the 47th International Film Festival Rotterdam (Bright Future). The film won several awards worldwide. He directed the reconstruction scenes for the television series "Onder De Radar", about a few of the most striking cases in the history of the Special Units (DSU). He also directed/co-wrote the 4 final episodes of the 3rd season of the popular television series "Onder Vuur" about the survival and dilemma's of a group of firefighters. Hoornaert believes in the power of cinematographic language to express emotions and the story that needs to be told.
Known For
At East Bank Station, a close-knit team of firefighters must balance a dangerous, high-stress job, personal challenges and professional setbacks.
Under Fire
An exclusive insight into the work and recruitment of the special units of the Belgian Federal Police. Through testimonies and reconstructions, 'Under the Radar' also takes a closer look at a number of striking operations from the past.
Under the Radar
Kain reflects in a contemplative way on our human condition. It's an audiovisual meditation on the cruelty and suffering of our tragic humanity. A short film about guilt and the birth of conscience. - Berlinale Short Competition 2009
Kaïn
A couple is on vacation with their car. They drive past green hills and small roads. Suddenly the man realises he lost his way. They drive into a forest. How thin is the layer veneer of civilisation?
The Fall
An old man who isolated himself from civilization receives an unexpected visitor.
Resurrection
Late afternoon, somewhere in a big city, a man comes home to his wife and child - a portrait of a family in our modern civilization, captured in real time.
Empire
Sergey and Sveta live in Chornobyl. He is a truck driver at a radioactive waste plant while she works at a radioactive decontamination station. Their work and life are dictated by one unchangeable rhythm.