After ‘Black’, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are shooting again …

Adil El Arbi was fifteen when he wrote a letter to Dirk Bracke. There he confides in the writer his cinematographic dreams. And he wrote that he hoped Soon it won’t hurt anymore never be able to film. This book was released in 2001 and was a hit with critics and the public. For El Arbi, it was one of the most poignant books he acquired as a teenager.

The book revolves around three young people who clash with people in their environment: a Brazilian street boy, a Flemish girl who has been sexually abused by her father and a Moroccan girl who does not want to wear a headscarf and hide clothes. ‘Soon it won’t hurt anymore is my favorite of the over 40 books I’ve written, ”says Dirk Bracke himself. “That this is in the good hands of these two talented gentlemen is an understatement.

Bracke always kept El Arbi’s letter. ‘He was so charming as a young boy and I responded to him during this time. Of course I had no idea at the time that it was just this boy ten years later with his mate Bilall my book Black would film so intelligently then take over the world.

A lucky charm

El Arbi and Fallah are also ready for a new adventure, although it is not just yet. Recordings are only scheduled for 2022. First of all, the screenplay, written by El Arbi himself and Bulle Decarpentries, must be complete. ‘Black launched our career in the United States with, among others Bad boys for life. Our collaboration with Dirk has been a real lucky charm. But this is not a coincidence either. Dirk’s stories are universal and emotionally powerful. With his books as directors, he always offers us a cinematographic universe. With Bad boys for life they made the most successful Hollywood film of the year.

The film will be produced by 10.80 Films (Blind spot) in co-production with A Team Productions (Patser, Torpedo), Los Morros and Les Films du Fleuve by the Dardenne brothers.