Phobies_poster_small-1444334819

When Nathan, who suffers from thanatophobia (or death anxiety), seeks the help of a psychiatrist, he has yet to face the worst of his fears...

Synopsis

Nathan suffers from thanatophobia or death anxiety. Hoping to get better, he starts seeing a renowned psychiatrist who’s an expert on phobias. While the doctor seems positive about his progress, Nathan feels quite the opposite. He meets a fellow phobic, Rachel, who also seems to benefit little from the treatment. As they grow closer, strange things start to happen, leading to climax centered around their worst fears.

Intentions

“Phobies” is a dark psychological thriller inspired by the work of Hitchcock and Kubrick. Our goal is to have the audience observe various phobias through the sufferer’s eyes and to vividly experience their vulnerability. Phobies will be an unsettling terrorizing trip on a narrative and visual level, contrasted with the budding relationship between Nathan and Rachel. The protagonists’ struggle with their phobias is meant to be a metaphor for our own fears, and that the best way to overcome them is to face them as opposed to avoiding them.

Locations

Our main location is a charming but mysterious building in Brussels (see photos), which will act as the psychiatrist's practice. We will also be shooting in a 60s-themed apartment.

Schermafbeelding_2015-10-08_om_22.11.52-1444335248

Cast

Anthony-1444336377

Anthony Tueni as Nathan

Marc-1444336413

Marc Schatten as the Psychiatrist

Emilie-1444336439

Emilie Maréchal as Rachel

nominee "best female newcomer"

at Les Magritte Du Cinema 2015 for Tokyo Anyway (2014)

Cecile-1444336496

Cécile Rittweger as the Secretary

"Ainsi soient-ils" (2015), ARTE

Brigitte-1444416277

Brigitte Louveaux as the Grandmother

Crew

Directors and producers: Anthony Tueni, Tom Mertens

Screenplay: Anthony Tueni

DP: Antoine Delforge (La Cabane à Films)

Sound: Nathan Unterberg

Poster design: Klaartje Baeten