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JULIAN

JULIAN

CATO KUSTERS | BELGIUM + NETHERLANDS | 2025 | 91 MIN | DUTCH, FRENCH + ENGLISH EST

CATO KUSTERS | BELGIUM + NETHERLANDS | 2025 | 91 MIN | DUTCH, FRENCH + ENGLISH EST

FeatureCOMPETITION

Synopsis

Based on Fleur Pierets’ memoir of the same name, Julian tells the heart-wrenching love story between the author Fleur and Julian Demoor and Project 22—their international LGBTQ+ marriage campaign of 2017 that was brought to an abrupt halt by tragic circumstances. In 2017, it was legal for same-sex couples to get married in twenty-two countries worldwide, hence the birth of the performance art piece: Project 22. Fleur Pierets, a Belgian journalist and LGBTQ+ activist, came up with the idea to travel around the world and marry Julian—her partner in life as well as business (as co-founders of Et Alors? Magazine)—and not only once, but in every country where it was possible. The goal? To raise awareness on how few places same-sex couples could legally marry. Director Cato Kusters provides a fictionalized account spanning the campaign, from the years 2017–2019, with home-movie-esque film segments that provide an immersive peek into this courageous couple’s experience, both behind the scenes, on the road, and after the fact—moments of joy and silliness, as well as the intimacy, doubt, uncertainty of fighting for one’s rights while also fighting for one’s life.

Trailer

Filmmaker Bio

Cato Kusters (b. 1998) is a Belgian filmmaker, screenwriter, and editor. She graduated from RITCS School of Arts, earning a master's degree in directing and a bachelor's in editing. Her short film Finn’s Heel (2022) won the Jury Prize at Film Fest Gent and the Audience Award at the Festival de Films de Femmes. Julian (2025), her feature debut, is an adaptation of Fleur Pierets' memoir. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and opened the 52nd Film Fest Gent. Kusters is noted for her intimate storytelling and exploration of LGBTQ+ themes.

Producer

Michiel Dhont

Writer

Cato Kusters, Angelo Tijssens

Cinematographer

Michel Rosendaal

Cast

  • Nina Meurisse
  • Laurence Roothooft
  • Jennifer Heylen
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