22nd of May (2010)
A Belgian drama-thriller in which one man's act of courage after a mall bombing sends him spiraling into a haunting, surreal reckoning with guilt and human fragility.
22nd of May - Movie Information
- Original Title: 22 Mei
- Release Year: 2010
- Directed by: Koen Mortier
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: Dutch
- Spoken Languages: Dutch, French, German
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 17, 2010 (Belgium - 16), August 18, 2011 (Germany), December 7, 2011 (France)
- Alternative Titles: 22 Maja (PL), 22nd Of May (US), Soudain le 22 Mai (FR), 22. Mai (DE), 22 мая (RU)
- Production Companies: IJswater Films BV, Revolver Films, Ryva, CCCP, CZAR Belgium, The Post Republic
- Production Countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany
22nd of May - Plot
Sam wakes up, gets ready and goes to do his daily job. And then the unexpected happens. A bomb explodes in the center of the shopping mall where he works. He drags himself towards the entrance to save the victims. One by one he pulls them out, until something terrible takes place. In complete hysteria he runs off till he falls down from exhaustion. A woman's voice makes him raise his head. She's one of the victims he saved. She wants to know why the suicide bomber did it. This encounter projects him back in history and even in a surreal world. Thereafter he runs into everyone he saved and feels that their defeat shows many parallels with his own. Even his confrontation with the wrongdoer isn't that straightforward as he thought it would be and confronts him with the fact that guilt and innocence can be pretty much alike.
22nd of May - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this unsettling Belgian thriller:
How your life can change in the blink of an eye.
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22nd of May - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Koen Mortier
Main Cast
- Sam Louwyck
- Titus De Voogdt
- Jan Hammenecker
- François Beukelaers
- Norman Baert
- Wim Willaert
- Gunter Lamoot
- Barbara Callewaert
- Steffi Peeters
- Bernadette Damman
Writers
- Koen Mortier
Producers
- Koen Mortier
- Eurydice Gysel
22nd of May - FAQs
What is 22nd of May about?
22nd of May follows Sam, a shopping mall worker who survives a suicide bombing and rescues several victims. Haunted by the event, he is drawn into a surreal, introspective journey where he encounters each survivor and confronts unsettling parallels between their struggles and his own, blurring the line between guilt and innocence.
Is 22nd of May based on a true story?
22nd of May is not based on a specific true story. Director Koen Mortier crafted an original screenplay exploring themes of trauma, guilt, and moral ambiguity through a fictional bombing event. The film draws on universal human experiences rather than any documented real-world incident.
Where can you stream 22nd of May?
22nd of May is available to stream for free on JustWatch TV and Plex Channel. You can compare all current viewing options and regional availability by visiting the film's JustWatch page, which lists every platform offering the movie in your area.
What does the ending of 22nd of May mean?
The ending of 22nd of May resists easy resolution. Sam's confrontation with the bomber reveals that guilt and innocence are not opposites but deeply intertwined. The film suggests that trauma forces a reckoning with one's own moral complexity, leaving Sam — and the viewer — without the comfort of clear-cut answers.
Who directed 22nd of May?
22nd of May was written and directed by Belgian filmmaker Koen Mortier, who also served as a producer on the project. Mortier is known for his bold, visceral approach to storytelling, and this film represents his second feature-length work following his debut Ex Drummer (2007).
Who are the main actors in 22nd of May?
The film stars Sam Louwyck in the lead role of Sam, supported by Titus De Voogdt, Jan Hammenecker, François Beukelaers, Norman Baert, Wim Willaert, Gunter Lamoot, Barbara Callewaert, Steffi Peeters, and Bernadette Damman as the Homeless Woman.
What genre is 22nd of May?
22nd of May blends Fantasy, Drama, and Thriller elements. The film begins as a grounded, intense survival story before shifting into surreal, dreamlike territory, using fantasy sequences to explore its protagonist's psychological and moral unraveling in the aftermath of a traumatic bombing.
How long is 22nd of May?
22nd of May has a runtime of 89 minutes, making it a compact and tightly constructed film. Despite its relatively short length, the movie covers significant emotional and thematic ground, moving between realist drama, psychological tension, and surreal fantasy sequences.
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