Cadet (2013)
A Belgian short film about a young athlete caught between his own integrity and the doping scheme orchestrated by his father and coach.
Cadet - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Kevin Meul
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 15m
- Original Language: Dutch
- Spoken Languages: Dutch
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 30, 2013 (Belgium)
- Production Companies: Simply
- Production Countries: Belgium
Cadet - Plot
A pitch-black tragicomedy of Steve, a 13 year-old athlete who is secretly being doped by his father and coach Patrick to enhance his performance on the track. Steve is faced with the hard choice between his self-esteem and his father's wishes.
Cadet - Trailer
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Where to Watch Cadet
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Cadet - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kevin Meul
Main Cast
- Robbie Cleiren
- Jurgen De Kerf
- Felix Meyer
- Aaron Roggeman
Writers
- Kevin Meul
Cadet - FAQs
What is Cadet (2013) about?
Cadet follows Steve, a 13-year-old Belgian track athlete who is secretly being doped by his father and coach Patrick to boost his performance. Caught between his own self-worth and his father's ambitions, Steve faces a painful choice that cuts to the heart of youth, pressure, and betrayal in competitive sport.
Does Cadet have a happy ending?
Cadet is described as a pitch-black tragicomedy, so don't expect a feel-good resolution. The film leans into the moral weight of its premise, leaving viewers with a deeply uncomfortable but thought-provoking conclusion about the cost of ambition and the exploitation of young athletes.
Who directed the short film Cadet?
Cadet was directed by Kevin Meul, who also wrote the screenplay. It's a Belgian short film produced by Simply, with cinematography by Ruben Impens, whose striking visual work has since earned international recognition on larger productions.
How long is the short film Cadet?
Cadet runs just 15 minutes, making it a compact but emotionally intense short film. Despite its brief runtime, it tackles weighty themes — doping, parental pressure, and a young athlete's loss of innocence — with real dramatic punch.
Who are the main actors in Cadet?
The cast features Robbie Cleiren, Jurgen De Kerf, Felix Meyer, and Aaron Roggeman. Their performances anchor this short Belgian drama, bringing authenticity to a story about youth sport, manipulation, and the fraught relationship between a young athlete and the adults around him.
Where can you watch Cadet online?
Cadet is a Belgian short film with limited mainstream streaming availability. Your best bet is to check JustWatch for current viewing options in your region, or look for it through film festival platforms and short film archives where Belgian cinema is often featured.
What themes does Cadet explore?
At its core, Cadet explores the exploitation of young athletes, the toxic side of parental ambition, and the erosion of a child's autonomy. It uses doping in youth sport as a lens to examine how adults can betray the trust of children in pursuit of performance and glory.
What are some films similar to Cadet?
If Cadet resonates with you, try Hardball (2001), Hungry Hearts (2015), or Hands of Stone (2016) — all films that explore pressure, ambition, and complicated relationships in sports or family contexts. Fast Girls (2012) and Blue Chips (1994) also touch on the darker side of athletic competition.
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