Spilliaert
In Spilliaert, filmmaker Lisa Spilliaert inquires into her blood relationship with
the renowned Belgian artist Léon Spilliaert (1881-1946). Is she predestined to an artist’s
life by this – whether or not – fictitious kinship? Is artistry passed on genetically?
She reveals herself as a rapping, fanatical genealogist who probes into the origins of
her artistic identity. Visiting all kinds of archives, she first chalks out the historical
figure of Léon Spilliaert and his work. At Ostend’s Centre for Genealogy she attempts
to substantiate her claim of kinship with certificates and registers. Spilliaert’s narrative
structure is strung together by a number of rap poems, performed by Lisa Spilliaert
herself. By choosing this form, she uncovers parallels and contrasts between rap
music’s free identity construction and the strictly regulated structure of genealogy.
Lisa Spilliaert
Technical sheet
Genre : Musical experimental documentary
Runtime (min) : 40’
Production countries : Belgium
Production company : Escautville
Producers : Vincent Stroep, Ulrike Lindmayr
Project status : production
Estimated budget : 110 060 €
Acquired budget : 96 060 €
Shooting countries : Belgium
Casting :
Flemish rapper NAG Toekomst and Wim De Busser, leader of Belgian rock band King Dick.
Production company’s filmography :
– N.P / Lisa Spilliaert / 2020 / 59’
- Blessed Amulets / Ria Pacquée / 2019 / 17’
– I Watched the White Dogs of the
Dawn / Els Dietvorst / 2018 / 52’
– Outpost / Wim Catrysse /2018/ 34’
– 50.000 SCANS / Benjamin Verhoeven / 2018 /
22’
– Growth Record #3 / Lisa Spilliaert / 2016 / 11’
– Serial Drummer Girls / Koen Theys / 2016 / 32’
– As Long As I See Birds Flying I Know I Am Alive /
Ria Pacquée / 2015 / 17’
– A day in the Life of the Holy Blood / Koen Theys
Réalisatrice

Filmography
- N.P / 2020 / 59’
- Growth Record / 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, ongoing / 34’
- Hotel Red Shoes / 2013 / 15’