Zillion

Zillion," directed by Robin Pront, is a captivating film that vividly recreates the rise and fall of one of Belgium's most legendary nightclubs. Set in the vibrant 1990s, the movie centers around the infamous Zillion club, known for its extravagant parties, cutting-edge music, and its controversial owner, Frank Verstraeten.

Plot and Setting

The film's narrative is gripping, following Frank Verstraeten, portrayed with remarkable intensity by Matteo Simoni, as he transforms Zillion into the epicenter of European nightlife. The storyline deftly balances Frank's ambition and the excesses that come with it, presenting a raw, unfiltered look at the hedonistic lifestyle of the era. The club scenes are electrifying, filled with pulsating energy and a sense of euphoria that makes the audience feel as if they are part of the revelry.

Character Performances

Matteo Simoni delivers a standout performance, capturing both the charisma and the darker, more obsessive sides of Verstraeten. His portrayal is nuanced, making the character compelling and, at times, sympathetic despite his flaws. Supporting roles, including Charlotte Timmers as Vanessa, bring depth to the film, highlighting the personal and professional relationships that defined Verstraeten's turbulent journey.

Direction and Cinematography

Robin Pront's direction is masterful, skillfully blending high-octane party scenes with quieter, more introspective moments. The cinematography by Robrecht Heyvaert is stunning, using a vibrant color palette that reflects the club's neon-lit world. The camera work is dynamic, immersing the viewer in the frenetic pace of the nightlife while also capturing the emotional undercurrents of the characters' lives.

Music and Soundtrack

The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a mix of classic '90s techno and contemporary tracks that pay homage to the club's musical legacy. The music not only enhances the film's atmosphere but also serves as a driving force in the storytelling, reflecting the highs and lows of Zillion's existence.

Themes and Impact

"Zillion" explores themes of ambition, excess, and the fleeting nature of fame. It delves into the dichotomy of success and the personal cost that often accompanies it. The film also serves as a cultural time capsule, capturing the spirit of the '90s rave scene and its lasting impact on nightlife and music culture.

Conclusion

In "Zillion," Robin Pront has crafted a visually arresting and emotionally engaging film that chronicles the rise and fall of a nightlife empire. With standout performances, particularly from Matteo Simoni, and an evocative soundtrack, the movie is a nostalgic yet cautionary tale about the allure of power and the dangers of unchecked ambition. For those who remember the era or are fascinated by nightlife history, "Zillion" is a must-watch.

What a movie....because I'm old and lived through these years, it gets to my nostalgia. I did not really frequent the club, but did celebrate one New Year's eve there...and later on, my fraternity ('studentenclub' - more girls than boys haha, but didn't know how to put that in English) had quite some parties there (with women swimming in the tank - luckily we had 2 sisters doing synch swimming competively)). The overall feeling for the scenes inside the club are spot on....back then it was awesome...and the movie portraits that very well - moving stages, light shows, it was awesome.

Acting is perfect imho...of course I never met Frank so I cannot judge...I did encounter Dennis a few times...especially when he got refused from the club I worked back then.

All in all...great movie with great acting...but...do I find this movie great purely because I've been there and watched the glory Zillion was....or because it's a great movie? Bit of both I think....at least the score is AWESOME!!

Edit: Brigitta Callens (Charlotte in the movie) was not the girl to set up stuff like that...Brigitta used to frequent the club I worked in without having Frank spying on her....but then again, what does the floor ppl know what's really going on behind the scenes...

The Zillion movie is certainly not a bad movie, but there is just way to much thuggery and fiction in it. Form about 1:06:00 the movie became more unbelievable by the second. The problem with this is that nightlife has an image that is absolutely false. Of course things happened that were absolutely not right as for example the war of the bouncers, but this problem was not a problem of zillion only. If the real owner of Carré was the slighest bit as in the movie, Carre would not still be operational on the date this is written and closed down decades ago.

Of course the movie does have good positives as well. The scene of the opening of Zillion and the music did sent shivers down my spine and brought me back to a time that has past a very long time ago.

I personally think It's a true shame the movie didn't stick more to the facts as known of today. It would have made a far better bio-pic then it is now and is this not exactly what it claims to be?

In the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, where also yours truly hails from, "Zillion" is rapidly becoming much more than just a successful movie. It's a phenomenon! It's been several years since a locally produced film managed to bring so many people to the cinema, and - even more remarkably - so many people from different generations, as well! The film was already playing for almost a full month in cinemas when I went to see it, and the theater was still full. That's extremely exceptional for a Flemish movie.

It's the story of an infamous nightclub that really only existed between 1997 and 2002, so you'd expect it mainly attracts audiences who partied and experimented in this short period, but somehow, it's popular among much younger and much older people as well. And righteously so, I may add, because "Zillion" is a unique and original film full of fascinating characters, throwback 90s moments, awesome Belgian dance music, and recognizable faits-divers.

The best thing about writer/director Robin Pront's ambitious project is the intriguing mixture of facts and fiction. The decadent disco was real, the even more decadent protagonists (like the megalomaniac owner Frank Verstraeten and porn king Dennis Black Magic) were real, and the unimaginably decadent drug/sex parties at the Zillion were real as well. I know it, I was there a couple of times. The storylines connecting everything together, though, are a mix between truthful and made up, but you don't know what is real or not.

One thing's for sure, "Zillion" is the most memorable and entertaining Flemish movie in years. The pacing is non-stop fast, it's darkly comical, representative of everything that went wrong in this country during the 90s, and it has an awesome all-star cast plus an even more awesome soundtrack.

Second time watch and still as great as the first time ! Did i have fun ? Hell yeah ! Is it good ? It's great ! Overall a very wellmade Belgian movie based on a true story about the Zillion dancing (1997 - 2002) . Very entertaining ! Cast did such a great job ! Love the score too ! Really can't think of something i didn't like about this movie . This was an instant favorite the first time i watched it and now after a second watch it still is ! Definitely one of the best Belgian movies in a long time . Get some snacks or some pizza , something to drink and you will have a fun time ! I recommend it !