Adil and Bilall present new fiction series at Film Fest ... (Ghent)

–

Adil El Arbi (left), Bilall Fallah (right) and Mathieu Mortelmans, who directed the remaining episodes. — © David Van Hecke

–

Gent –

“An absurd mix of Bevergem and Patser.” That is what we should expect from ‘Ground’ according to Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. The duo directed the first two episodes and presented the series on Thursday at Film Fest Gent.

–

Max Dedulle

Yesterday at 21:35—

For Adil and Bilall, then just back from their ‘Bad Boys for Life’ adventure in Hollywood, ‘Ground’ was much more than a snack in Belgium. “This series has it all,” says Adil. “Emotion, drama, humor. Truly a series to fall in love with.”

In ‘Ground’, the young Smile sees a gap in the market: importing holy earth from Morocco so that Belgian Muslims can be buried here. “That ground is actually a symbol for migration,” says Zouzou Ben Chikha, who conceived the series and wrote the screenplay together with his Bevergem companions Dries Heyneman and Wannes Cappelle. “A Moroccan who has lived here for twenty years, does he have a different view of his homeland than someone of the third or fourth generation? These are the questions we ask and which are becoming increasingly topical.” (read more below the photo)

Actor Yassine Ouaich with his father, who had come over from Morocco especially. — © David Van Hecke

–

‘Next level’

Appropriate: the father of protagonist Yassine Ouaich had traveled from Morocco especially to witness the premiere. “Finally I’m making my family proud,” the actor laughs. “But seriously, we have created something beautiful. ‘Ground’ is real next level and I am very grateful that I was allowed to participate in it.”

A TV premiere at a film festival: it’s something we see more and more. “The series is therefore made for a big screen,” says actress Charlotte De Bruyne. “A real whirlwind, that’s how you can describe it. Just like working with Adil and Bilall is. (laughs)”

You can see ‘Ground’ from October 26 on Play4 and then on Streamz.You can read an extensive interview with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah in our NU attachment on Saturday.