Danny Willems' tribute to his dearest and loyal friend. “Nestled in between the harbour, the wild dunes and the hinterlands, Opex is a residential neighbourhood in the east of Ostend. The streets of Opex, also known as the lighthouse district, harbour the very roots of Arno’s identity - they are the place where his parents grew up and where his maternal grandparents ran a folksy, well-loved cafe. They named the cafe ‘Bij (chez) Lulu’, after their firstborn daughter, Arno’s mother. On a good day, you could spot Arno’s grandfather playing cards with his mates or catch his grandmother bursting into song. What used to be a vibrant working-class quarter connected to the harbour of Ostend has now evolved into a quiet neighbourhood. The many fisheries and noisy shipyards have disappeared. The rowdy quays and ship workhouses have made way for luxury apartment buildings and the fishing harbour will soon grow into a luxurious marina.” Danny Willems. Embrasse le passé, il n’existe plus.

Written and directed by:  Danny Willems
Camera: Danny Willems & Klaas De Buysse
Produced by: Danny Willems

Edit: Geert De Doncker
Grading: Nicolas Duval
Head of studio and supervisor: Wim De Rick
Title design & vfx: Annelies Vaes