Young Marie-Hélène dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Her father, Marco, supports her unconditionally, but her mother, Isabella—a passionate lawyer—views her ambitions with dismay. Behind her resistance lies a deep-seated trauma that drives her to protect her daughter at all costs. When Marco becomes seriously ill, the family comes under intense pressure. Marie-Hélène is faced with heart-wrenching choices and must figure out how far she is willing to go to make her dream come true without losing the people she loves.

The film will be introduced and followed by a discussion with the director and actor(s).

RU!S is a moving family drama, based on a true story, about dreams, loss, and the complex relationships between parents and children. At its heart is the clash between a young woman’s ambitions and the fears of a mother who, drawing on her own past, tries to protect her. When the family is confronted with a serious illness, underlying tensions and unresolved emotions come to the surface.

The way the film came to be is also remarkable. What began as a small-scale passion project by director Karel Duyck grew—without significant financial resources and thanks to the dedication of family and friends—into a full-fledged feature film. That independent production history reflects the message of the story itself: even when the odds are stacked against you, conviction, cooperation, and perseverance can make all the difference.

A personal and hopeful family drama about the courage to choose your own path, the power of connection, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.