Heysel 85

A dense, minute-by-minute account of the tragic events of 29 May 1985 at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. From the very first moments, the atmosphere is tense; as spectators, we share the same awareness as those in charge that day. The warning signs were there from the beginning, and the elements needed to foresee and prevent the disaster were already in place.

I appreciated the film’s chosen perspective, the strong lead performance, and the distinctly European scope of the ensemble. Special mention goes to the cinematography and the decision to shoot on 16mm Kodak Vision3, which well blends with the archival footage and fully immerses us in 1985 without ever resembling a cheap television reenactment.

The film frames not only the institutional failure to prevent and adequately respond to the tragedy, but also attempts to examine how each character, major or minor, is caught between role morality and a higher moral imperative. In doing so, it shifts the focus from abstract responsibility to individual ethical conflict.

Last point, as an Italian living abroad, I was also moved by the portrayal of my compatriots and how they were perceived at the time, reflecting broader and recurring stereotypes applied to workers immigrant communities in Northern Europe.