The Brand New Testament is a dark, absurd, and highly imaginative Belgian comedy directed by Jaco Van Dormael. The film offers a satirical twist on religion and the existence of God, bringing humor and heart to a deeply philosophical premise. It reimagines the relationship between the divine and humanity with eccentric storytelling, surreal imagery, and a lot of quirkiness.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: God Lives in Brussels
The movie opens with the revelation that God exists—and He lives in a dingy apartment in Brussels, where He runs the world from an old, grimy computer. God (played by Benoît Poelvoorde) is portrayed as a grumpy, abusive figure who delights in making life miserable for humans. He spends his days creating cruel laws of nature (like “toast will always fall on the buttered side”) and verbally abusing his wife and daughter.
Ea’s Rebellion
God’s daughter, Ea (played by Pili Groyne), is a 10-year-old girl who grows tired of her father’s tyranny. In a rebellious act, she breaks into God’s computer and sends a text message to every human with their exact date and time of death. This shakes the world to its core as everyone now knows when they will die.
Ea escapes the apartment and ventures into the real world, determined to write a “Brand New Testament.” She finds six apostles to help her create this new book, mirroring the structure of the Bible but with everyday people, each with their own unique stories and desires.
The Apostles’ Stories
Ea meets a range of quirky characters who become her new apostles, including:
- A man who has never loved and lives a lonely life.
- A woman who leaves her unsatisfying marriage after knowing how long she has left to live.
- A young boy who wishes to be a girl.
- A woman in love with a gorilla.
These stories form the heart of the film, blending the absurd with the poignant. Each apostle’s story is a reflection on mortality, purpose, and the randomness of life, all told with the film’s characteristic dark humor.
God in the Real World
While Ea is on her quest, God is trapped in the real world, where he experiences the misery he has long inflicted on humanity. He struggles with the mundane annoyances of life—buses, traffic, and people who no longer fear him because they know exactly when they’ll die.
Conclusion: A New Beginning
In the end, Ea’s Brand New Testament is completed. The movie concludes on a whimsical note, with God finally getting his comeuppance and the world becoming a more hopeful place under Ea’s new rules. The tone of the conclusion is lighthearted and hopeful, suggesting a better future for humanity.
Movie Ending
The ending sees Ea fulfilling her goal of rewriting the world, with her mother (Yolande Moreau) finally taking control of the universe and creating a more benevolent and colorful existence. The world becomes a more whimsical place, filled with random beauty, and the oppressive system God had built crumbles, leaving a sense of freedom and joy.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Brand New Testament does not have any post-credits scenes. The story wraps up without any additional footage or teasers for future developments after the credits roll.
Type of Movie
The Brand New Testament is a dark comedy with elements of fantasy and satire. It’s a quirky, surrealist exploration of religion, life, and human nature, using absurd humor and imaginative scenarios to tackle big philosophical questions.
Cast
- Benoît Poelvoorde as God
- Pili Groyne as Ea
- Catherine Deneuve as Martine (one of the apostles)
- François Damiens as François
- Yolande Moreau as God’s wife
- Laura Verlinden as Aurélie
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by An Pierlé, blending traditional religious tones with more whimsical and fantastical elements that reflect the film’s satirical and offbeat nature. The soundtrack complements the absurdity of the story, mixing classical music with moments of pure absurdity.
Filming Locations
The film was shot in Brussels, Belgium, which plays a significant role in the movie’s setting. The dreary, everyday surroundings of Brussels are a key visual element, symbolizing the mundane and bleak world God has created. The location adds to the film’s surreal and often oppressive atmosphere.
Awards and Nominations
The Brand New Testament received significant critical acclaim and was nominated for several prestigious awards, including:
- Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
- It was also Belgium’s official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
- César Award nominations, particularly for Best Actress (Catherine Deneuve).
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Jaco Van Dormael stated that the film was inspired by a desire to make something irreverent and joyful while discussing serious topics like religion and mortality.
- Benoît Poelvoorde, who played God, embraced the role fully, going method to portray the grouchy, cynical deity.
- The gorilla in the movie was played by a person in a suit, adding a touch of old-school charm to the special effects.
Inspirations and References
The film draws heavily on Christian theology, turning traditional Biblical stories on their head. Van Dormael also incorporates themes from philosophy, particularly existentialism, as the movie often grapples with questions about the meaning of life and death.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate endings were reported, and while some scenes were trimmed for pacing, there were no major deleted scenes that changed the film’s storyline.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is no direct book adaptation of The Brand New Testament, but the film’s irreverent take on religious stories can be seen as a playful counterpart to well-known theological texts. The original screenplay was written for the film.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Ea sending death dates to everyone via SMS, causing global chaos.
- Martine (Catherine Deneuve) starting a romantic relationship with a gorilla—one of the most absurd yet endearing moments.
- God facing a normal human life in Brussels and realizing how powerless he is without his divine powers.
Iconic Quotes
- Ea: “I am God’s daughter. It’s not as great as it sounds.”
- God: “I am the Lord! And I hate you all!”
- Martine: “He’s gentle. Much gentler than men.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The various laws of nature God creates, like the rule that toast will always land buttered-side down, are playful nods to everyday frustrations.
- Jesus’ statue briefly “comes to life” in the movie, showing subtle hints of rebellion against his father, God.
- The film’s depiction of God’s apartment is littered with religious references, like biblical imagery turned on its head for comic effect.
Trivia
- The movie was Belgium’s entry for the Oscars but did not make the shortlist.
- Catherine Deneuve’s character’s love affair with a gorilla was one of the most talked-about elements of the film.
- Director Jaco Van Dormael previously worked on visually imaginative films like Mr. Nobody (2009), which also dealt with existential themes.
Why Watch?
The Brand New Testament is a must-watch for fans of dark comedy, absurd humor, and philosophical storytelling. It’s a visually imaginative film that questions the nature of existence and offers a unique take on the relationship between humans and a dysfunctional deity.
Director’s Other Movies
- Mr. Nobody (2009)
- The Eighth Day (1996)
- Toto the Hero (1991)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Amélie (2001)
- Holy Motors (2012)
- The Lobster (2015)
- Being John Malkovich (1999)
