Jean 2026

Directed by Jolke Van Aerde

Over the course of eight years, the film draws an intimate portrait of Jean Ciesielski, a teenager growing up in Antwerp. Moving through a succession of schools and educational tracks, Jean searches for a place within a system that has defined him from a young age. At twelve years old, he speaks about his situation with a striking maturity and clarity. As he gets older, Jean feels an increasing urgency for change. Unable to obtain a regular secondary school diploma within his current track, he decides to change schools once more. His journey reveals how strongly the language and expectations of education have shaped the way he sees himself and his place in society.