BUCK MOON
Frank van den Bogaart
Belgium/The Netherlands
Seeking to reconnect with his childhood best friend, the progressive Noa returns to his hometown for the mythical and male-only Buck Moon festival.
SYNOPSIS
When the progressive Noa receives a disturbing voicemail from his childhood friend Sem, he returns to his hometown in an attempt to save their friendship. He finds Sem in an unrecognizable state at the Buck Moon festival, a folkloric celebration where only men are allowed, and a creature from an old village myth is driven away. When the ritual threatens to spiral out of control, Noa flees into the forest. As Sem chases after him, they uncover a new truth in the myth that could bring them closer together.
INTENTION
Buck Moon is a deeply personal project exploring the complexities of masculinity, intimacy, and selfacceptance. Inspired by my own friendships, the film delves into the themes of vulnerability and the societal pressures surrounding male relationships in a restrictive environment. The journey of our characters, Noa and Sem, highlights the tension between derailed cultural-traditional masculinity and the desire for deeper connections.
Set against a folkhorror backdrop, Buck Moon unfolds over the course of a single night, transitioning from an intense and violent ritual surrounded by flames to a bloody yet tender climax in a moonlit enchanted forest.
Collaboration is vital to my vision. I engage my talented crew early in the process, allowing their insights to shape the world. The actors will deliver natural, understated performances that shine in contrast with the larger-than-live supernatural events that occur. Buck Moon seeks to spark conversations about redefining manhood through an emotionally resonant narrative that invites reflection on the intricacies of friendship and love. This tender horror short aims to inspire empathy and understanding in its viewers.
DIRECTOR
Frank van den Bogaart
Frank van den Bogaart (1992) is a Dutch filmmaker based in Ghent. He graduated with a master’s degree in film at KASK in 2021. His graduation short Donkerster won prizes at festivals like Fantasia International Film Festival and Brooklyn Horror Film Festival. He is active as a director, writer, assistant director, and editor.
Maarten D’Hollander is a Belgian producer driving bold, author-driven cinema at Krater Films and Lemming Film Belgium, with a strong track record in international fiction and documentary.
maarten@kraterfilms.be
PRODUCER
Maarten D’Hollander
Genre
Folk-horror
Length
15 min
Language
Dutch
Shooting location
Belgium
Production company
Krater Films (Belgium)
Velvet Films (Belgium)
Estimated budget
€ 152.000
Secured funding
Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) - € 60.000, Belgian Tax Shelter - € 45.000, Sabam for Culture - € 2.000, Camalux Belgium - € 7.500, producer's own investment - € 5.000
Looking for
Coproducers, Post-Production, Sales, Distribution