Zillion

Zillion, directed by Robin Pront, is based on the real story of Belgian entrepreneur Frank Verstraeten, who founded Antwerp's famous Zillion nightclub; the real Zillion, converted from a former gym, opened on October 16, 1997, and operated until 2002, associated with claims of drug and weapons trafficking and money laundering, and Verstraeten was arrested on fraud charges in 2001. Director Pront has said he drew inspiration from Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street; his previous film, The Ardennes, premiered in TIFF's Discovery section in 2015. The film won four awards, including Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound, at the 13th Ensor Awards, Flanders' film awards. Who it's for: anyone curious about the rise and fall of a real Belgian nightclub empire, told with Scorsese-inflected energy, winner of four awards at its country's own film awards. Who it's not for: viewers looking for a fictional nightlife film with no basis in reality, since this is built on a real entrepreneur and a real venue.