Netflix has announced in a press release that production has commenced on a new Belgian drama series entitled Soil. The eight-episode project, based on a script penned by Zouzou Ben Chikha, Dries Heyneman and Wannes Capelle, is set to be directed by writer-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Black [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Adil El Arbi e Bilall Fallah
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The plot of Soil revolves around a question that may easily arise in a Muslim family when one of its members dies in Belgium: “Do we bury them here, or do we honour their last wishes and take them back to where they were born?” Young Ishmael “Smile” Boulasmoum, who, together with his sister, inherits his father’s repatriation business, comes up with a solution: what if they bring soil from Morocco to bury their dead in it? And so they start a business in soil, and without realising it, they open Pandora’s “coffin”.

The main cast includes actors Yassine Ouaich, Charlotte De Bruyne, Barbara Sarafian, Tom Vermeir, Reinhilde Decleir, Saïd Boumazoughe, Mourade Zeguendi, Ahlaam Teghadouini, Dries Heyneman, Ward Kerremans, Emilie De Roo and Wannes Cappelle. 

Helmers El Arbi and Fallah are very enthusiastic about the project and commented: “Soil tells a story that is very recognisable to us as Muslims and Moroccans, but at the same time, it has a universal character because of the subject of family and bereavement. We are beyond excited to be directing here in Belgium again after our adventure in Hollywood. We have an amazing cast and a superb script, and we can’t wait to finally start on Soil. We look forward to being back on set in the city where it all started: Brussels.” Meanwhile, producers Jan De Clercq and Marike Muselaers from Lumière elaborated on their partnership with the Los Gatos-based streaming giant: “Lumière and Netflix have been partners from the moment Netflix first launched in the Benelux. After successfully working together on the distribution side, we are very happy to be strengthening this partnership with our very first co-production. Although rooted in Belgium, Soil is a universal story about family and belonging, and with Netflix as our partner, we are excited to bring it to a truly global audience.”

Soil is being produced by Gent-based outfit Lumière after being commissioned by VIER (SBS), and is being made in collaboration with Netflix and Telenet. The show also received support from the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme, the Flanders Audiovisual Fund/Mediafund, screen.brussels and the Belgian Tax Shelter.

The series will premiere in Belgium on VIER and will be available on Netflix worldwide, six months after the air date of the last episode (except for in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, where the platform will be following the lead of local broadcasters). It will also be available on Telenet in Belgium at a later stage.