Heysel 85

Directed by Teodora Ana Mihai

Belgium

2026

91 mins

Unclassified 15+

Violence erupts at a football final, leading to an escalating international crisis in this superbly tense drama based on the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster. Berlinale 2026.

Football fans descend on Brussels for the 1985 European Cup Final between Juventus and Liverpool. Inside the stadium, the mayor of Brussels and his daughter/press attaché Marie (Violet Braeckman) brace for kick-off. Meanwhile, Liverpool fans begin to turn on Juventus fans, resulting in catastrophic casualties. The increasingly drunken mayor is no help in handling the crisis, and Marie has no choice but to step up. Multilingual, she aids in negotiations between police, game officials and politicians as they tackle the impossibly difficult question: cancel the match and risk further riots or let them play on? Teodora Ana Mihai’s third feature is a gripping insider view of terrible real-life tragedy.

“Riveting at every turn”

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

“An accomplished piece of filmmaking … A film that explores the moral responsibilities and dilemmas resulting from an unimaginable crisis”

Wendy Ide, Screen International

“A harrowing film that boasts excellent performances, silky filmmaking, and a gripping real-life story that is often forgotten amongst football's biggest and saddest tragedies.”

Ben Rolph, Next Best Picture

“Riveting at every turn”

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

Tickets

Wed 3 June 2026, 6:30pm

Past Event

Palace Norton Street - Cinema 3

Palace Norton St - Cinema 3

Sat 13 June 2026, 7:15pm

Past Event

Ritz Cinemas Randwick - Cinema 3

Ritz Randwick - Cinema 3

See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Program Strand
Europe! Voices of Women+ In Film
Year
2026
Classification
Unclassified 15+
Country
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany
Language
In Dutch with English subtitles
Director
Teodora Ana Mihai
Producer
Hans Everaert
Cast
Violet Braeckman, Matteo Simoni, Josse De Pauw
Screenwriter
Lode Desmet, Isabelle Darras, Teodora Ana Mihai
Cinematographer
Marius Panduru
Editor
Bert Jacobs
Genre
Women Directors, History, Women’s Stories, Thriller & Crime, Sport
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Company Credits
Sales Agent: Salaud Morisset

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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