Here

The framing and opening shots of a verdant Brussels with the towering concrete and glass that are taking over the city, is quite touching. And fully in keeping with this gentle story of two people for whom Brussels is not their home city, just their home.

Stefan (Stefan Gota) a Romanian working on one of these sites and preparing for his annual holiday with a return to Romania. Life isn’t that complicated; he has his routines, friends and sister to confide him. Though out of the blue he receives a call from an old friend who is in jail and would like to see him.

Shuxiu (Liyo Gong) is a botanist studying mosses at the university as well as lecturing. She also helps her mother with the Chinese food takeaway that she owns. It’s a settled life of work, study and though on the evidence fewer social interactions.

A downpour while Stefan is waiting for his food in the takeaway lets them acquainted, a chance encounter in a forest near Brussels while Shuxiu is studying a moss, builds on that.

And that, is basically that. Writer and director Bas Devos doesn’t overwhelm here just lets the story play out. That’s not to say there’s no depth as there are metaphors of clearing fridges, making soup which is distributed among friends, and germinating plants.

It’s a gentle story about two people getting to know each other, through conversation and a genuine interest in each other and their lives. A bit like Perfect Days, they are unassuming yet draw the viewer in to reveal more complex characters.

In particular Stefan who is a bit unsure about Brussels and the act of him clearing his fridge before he leaves suggests he’s considering options. It isn’t so much the case with Shuxiu who appears content with her solitary study, academic work, and spending time with her mother, though welcomes the interest that Stefan shows in her passion for mosses.

There’s a palpable dynamic when Stefan and Shuxiu first meet which is built on by sublime natural performances from Gota and Gong and sensitive direction from Devos.

On a technical level the film is shot in the academy ratio so the focus isn’t diverted and some of the colours and frame compositions are exquisite. Devos leaves plenty of space for the actors with sparce dialogue and lingering images that at times suggest still-life photography.

The one problem I encountered was the subtitling which at times was difficult to read. Even with relatively little dialogue it could hamper viewers who aren’t conversant in French, Romanian and Mandarin. But

Here will be in UK cinemas on 7 June 2024.