“Patsers” is the next feature film for the dymamic directorial duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, a.k.a. Adil & Bilall. It will be their seventh film and it’s the sequel to “Patsers” (2018, a.k.a. “Gangsta”), a Belgian crime drama that explored the gritty underbelly of Antwerp, Belgium. The film was a social commentary on the allure of the gangster lifestyle, the harsh realities that accompany it, and it portrayed the characters’ struggle with identity, belonging, and their desperate pursuit of a better life. Adil & Bilall used vibrant colors and fast-paced editing to create a visually stimulating experience that reflected the chaotic world of the four central characters Adamo, Badia, Junes and Volt.

On July 22, “Patsers” will begin shooting in Antwerp, marking the beginning of a nine-week shooting schedule. The film is scripted by Adil El Arbi, Ruben Vermeersch, Sven Huybrechts, and Bram Renders. According to Mr. El Ardi, the film will be darker and more serious than its predecessor yet faithful to the humor and DNA of “Patser.”

In the upcoming “Patsers,” the character of Adamo, played by actor Matteo Simoni, is even more involved in the cocaine trade than before at a time when it is becoming an increasing plague in the city of Antwerp. His childhood friends got their lives on the right track and avoid all contact with him. Jana, the new chief of the KALI drug unit, is onto him, and a combination of self-confidence and personal problems seem to predict the end of Adamo’s success formula. When someone close to them dies as a result of another attack, they get back together with only one goal in mind: vengeance.

Filmmakers Adil El Arbi (b. 1988) and Bilall Fallah (b. 1986) are known for their engaging and dynamic visual style, earning them worldwide acclaim. Both born to Moroccan immigrant parents in Belgium, they developed a passion for storytelling and cinema at a young age, which led them to study film at Sint-Lukas in Brussels (LUCA School of Arts); their cultural background and experiences, and growing up in Belgium, have profoundly influenced their work, which enabled them to bring unique perspectives to their films.

They first gained attention with their short film “Broeders” (2011), which showcased their distinctive visual style and knack for storytelling. Their second feature, “Black” (2015), based on the 2006 novel by Dirk Bracke, was their breakthrough film; it showed a gritty and raw portrayal of gang life in Brussels and told the story of a forbidden love affair between a girl from a black gang and a boy from a Moroccan gang. The film was praised for its unflinching depiction of urban violence and its empathetic portrayal of its characters, winning the Discovery Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This film firmly established Adil & Bilall as filmmakers to watch internationally.

In addition to their feature film work, they also directed two episodes of the critically acclaimed American television series “Snowfall” (2017), which delves into the early days of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. Their work on “Snowfall” demonstrated their ability to handle complex narratives and character-driven stories within a more restricted television format.

“Black” (2015, trailer)

After the success of “Black,” they directed “Patser” (2018), released abroad as “Gangsta,” a crime caper set in the drug underworld of Antwerp. Because of its stylistic flourishes and kinetic energy, “Patser” further cemented their reputation for crafting compelling and visually arresting stories.

With “Black,” Adil & Bilall caught the attention of Hollywood, and “Patser” further paved the way for their Hollywood career which has been going strong from day one. Their directorial debut film in the U.S. was the third entry of the popular “Bad Boys” hit franchise, “Bad Boys for Life” (2020), starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The film was a blockbuster and the most successful film of 2020 at the U.S. box office, grossing over $206 million in the U.S. and $426 million worldwide. The film received positive reviews for its blend of action, humor, and heart; ‘It is the best of the three films,’ Odie Henderson wrote on Roger Ebert’s film review website. Adil & Bilall’s ability to inject fresh energy into a long-standing franchise showcased their versatility and appeal to a broad audience.

They then returned to Belgium to make “Rebel” (2022), which offers a gripping and intense exploration of radicalization and its profound effects on individuals and their families. Set against the backdrop of Molenbeek, a district in Brussels known for its diverse population and sometimes linked to extremism, the film dives deep into the life of Kamal, a young man who becomes entangled with ISIS. In the film, which Adil & Bilall referred to as their most personal project, they combine intense action sequences with moments of poignant drama, creating a thrilling and deeply moving narrative.

Their ability to move back and forth, from Belgium to Hollywood and back, from intimate character studies to commercial hit movies and back, is indisputably their niche—always in collaboration with the same DOP, Belgian-born Robrecht Heyvaert. Their latest feature “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” was released last month in the U.S. and has so far grossed over $177 million in the U.S. and $360 million worldwide. Adil & Bilall are here to stay, and the prospects are better than ever. Their journey from independent filmmakers in Belgium to mainstream Hollywood directors is a testament to their talent and determination. They have navigated different genres and formats with ease, always bringing their unique vision and cultural perspective to their projects. On top of that, their success opened doors for other filmmakers of diverse backgrounds, highlighting the importance of representation in the film industry and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers.

Long story short, their upcoming feature “Patsers” (no foreign-language title available at this moment) will most likely exemplify the power of storytelling to bridge cultural divides and create universally resonant narratives. Their films entertain and provoke thought and empathy, making them two of the most exciting filmmakers working today.

“Patsers” will be released in Belgium early 2025.

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (2024, trailer)

FILMS OF ADIL & BILALL

IMAGE (2014) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Peter Bouckaert, Kobe Van Steenberghe, Hendrik Verthé SCR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Bram Renders CAM Robrecht Heyvaert MUS Hannes De Maeyer CAST Nabil Mallat, Laura Verlinden, Gene Bervoets, Geert Van Rampelberg, Wouter Hendrickx, Sanâa Alaoui, Manou Kersting, Charlotte Anne Bogaerts

BLACK (2015) DIR – ED Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Bert Hamelinck, Ivy Vanhaecke, Frank Van Passel SCR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Nele Meirhaeghe, Hans Herbots (novel by Dirk Bracke) CAM Robrecht Heyvaert MUS Hannes De Maeyer CAST Sanâa Alaoui, Martha Canga Antonio, Adoubakr Bensaihi, Sanaa Bourrasse, Soufiane Chilah, Brahim El Abdouni

DODE HOEK, a.k.a. BLIND SPOT (2017) DIR Nabil Ben Yadir PROD Nabil Ben Yabir, Peter Bouckaert, Benoit Roland SCR Nabil Ben Yadir, Laurent Brandenbourger, Michel Sabbe CAM Robrecht Heyvaert MUS Senjan Jansen CAST Peter Van den Begin, Soufiane Chilah, Jan Decleir, David Murgia, Ruth Becquart, Mathijs F. Scheepers, Bert Haelvoet, Gène Bervoets, Adil El Arbi (Bar Owner)

PATSER (2018) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Kobe Van Steenberghe, Hendrik Verthé SCR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Nabir Ben Yadir, Bram Renders, Kove Van Steenberghe, Hendrik Verthé CAM Robrecht Heyvaert ED Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Thijs Van Nuffel MUS Hannes De Maeyer CAST Matteo Simono, Nora Charib, Saïd Boumazoughe, Junes Lazaar, Gene Bervoets, Jeroen Perceval, Stefan Perceval, Dimitri Thivaios, Axel Daeseleire, Hans Royaards, Bond Mgebrishvili

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (2020) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, Doug Belgrad SCR Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan, Chris Bremner (story by Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan; characters created by George Gallo) CAM Robrecht Heyvaert ED Peter McNulty, Dan Lebental MUS Lorne Balfe CAST Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charkles Melton, Paola Núñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Adil El Arbi (Rideshare Driver), Bilall Fallah (Fael)

REBEL (2022) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Bert Hamelinck, Dimitri Verbeeck SCR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Kevin Meul, Jan van Dyck CAM Robrecht Heyvaert ED Frédéric Thoraval MUS Hannes De Maeyer CAST Aboubakr Bensaihi, Lubna Azabal, Tara Abboud, Youneds Bouab, Amir El Arbi, Joey Kwan, Céline Delberghe, Christopher Kuzongila

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE (2024) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, Doug Belgrad, Chad Oman SCR Chris Bremner, Will Beall (characters created by George Gallo) CAM Robrecht Heyvaert ED Dan Lebental, Asaf Eisenberg MUS Lorne Balfe CAST Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charkles Melton, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Michael Bay

PATSERS (2024) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah SCR Adil El Arbi, Ruben Vermeersch, Sven Huybrechts, Bram Renders CAST Matteo Simoni, Nora Gharib, Saïd Boumazoughe, Junes Lazaar

TV MOVIE

SCALPED (2017) DIR Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah PROD Sterlin Harjo SCR Doug Jung ED Jason Cherella MUS Hannes De Maeyer CAST Irene Bedard, Gil Birmingham, Sarah Minnich, Nic Bishop, Alex Meraz, Jesse Luken, Lily Gladstone