New TV series reveals private lives of BVs
Documentary peeks behind the scenes as famous Flemings go about their daily lives, starting with federal minister Maggie De Block
Up close and personal
In Kroost (it means “brood”), TV cameras follow BVs (bekende Vlamingen, or Famous Flemings) and their family and friends as they go about their daily lives. Reporter Eric Goens has chosen as his subjects people who need no introduction to Flemish viewers. He starts the series with Maggie De Block (pictured): the most popular politician in Belgium, according to a poll by VTM and De Morgen in Flanders and RTL/Le Soir in Wallonia.
De Block is known for keeping her public and private lives quite separate, so she’s an intriguing subject. Cameras follow her at work and at home in Merchtem, Flemish Brabant, where the viewer can sit in on a traditional De Block family get-together. The documentary also shows some of the tough decisions she has to make in her job as state secretary for migration and asylum: for example, deporting 21-year-old Wielsbeke plumber Navid Sharifi back to Afghanistan last autumn, under intense media and public scrutiny.
De Block talks freely about her life in the programme. She had a difficult childhood; her father passed away when she was eight and there was a problem of obesity in the family. She also admits that she isn’t sure if she wants to continue in her role after the federal election in May. A few hours after Sharifi was deported, she said: “I think that no one will want to do this job anymore. If there’s one occupation that’s a bottleneck job, it’s state secretary for migration and asylum.”
Kroost begins at 21.05 on Monday, 10 February on Vier. In the following episodes, cameras will follow TV chef Piet Huysentruyt, prime minister Elio Di Rupo, cyclist Tom Boonen, singer Eddy Wally, boxer Jean-Pierre “Junior” Bauwens, singer Karen Damen of girl band K3 and pop singer Koen Wauters.
www.vier.be/kroost
