Filmmaker Documents Brussels Wildlife

Thomas Jean films the wildlife within Brussels, Belgium, and presents his findings in the documentary Res nullius. For ten years, Jean has recorded foxes, kingfishers, and falcons thriving in the city. His new film connects biodiversity to urban planning and social justice, noting both positive projects—like reopening the Zenne river—and concerning destruction of valuable habitats near these improvements.

Jean argues for greater protection of existing natural areas, stating that Brussels risks becoming overwhelmed by concrete. He criticizes the use of housing shortages to justify environmental damage, asserting that biodiversity and social housing are not mutually exclusive. The film also observes that residents are now accustomed to sharing the city with foxes for thirty years, demonstrating that fears of attacks or disease proved unfounded.

Jean predicts the arrival of wild boar and raccoons to Brussels by 2030, and anticipates a breeding pair of Eurasian eagle-owls. The film currently screens in theaters, but the long-term viability of Brussels’ ecosystems remains dependent on political decisions.