Directed by : Christian Merret-Palmair
Produced by : FEW (Farrugia Entertainment Worldwide) - Barbès Films Compagnie
Genre: Fiction - Runtime: 1 h 35 min
French release: 15/02/2012
Production year: 2011

Willy Vanderbrook, a brilliant French Belgian who has become a citizen of the world, is approached about the job of concierge at one of Paris's great 5-star hotels.

He is welcomed by Serge Luyperts, a childhood friend, a blasé café owner who has taken in his ex-brother-in-law Frank Vrut, a Walloon separatist who is slightly psychopathic. Willy's application - rejected because he's too Belgian - forces him and his compatriots to carrying out a ridiculous and "royally" vengeful deception.

By pretending to be heir to the Belgian throne, Willy and his gang set off a series of joyful events in the 5-star establishment, which quickly grab the attention of Jessica, a professional schemer. She thinks she's seducing the future King of Belgium, but she has in fact met a craftier person than herself.

This burlesque detonator then drags the "Made in the Flat Country" trio into a scam with more far-reaching and dangerous consequences.

More info: http://en.unifrance.org/movie/33122/il-etait-une-fois-une-fois