Musician and film-maker’s story about a Belgian-Congolese man who takes his white wife to Drc to meet the family is complex, risky and bold
Congolese-born rapper, musician and film-maker Baloji (né Serge Baloji Tshiani) was a prizewinner at Cannes last year with this feature directing debut: a dynamic, teemingly populated, multistranded and tonally elusive picture which I initially thought would benefit from comparisons with Jordan Peele’s horror classic Get Out. In fact, it’s more complicated than that.
Koffi (Marc Zinga) is a Congolese man living in Belgium and married to a white woman, Alice (Lucie Debay). They are about to have twins and Koffi feels that he cannot put it off any further: whatever his family will think, the couple must journey back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to let them see Alice and let them get used to the idea. It particularly means propitiating...
Congolese-born rapper, musician and film-maker Baloji (né Serge Baloji Tshiani) was a prizewinner at Cannes last year with this feature directing debut: a dynamic, teemingly populated, multistranded and tonally elusive picture which I initially thought would benefit from comparisons with Jordan Peele’s horror classic Get Out. In fact, it’s more complicated than that.
Koffi (Marc Zinga) is a Congolese man living in Belgium and married to a white woman, Alice (Lucie Debay). They are about to have twins and Koffi feels that he cannot put it off any further: whatever his family will think, the couple must journey back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to let them see Alice and let them get used to the idea. It particularly means propitiating...
- 4/24/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
When considering a film, it can be healthy to have some skepticism, no matter what genre or subject matter is at hand. With regards to Omen, we have a Belgian-Congolese co-production, a highly intriguing contradiction to consider between the colonizer and the colonized that is itself part of the film’s text. Seeing a bevy of Western names in the end credits didn’t do much to ease these concerns about playing into the assumptions of a, say, European festival audience. Yet Omen is a respectable work all the same, an assured first feature by rapper-turned-actor Baloji Tshiani that never falters in ambition or surprise.
Our main character is Koffi (Marc Zinga), introduced with his afro being trimmed by his pregnant fiance Alice (Lucie Debay) as we see the pressure of assimilation haunting him, even though the film largely excises whiteness outside of Alice (in what seems like a somewhat...
Our main character is Koffi (Marc Zinga), introduced with his afro being trimmed by his pregnant fiance Alice (Lucie Debay) as we see the pressure of assimilation haunting him, even though the film largely excises whiteness outside of Alice (in what seems like a somewhat...
- 4/12/2024
- by Ethan Vestby
- The Film Stage
The powerful forces of family and fable, old and new, intertwine and vie for supremacy in Belgian-Congolese director Baloji’s visually striking debut. A film that is all about showing us how slippery perspectives can be and which has no problem in blending the real and surreal with energetic verve, it unfolds in four interconnected parts, each from a specific character’s viewpoint.
Chief among them is Koffi (Mark Zinga), who is about to become a dad with his white Belgian fiancee Alice (Lucie Debay). The pair of them are planning a trip back to his Democratic Republic of Congo homeland in order to make peace with his family, who have previously labelled him “a sorcerer” due to a facial birthmark. Baloji captures the liminal situation many who have lived away from home for a long time will relate to. The sense of not fitting in either in the new place or.
Chief among them is Koffi (Mark Zinga), who is about to become a dad with his white Belgian fiancee Alice (Lucie Debay). The pair of them are planning a trip back to his Democratic Republic of Congo homeland in order to make peace with his family, who have previously labelled him “a sorcerer” due to a facial birthmark. Baloji captures the liminal situation many who have lived away from home for a long time will relate to. The sense of not fitting in either in the new place or.
- 4/11/2024
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
In Omen, one fractured family attempts to reconcile two irreconcilable yet inextricable realities, that of the Republic of the Congo and its one-time colonial possessor, Belgium. In his feature directorial debut, Belgian-Congolese rapper Baloji avoids romanticizing either, preferring to depict their uneasy relation as it manifests in family squabbles.
The film is broken up into four sections, each with their own mood and color palette, titled after the central characters: Koffi (Marc Zinga), Paco (Marcel Otete Kabeya), Tshala (Eliane Umuhire), and Mujila (Yves-Marina Gnahoua). These sections intersect one another, though Koffi remains the overall protagonist. Ostracized for a port-wine stain birthmark that his family sees as a sign of evil sorcery, he returns from Belgium to the Congo after many years, hoping to obtain his parents’ blessing to marry Alice (Lucie Debay), his white Belgian fiancée, who’s pregnant with twins. From the outset, nothing goes as planned.
Omen makes...
The film is broken up into four sections, each with their own mood and color palette, titled after the central characters: Koffi (Marc Zinga), Paco (Marcel Otete Kabeya), Tshala (Eliane Umuhire), and Mujila (Yves-Marina Gnahoua). These sections intersect one another, though Koffi remains the overall protagonist. Ostracized for a port-wine stain birthmark that his family sees as a sign of evil sorcery, he returns from Belgium to the Congo after many years, hoping to obtain his parents’ blessing to marry Alice (Lucie Debay), his white Belgian fiancée, who’s pregnant with twins. From the outset, nothing goes as planned.
Omen makes...
- 4/7/2024
- by William Repass
- Slant Magazine
At first glance, “Omen” appears to be another entry in the long tradition of immigrant narratives dedicated to the old adage that you can’t go home again. Returning to the country of his birth, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Belgian resident Koffi (Marc Zinga) finds himself not just a stranger in a strange land, but a pariah in his own family. But things are more nuanced than that in this hazy, head-turning first feature from Belgian-Congolese rapper-turned-filmmaker Baloji: The deeper it delves into and across Koffi’s tortured family history, the clearer it becomes that his homeland was never a home to him at all. In “Omen,” cultural tradition is as much a force in dividing families as the gentrifying pull of the west, though Baloji lets viewers draw their own political conclusions amid a mist of vividly realized folklore.
A boldly outward-looking pick from Belgium as...
A boldly outward-looking pick from Belgium as...
- 12/8/2023
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
"Here they tell you to do something, and you do it." Utopia has unveiled the first trailer for an atmospheric thriller from Africa titled Omen, the feature directorial debut of the artist / filmmaker known as "Baloji". This premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year as one of the most unique discoveries from the fest. It's also now Belgium's submission to the 2024 Academy Awards. "Zabolo. It means the mark of the Devil." After years in Belgium, a young Congolese man comes back to his hometown of Kinshasa to face the complexities of his family and his culture. Omen is an ensemble film about people accused of being witches & sorcerers. Despite their misfortune they find the way to guide each other away from their destinies and into the phantasmagoria of Africa. Starring Marc Zinga, Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire, Yves-Marina Gnahoua, and Marcel Otete Kabeya. This trailer plays like a full-on horror movie,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed up Belgium’s buzzy rapper-turned-filmmaker Baloji.
Baloji, who made his directorial debut earlier this year with Omen, has signed with UTA for representation in all areas and will continue to be represented by Juanita Fellag at As Talents.
Omen debuted at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it picked up the New Voice Prize in Un Certain Regard. The pic has also secured 13 nominations from the African Movie Academy Awards, the highest number of nominations from Amaa this year.
Described as a “magical-realist drama” and set in Baloji’s native Congo, the film follows Koffi, a young Congolese man who — after spending years living in Belgium — returns to his birthplace of Kinshasa to confront the intricacies of his family and culture.
A Belgian-Dutch-Congolese-French-South African co-production, Omen stars Marc Zinga, best known for his work with the Dardenne brothers alongside Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire,...
Baloji, who made his directorial debut earlier this year with Omen, has signed with UTA for representation in all areas and will continue to be represented by Juanita Fellag at As Talents.
Omen debuted at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it picked up the New Voice Prize in Un Certain Regard. The pic has also secured 13 nominations from the African Movie Academy Awards, the highest number of nominations from Amaa this year.
Described as a “magical-realist drama” and set in Baloji’s native Congo, the film follows Koffi, a young Congolese man who — after spending years living in Belgium — returns to his birthplace of Kinshasa to confront the intricacies of his family and culture.
A Belgian-Dutch-Congolese-French-South African co-production, Omen stars Marc Zinga, best known for his work with the Dardenne brothers alongside Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
- 9/18/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Belgium has picked Omen, the first feature from rapper-turned-filmmaker Baloji to be its official entry for the 2024 Oscars in the best international feature category.
The magical realist drama follows Koffi (Marc Zinga), a young Congolese man who, after years of living in Belgium, returns to his birthplace of Kinshasa hoping to reconnect with his family. Koffi was born with a large Rorschach-esque birthmark that frightened his mother, Mujila (Yves-Marina Gnahoua), who labeled him a sorcerer and banished him to Europe. Over the course of the film, Baloji intertwines four stories of people ostracized by their communities and navigating accusations of witchcraft and sorcery. Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire and Marcel Otete Kabeya co-star.
A Belgian-Dutch-Congolese-French-South African co-production, Omen premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, where it won Baloji the New Vision Award. In her review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s Lovia Gyarkye called the film “an artful and intriguing take on the African diasporic experience.
The magical realist drama follows Koffi (Marc Zinga), a young Congolese man who, after years of living in Belgium, returns to his birthplace of Kinshasa hoping to reconnect with his family. Koffi was born with a large Rorschach-esque birthmark that frightened his mother, Mujila (Yves-Marina Gnahoua), who labeled him a sorcerer and banished him to Europe. Over the course of the film, Baloji intertwines four stories of people ostracized by their communities and navigating accusations of witchcraft and sorcery. Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire and Marcel Otete Kabeya co-star.
A Belgian-Dutch-Congolese-French-South African co-production, Omen premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, where it won Baloji the New Vision Award. In her review, The Hollywood Reporter‘s Lovia Gyarkye called the film “an artful and intriguing take on the African diasporic experience.
- 9/14/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Belgium has selected Omen, the debut feature from rapper-turned-filmmaker Baloji, as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars.
The pic, which debuted in the Un Certain Regard sidebar at Cannes 2023, follows Koffi, a young Congolese man who — after spending years living in Belgium — returns to his birthplace of Kinshasa to confront the intricacies of his family and culture.
A Belgian-Dutch-Congolese-French-South African co-production, Omen picked up the New Vision Award at Cannes. Starring is Marc Zinga, best known for his work with the Dardenne brothers alongside Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire, Yves-Marina Gnahoua, and Marcel Otete Kabeya.
The film is set for a theatrical release in Belgium on November 15. Pan Distribution is the French distributor, while Memento International is handling world sales. Production companies are Special Touch Studios, Wrong Men, New Amsterdam Film Company, Tosala Films, RadicalMedia, Serendipity Films, and Big World Cinema.
Belgium’s Oscar pick...
The pic, which debuted in the Un Certain Regard sidebar at Cannes 2023, follows Koffi, a young Congolese man who — after spending years living in Belgium — returns to his birthplace of Kinshasa to confront the intricacies of his family and culture.
A Belgian-Dutch-Congolese-French-South African co-production, Omen picked up the New Vision Award at Cannes. Starring is Marc Zinga, best known for his work with the Dardenne brothers alongside Lucie Debay, Eliane Umuhire, Yves-Marina Gnahoua, and Marcel Otete Kabeya.
The film is set for a theatrical release in Belgium on November 15. Pan Distribution is the French distributor, while Memento International is handling world sales. Production companies are Special Touch Studios, Wrong Men, New Amsterdam Film Company, Tosala Films, RadicalMedia, Serendipity Films, and Big World Cinema.
Belgium’s Oscar pick...
- 9/14/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
- 9/14/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
A theatrical release is plotted for spring 2024.
Aya Films has picked up Cannes title Omen (Augure), the directorial debut from Belgium-Congolese rapper, Baloji, from Paris-based Memento International.
A theatrical release is plotted in the UK and Ireland for spring 2024.
The magic realist film will premiere in the UK at BFI London Film Festival this October, following Baloji’s win of the Un Certain Regard – new voice prize at this year’s Cannes.
It centres on a young Congolese man who travels back to his hometown in Kinshasa to reunite with his family and culture, alongside his European fiancée. Complexities abound...
Aya Films has picked up Cannes title Omen (Augure), the directorial debut from Belgium-Congolese rapper, Baloji, from Paris-based Memento International.
A theatrical release is plotted in the UK and Ireland for spring 2024.
The magic realist film will premiere in the UK at BFI London Film Festival this October, following Baloji’s win of the Un Certain Regard – new voice prize at this year’s Cannes.
It centres on a young Congolese man who travels back to his hometown in Kinshasa to reunite with his family and culture, alongside his European fiancée. Complexities abound...
- 9/5/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Belgian rapper and director Baloji is poised to make his feature directorial film ‘Omen’, a supernatural folk-drama. The movie is derived from his personal experiences as a Congolese-born European and deals with the complexities and emotions that come with inheriting two cultures, one of both his birth and the other of adopted homeland.
Witchcraft and magic are the centerpieces of the film.
Speaking to ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, Baloji said: “My name, Baloji, means ‘sorcerer’ in Swahili, which is a difficult name to live with. It’s like being an American named ‘devil’.”
“I did a lot of reading about witchcraft and the culture of witches in different societies. The origin of my name, actually, had meant man of science or woman of science. A healer might be the best translation in English,” he added.
He continued: “But when Christianity and the colonizers came, they gave the local science negative connotations,...
Witchcraft and magic are the centerpieces of the film.
Speaking to ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, Baloji said: “My name, Baloji, means ‘sorcerer’ in Swahili, which is a difficult name to live with. It’s like being an American named ‘devil’.”
“I did a lot of reading about witchcraft and the culture of witches in different societies. The origin of my name, actually, had meant man of science or woman of science. A healer might be the best translation in English,” he added.
He continued: “But when Christianity and the colonizers came, they gave the local science negative connotations,...
- 7/2/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The 2023 Cannes Market is behind us, and like clockwork, Neon managed to buy the winner of the Palme d’Or for the fourth straight year, Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall.”
But that wasn’t the only major sale. This year’s Marché du Film netted major domestic deals for some of the buzziest competition titles such as Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves,” as well as hot packages like “Paddington 3.” But uncertainty over the writers strike still loomed large, and distributors favored completed projects over packages.
Below are some of the deals we’ve tracked out of Cannes so far, and we’ll be updating this space with more sales as they come in.
Title: “Anselm”
Section: Special Screenings
Distributor: Sideshow and Janus Films
Wim Wenders had not one but two separate films play at this year’s Cannes, and now each have found a home.
But that wasn’t the only major sale. This year’s Marché du Film netted major domestic deals for some of the buzziest competition titles such as Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves,” as well as hot packages like “Paddington 3.” But uncertainty over the writers strike still loomed large, and distributors favored completed projects over packages.
Below are some of the deals we’ve tracked out of Cannes so far, and we’ll be updating this space with more sales as they come in.
Title: “Anselm”
Section: Special Screenings
Distributor: Sideshow and Janus Films
Wim Wenders had not one but two separate films play at this year’s Cannes, and now each have found a home.
- 6/28/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Utopia has acquired the North American rights to the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard New Voice Prize winner “Omen,” the debut feature from artist-musician turned director Baloji.
The film follows a young man, Koffi, played by Marc Zinga (“Spectre”), who after spending years in Belgium returns home to the Congo to find himself confronted by his past and culture at a family event.
Koffi visits his birthplace after being mysteriously shunned by his family and spending years abroad in Europe. With his soon-to-be wife and unborn child in tow, Koffi’s arrival sets in motion a sprawling, nightmarish and psychedelic fairy tale about ancestry, belief, wrestling, witchcraft and sorcery in Africa today.
Director Baloji was born in Lubumbashi, Congo, in 1978, and was sent to live with his step family in Belgium when he was 3 years old. Separated from his birth parents, he had a troubled childhood and dropped...
The film follows a young man, Koffi, played by Marc Zinga (“Spectre”), who after spending years in Belgium returns home to the Congo to find himself confronted by his past and culture at a family event.
Koffi visits his birthplace after being mysteriously shunned by his family and spending years abroad in Europe. With his soon-to-be wife and unborn child in tow, Koffi’s arrival sets in motion a sprawling, nightmarish and psychedelic fairy tale about ancestry, belief, wrestling, witchcraft and sorcery in Africa today.
Director Baloji was born in Lubumbashi, Congo, in 1978, and was sent to live with his step family in Belgium when he was 3 years old. Separated from his birth parents, he had a troubled childhood and dropped...
- 6/27/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Baloji, the Belgian-Congolese rapper, explores a familiar set of themes with an artful and impressionistic touch in his directorial debut Omen (Augure).
Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, the magical-realist drama tackles displacement and belonging through four characters who’ve been ostracized by their communities. The musician pulls from his personal experiences and uses a visual language honed in his short films, like 2018’s Zombies, to craft a beguiling tale.
The journey begins with Koffi (Marc Zinga), a young Congolese man living in Europe with his white fiancée Alice (Lucie Debay). We see him preparing for an upcoming trip to Democratic Republic of Congo, where he hopes to amend his relationship with his family. Koffi’s birthmark — a large Rorschach-esque blot — frightened his mother, Mujila (a sharp Yves-Marina Gnahoua), when he came out of the womb. She labeled him a sorcerer and sent him to Europe.
Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, the magical-realist drama tackles displacement and belonging through four characters who’ve been ostracized by their communities. The musician pulls from his personal experiences and uses a visual language honed in his short films, like 2018’s Zombies, to craft a beguiling tale.
The journey begins with Koffi (Marc Zinga), a young Congolese man living in Europe with his white fiancée Alice (Lucie Debay). We see him preparing for an upcoming trip to Democratic Republic of Congo, where he hopes to amend his relationship with his family. Koffi’s birthmark — a large Rorschach-esque blot — frightened his mother, Mujila (a sharp Yves-Marina Gnahoua), when he came out of the womb. She labeled him a sorcerer and sent him to Europe.
- 5/24/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Editor’s Note: This review originally published during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Utopia will release “Omen” in theaters Friday, April 12.
One of the innumerable tragedies that have resulted from the decades-long strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the suffocation of any kind of national cinema. For most of this century, the nation’s capital, Kinshasa, has not even had a film theater; due to chronic funding difficulties and the instability that plagues much of the country, the handful of non-documentary features about Congo that emerge are largely financed by foreign players.
“Omen,” the feature debut by hip-hopper-turned-filmmaker Baloji, is a Belgian, Dutch, and Congolese co-production, and even as it offers a deeply felt look at Congolese customs, sensibilities, and family dynamics, it foregrounds its own European perspective. What results is an intriguingly ambivalent reckoning with Baloji’s mother country, a genre-hopping, beautifully slippery exploration of Congolese belief systems...
One of the innumerable tragedies that have resulted from the decades-long strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the suffocation of any kind of national cinema. For most of this century, the nation’s capital, Kinshasa, has not even had a film theater; due to chronic funding difficulties and the instability that plagues much of the country, the handful of non-documentary features about Congo that emerge are largely financed by foreign players.
“Omen,” the feature debut by hip-hopper-turned-filmmaker Baloji, is a Belgian, Dutch, and Congolese co-production, and even as it offers a deeply felt look at Congolese customs, sensibilities, and family dynamics, it foregrounds its own European perspective. What results is an intriguingly ambivalent reckoning with Baloji’s mother country, a genre-hopping, beautifully slippery exploration of Congolese belief systems...
- 5/22/2023
- by Arjun Sajip
- Indiewire
What if you had to track down and have sex with everyone you’ve ever slept with, for the good of your current relationship? That’s the quirky premise of Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni’s new comedy, ‘The (Ex)perience of Love,’ the follow-up to their 2020 debut “Une vie démente.”
When we meet them, the couple in question, Sandra (Lucie Debay) and Rémy (Lazare Gousseau), are hoping to have a child, and after having no luck conceiving naturally, they decide to see a doctor. Curveball: the doctor tells them that they are suffering from a recently identified condition, Past Love Syndrome. The cure is to go forth and finish all their unfinished business, by sleeping with everyone they’ve ever slept with, like a sort of sexy exorcism.
Of course, this exotic premise is really just a jumping off point for a comedy-drama about romantic relationships — the...
When we meet them, the couple in question, Sandra (Lucie Debay) and Rémy (Lazare Gousseau), are hoping to have a child, and after having no luck conceiving naturally, they decide to see a doctor. Curveball: the doctor tells them that they are suffering from a recently identified condition, Past Love Syndrome. The cure is to go forth and finish all their unfinished business, by sleeping with everyone they’ve ever slept with, like a sort of sexy exorcism.
Of course, this exotic premise is really just a jumping off point for a comedy-drama about romantic relationships — the...
- 5/21/2023
- by Catherine Bray
- Variety Film + TV
In their sophomore feature as a directing duo, Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni return to the themes of troubled relationships and infertility.
The (Ex)perience of Love – which premiered in Cannes' special screening section – follows Sandra (Lucie Debay) and Rémy (Lazare Gousseau), a charming couple on the brink of middle age, settled into their desk jobs with a desperate desire to commit themselves to the next step in their relationship. The only problem is — no matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to get the good news of a baby being on the way.
That all changes once they receive an urgent message from their doctor who brings good news from the Seattle Obstetrics Congress, where he discussed their infertility with his colleagues. He says that they could be suffering from the newly discovered “Past Love Syndrome.” A condition of both mental and physical blockage that...
The (Ex)perience of Love – which premiered in Cannes' special screening section – follows Sandra (Lucie Debay) and Rémy (Lazare Gousseau), a charming couple on the brink of middle age, settled into their desk jobs with a desperate desire to commit themselves to the next step in their relationship. The only problem is — no matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to get the good news of a baby being on the way.
That all changes once they receive an urgent message from their doctor who brings good news from the Seattle Obstetrics Congress, where he discussed their infertility with his colleagues. He says that they could be suffering from the newly discovered “Past Love Syndrome.” A condition of both mental and physical blockage that...
- 5/19/2023
- by Nikola Jovic
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Sure to add some spice and throw some intellectual stimuli to what is the norm for the heteronormative — Belgium filmmaker tandem Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni bring some laughs to the Critics’ Week (05.20) with The (Ex)perience of Love aka Le Syndrome des Amours Passées. The Special Screening selection tells the tale of Rémy (Lazare Gousseau) and Sandra (Lucie Debay) cannot procreate as they are suffering from “The Past Love Syndrome”. There’s only one cure: have sex one more time with all of their exes. In this clip the couple need to make that weird phone call to their exes.…...
- 5/8/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Memento International is set to represent global rights to “Omen,” the feature debut of Belgian-Congolese artist-turned filmmaker Baloji which is slated to world premiere at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
Baloji previously directed several short films including “Zombies” which played at the BFI London film festival. Blurring the lines between reality and the realm of dreams, “Omen” follows Kofi, who return to his birthplace after being ostracized by his family. The movie explores the weight of beliefs on one’s destiny through four characters accused of being witches and sorcerers, all of them intertwined and guiding each other into the phantasmagoria of Africa.
The film stars Marc Zinga Lucie Debay (“Our Men”) and Eliane Umuhire (“Birds Are Singing in Kigali”).
“I like to describe ‘Omen’ as a chimerical film, an ode to the imaginary and the visceral, evoking the spirits of the departed as much as the boundless energy of childhood,...
Baloji previously directed several short films including “Zombies” which played at the BFI London film festival. Blurring the lines between reality and the realm of dreams, “Omen” follows Kofi, who return to his birthplace after being ostracized by his family. The movie explores the weight of beliefs on one’s destiny through four characters accused of being witches and sorcerers, all of them intertwined and guiding each other into the phantasmagoria of Africa.
The film stars Marc Zinga Lucie Debay (“Our Men”) and Eliane Umuhire (“Birds Are Singing in Kigali”).
“I like to describe ‘Omen’ as a chimerical film, an ode to the imaginary and the visceral, evoking the spirits of the departed as much as the boundless energy of childhood,...
- 4/21/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The 2023 Cannes Critics Week lineup has officially been unveiled.
Hot off of the world premiere of first-time filmmaker Charlotte Wells’ Oscar-nominated “Aftersun,” this year’s Critics Week marks seven highly-anticipated feature debuts from directors like Amanda Nell (“Tiger Stripes”) and Jason Yu (“Jam”).
The lineup kicks off with opening night film “Ama Gloria,” directed by French filmmaker Marie Amachoukeli, who previously won Cannes’ Camera d’Or for 2014’s “Party Girl” which Amachoukeli co-directed with Claire Burger and Samuel Theis. (Critics Week allows for both first and second films in its lineup.) “Ama Gloria” centers on six-year-old girl Cléo who copes with her nanny Gloria leaving to return to Cape Verde.
The closing night film is Erwan le Duc’s “La fille de son père,” billed as a “bittersweet comedy about paternity and filiation with a poetic and off-beat angle.” Le Duc previously helmed “Perdrix”; Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Céleste Brunnquell star as father and daughter.
Hot off of the world premiere of first-time filmmaker Charlotte Wells’ Oscar-nominated “Aftersun,” this year’s Critics Week marks seven highly-anticipated feature debuts from directors like Amanda Nell (“Tiger Stripes”) and Jason Yu (“Jam”).
The lineup kicks off with opening night film “Ama Gloria,” directed by French filmmaker Marie Amachoukeli, who previously won Cannes’ Camera d’Or for 2014’s “Party Girl” which Amachoukeli co-directed with Claire Burger and Samuel Theis. (Critics Week allows for both first and second films in its lineup.) “Ama Gloria” centers on six-year-old girl Cléo who copes with her nanny Gloria leaving to return to Cape Verde.
The closing night film is Erwan le Duc’s “La fille de son père,” billed as a “bittersweet comedy about paternity and filiation with a poetic and off-beat angle.” Le Duc previously helmed “Perdrix”; Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Céleste Brunnquell star as father and daughter.
- 4/17/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Rolling off a successful edition that premiered Charlotte Wells’ celebrated film “Aftersun” with Paul Mescal, Cannes Critics’ Week is back with an international lineup spanning South Korea and Malaysia to France and Jordan, among others.
The Critics’ Week sidebar runs parallel to the Cannes Film Festival, and focuses on first and second films. Under the leadership of artistic director Ava Cahen since last year, the lineup will boast 11 feature films chosen from 1,000 submitted movies.
Out of these 11 movies, seven are feature debuts and six are directed by women. Among them is the opening night film, “Ama Gloria,” directed by French helmer Marie Amachoukeli, who previously won Cannes’ Golden Camera for “Party Girl” which she co-directed with Claire Burger and Samuel Theis.
“Ama Gloria” tells the story of Cléo, a six-year old girl who sees her beloved nanny, Gloria, leave town to return to Cape Verde.
This 62nd edition will wrap...
The Critics’ Week sidebar runs parallel to the Cannes Film Festival, and focuses on first and second films. Under the leadership of artistic director Ava Cahen since last year, the lineup will boast 11 feature films chosen from 1,000 submitted movies.
Out of these 11 movies, seven are feature debuts and six are directed by women. Among them is the opening night film, “Ama Gloria,” directed by French helmer Marie Amachoukeli, who previously won Cannes’ Golden Camera for “Party Girl” which she co-directed with Claire Burger and Samuel Theis.
“Ama Gloria” tells the story of Cléo, a six-year old girl who sees her beloved nanny, Gloria, leave town to return to Cape Verde.
This 62nd edition will wrap...
- 4/17/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Belgian comedy drama now hopes to secure an Italian distributor.
Raphaël Balboni and Ann Sirot’s feature debut Madly In Life won the top prize of the international competition at Italy’s Bergamo Film Meeting (Bfm), which ran online this year from April 24 - May 2. The award, chosen by the festival audience, is worth €5,000.
The Belgian comedy-drama revolves around a couple played by Jean Le Peltier and Lucie Debay, who put their plans for a family on hold to care for Alex’s monther who is diagnosed with dementia. It was produced by Helicotronc and had its international premiere at Tallinn in 2020.
Furthermore,...
Raphaël Balboni and Ann Sirot’s feature debut Madly In Life won the top prize of the international competition at Italy’s Bergamo Film Meeting (Bfm), which ran online this year from April 24 - May 2. The award, chosen by the festival audience, is worth €5,000.
The Belgian comedy-drama revolves around a couple played by Jean Le Peltier and Lucie Debay, who put their plans for a family on hold to care for Alex’s monther who is diagnosed with dementia. It was produced by Helicotronc and had its international premiere at Tallinn in 2020.
Furthermore,...
- 5/4/2021
- by Gabriele Niola
- ScreenDaily
If you thought last year's Shudder releases were impressive, wait until you see what they have in store for 2021, including eleven weeks of movie premieres. Here's the official press release, detailing all of their upcoming releases that include The Dark and the Wicked, Violation, and many more:
New York, NY – January 14, 2021 – Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, today announced its unbeatable lineup of eleven new Shudder Original and Shudder Exclusive films set to premiere on the service over the next eleven weeks: Hunted, The Queen of Black Magic, A Nightmare Wakes, After Midnight, Shook, The Dark & the Wicked, Lucky, Stay Out of the F**king Attic, Slaxx, Koko-di Koko-da and Violation that together span five countries on three continents and range from dark comedy to survival horror to period psychological thrillers. The eleven films represent vibrant, creative passion driving independent and international genre cinema today,...
New York, NY – January 14, 2021 – Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, today announced its unbeatable lineup of eleven new Shudder Original and Shudder Exclusive films set to premiere on the service over the next eleven weeks: Hunted, The Queen of Black Magic, A Nightmare Wakes, After Midnight, Shook, The Dark & the Wicked, Lucky, Stay Out of the F**king Attic, Slaxx, Koko-di Koko-da and Violation that together span five countries on three continents and range from dark comedy to survival horror to period psychological thrillers. The eleven films represent vibrant, creative passion driving independent and international genre cinema today,...
- 1/15/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Shudder, AMC’s horror and thriller-focused streaming platform, announced a lineup of 11 films set to premiere over the next 11 weeks.
The selection of Shudder Originals coming to Shudder include Sundance Film Festival selections, as well as Tribeca Film Festival selections and a host of new content, as well. The first project to join the streaming site will be “Hunted,” a take on the Little Red Riding Hood story that is set to premiere Jan. 14.
Other movies joining Shudder hail from the genres of psychological horror to thriller, with themes exploring technology, nature, gender and betrayal. “Lucky,” coming on March 4, will detail the difficulties one woman faces after discovering that she has a stalker. And “A Nightmare Wakes” will give life to Mary Shelley in a period piece about the famous author.
The final film in the 11-week lineup is “Violation,” which both ran at Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival.
The selection of Shudder Originals coming to Shudder include Sundance Film Festival selections, as well as Tribeca Film Festival selections and a host of new content, as well. The first project to join the streaming site will be “Hunted,” a take on the Little Red Riding Hood story that is set to premiere Jan. 14.
Other movies joining Shudder hail from the genres of psychological horror to thriller, with themes exploring technology, nature, gender and betrayal. “Lucky,” coming on March 4, will detail the difficulties one woman faces after discovering that she has a stalker. And “A Nightmare Wakes” will give life to Mary Shelley in a period piece about the famous author.
The final film in the 11-week lineup is “Violation,” which both ran at Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival.
- 1/14/2021
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Shudder is looking to kick off a new year with a jam-packed January release schedule that includes the Peter Cushing collection, Hunted, The Queen of Black Magic, Super Dark Times, Clive Barker's Nightbreed, the entire first season of The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and more!
Below, you can check out the full list of titles coming to Shudder in the U.S. in January, and be sure to visit Shudder's website to learn more about the streaming service and their scary good lineup!
New Shudder Original/Exclusive Movies
Hunted — January 14
What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge. A...
Below, you can check out the full list of titles coming to Shudder in the U.S. in January, and be sure to visit Shudder's website to learn more about the streaming service and their scary good lineup!
New Shudder Original/Exclusive Movies
Hunted — January 14
What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge. A...
- 12/17/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
"The company of wolves is better than that of man." Shudder has debuted an official US trailer for an indie French horror thriller titled Hunted, which originally premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival earlier this year. The film is the first solo directorial gig for filmmaker Vincent Paronnaud following work co-directing Persepolis and Chicken with Plums with Marjane Satrapi before. Described as a "modern and radical take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable, Hunted is an exhilarating, transcendent, and frequently brutal survival tale that elevates itself with the power of myth and magic, while still holding an exacting mirror to present-day society." Lucie Debay stars as a woman forced on the run into a forest pursued by two men. The cast includes Arieh Worthalter, Ciaran O'Brien, and Jean-Mathias Pondant. Hot damn this looks gnarly! Nothing original in terms of horror, but it does look like a killer revenge tale.
- 12/9/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Presents A New Shudder Original Hunted Vincent Paronnaud’s Fevered Survival Horror Coming Exclusively to AMC Networks’ Shudder January 14th New Poster & Trailer Released! Don’t miss the new feature from the co-director of the Cannes award-winning and Academy nominated Persepolis! Starring Lucie Debay (The Confession) and Arieh Worthalter (Girl) Synopsis: What started as a flirtatious …
The post New Trailer & Poster Released for Hunted, a film by Vincent Paronnaud – Fevered Survival Thriller Coming to Shudder January 14th...
The post New Trailer & Poster Released for Hunted, a film by Vincent Paronnaud – Fevered Survival Thriller Coming to Shudder January 14th...
- 12/4/2020
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
A contemporary take on "Little Red Riding Hood," Vincent Paronnaud's Hunted is coming to Shudder on January 14th, and its official trailer has been unleashed ahead of its streaming release:
Synopsis: "What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve (Lucie Debay) becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive in the wilderness—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge.
A modern and radical take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable, Hunted is an exhilarating, transcendent, and frequently brutal survival tale that elevates itself with the power of myth and magic, while still holding an exacting mirror to present-day society."
The live-action, English-language, and solo directorial debut for acclaimed French filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud,...
Synopsis: "What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve (Lucie Debay) becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive in the wilderness—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge.
A modern and radical take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable, Hunted is an exhilarating, transcendent, and frequently brutal survival tale that elevates itself with the power of myth and magic, while still holding an exacting mirror to present-day society."
The live-action, English-language, and solo directorial debut for acclaimed French filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud,...
- 12/4/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Don’t miss Hunt, the new feature from the co-director of the Cannes award-winning and Academy nominated Persepolis! Starring Lucie Debay (The Confession) and Arieh Worthalter (Girl). Check out the terrifying trailer:
What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve (Lucie Debay) becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive in the wilderness—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge.
A modern and radical take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable, Hunted is an exhilarating, transcendent, and frequently brutal survival tale that elevates itself with the power of myth and magic, while still holding an exacting mirror to present-day society.
The live-action, English-language, and solo directorial debut for acclaimed French filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud,...
What started as a flirtatious encounter at a bar turns into a life-or-death struggle as Eve (Lucie Debay) becomes the unknowing target of a misogynistic plot against her. Forced to flee as two men pursue her through the forest, she’s pushed to her extremes while fighting to survive in the wilderness—but survival isn’t enough for Eve. She will have revenge.
A modern and radical take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable, Hunted is an exhilarating, transcendent, and frequently brutal survival tale that elevates itself with the power of myth and magic, while still holding an exacting mirror to present-day society.
The live-action, English-language, and solo directorial debut for acclaimed French filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud,...
- 12/4/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Abduction horror-thriller screens in competition in Sitges International Film Festival this week.
Paris-based sales company Charades has unveiled a slew of international sales on French director Vincent Paronnaud’s horror-thriller Hunted, ahead of its screening in competition at the Sitges International Film Festival today (October 15).
AMC Network’s genre-focused streaming service Shudder has acquired the title for the UK, US, Canada and Australia. In another multi-territory deal Berlin-based Pandastorm has taken rights for Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Other regional deals include all of Scandinavia (Njuta); the Baltics and Cis (World Pictures) and Lebanon and the Gulf (Gulf Film). It has...
Paris-based sales company Charades has unveiled a slew of international sales on French director Vincent Paronnaud’s horror-thriller Hunted, ahead of its screening in competition at the Sitges International Film Festival today (October 15).
AMC Network’s genre-focused streaming service Shudder has acquired the title for the UK, US, Canada and Australia. In another multi-territory deal Berlin-based Pandastorm has taken rights for Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Other regional deals include all of Scandinavia (Njuta); the Baltics and Cis (World Pictures) and Lebanon and the Gulf (Gulf Film). It has...
- 10/15/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Eve (Lucie Debay) is a stranger in town. She's there to supervise a construction site and she's being bullied by her boss for not being aggressive enough with the contractors. He would like to send a man in to take care of it. Tired, she goes for a drink in a local bar to get a bit of time to herself. There she meets a man (Arieh Worthalter) who seems to understand her frustration. He's funny and charming. It's only after they leave, after she gets into a car with him and the man he claimed was his brother, that the mood changes. Before she knows it, she's fighting for her life.
This may not be an unusual scenario in cinema. It's something that many women have to consider on a frequent basis in day to day life. If you think you've seen it all before, though, Vincent Paronnaud's thriller will.
This may not be an unusual scenario in cinema. It's something that many women have to consider on a frequent basis in day to day life. If you think you've seen it all before, though, Vincent Paronnaud's thriller will.
- 8/26/2020
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
*full disclosure: online access to the film was provided by the fine folks of Fantasia. Director: Vincent Paronnaud. Writers: Vincent Paronnaud, Léa Pernollet. Cast: Lucie Debay, Ciaran O'Brien, Arieh Worthalter. This year's Fantasia Film Festival has kicked off as of August 20th. This event takes place in Montreal, Quebec every year, but is online only in the time of CV19. Several World Premieres are taking place at Fantasia including Vincent Paronnaud's (Asylum: Twisted Horror and Fantasy Tales) story of shock-and-awe, Hunted. In the film, one woman is chased by the Big Bad Wolf, in Paronnaud's rendition of "Little Red Riding Hood." But, in this film, the heroine has an enchanted forest to back her up and her own inner hunter. A child's tale is updated for adults as Hunted offers a few surprises along the way, including Little Red aka Eve (Lucie Debay) losing her mind, some place in Act II.
- 8/22/2020
- by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Bloody Disgusting has learned ahead of the Cannes market that Shudder is in talks to acquire Cosmogony, a psychological thriller directed by Vincent Paronnaud (Persepolis). “The film follows Eve (Lucie Debay), who meets what she thinks is a charming guy (Arieh Worthalter) in a bar. Yet things go terribly wrong once she realizes she has come across a psychopath and […]...
- 6/11/2020
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
French director Vincent Paronnaud is best known as an animator, having co-directed two films with Marjane Satrapi. The two parted ways following 2011’s Chicken with Plums and Paronnaud returns with his solo, live-action effort, Cosmogony (his 2009 title Villemolle 81 was released under the pseudonym Winshluss). Paronnaud’s latest features Lucie Debay and Arieh Worthalter, produced by Alexandre Perrier and Benoit Roland, and is lensed by Joachim Philippe. Paronnaud competed in Cannes with Persepolis, which took home the Jury Prize in 2007. 2011’s Chicken with Plums competed in Venice.…...
- 12/31/2019
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Charades, the Paris-based sales banner, has boarded a pair of stylish English-language genre films: Steven Kostanski’s science fiction comedy “Psycho Goreman” (pictured), and “Cosmogony,” a psychological thriller directed by Vincent Paronnaud (“Persepolis”).
“Cosmogony” follows Eve, who meets what she thinks is a charming guy in a bar. Yet things go terribly wrong once she realizes she has come across a psychopath and his accomplice. They engage in a death chase until she decides to fight back with the forest as her only ally.
Starring Arieh Worthalter (“Girl”) and Lucie Debay (“Lola Pater), “Cosmogony” is produced by France’s Kidam, Belgium’s Wrong Men and Ireland’s Savage Prods. The film is now in post and Charades is showing a promo of it at the Afm.
“Psycho Goreman,” meanwhile, is produced by Peter Kuplowsky, the programmer of the Toronto film festival’s Midnight Madness section. The movie takes place in...
“Cosmogony” follows Eve, who meets what she thinks is a charming guy in a bar. Yet things go terribly wrong once she realizes she has come across a psychopath and his accomplice. They engage in a death chase until she decides to fight back with the forest as her only ally.
Starring Arieh Worthalter (“Girl”) and Lucie Debay (“Lola Pater), “Cosmogony” is produced by France’s Kidam, Belgium’s Wrong Men and Ireland’s Savage Prods. The film is now in post and Charades is showing a promo of it at the Afm.
“Psycho Goreman,” meanwhile, is produced by Peter Kuplowsky, the programmer of the Toronto film festival’s Midnight Madness section. The movie takes place in...
- 11/6/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Julie Moulier, Lucie Debay and Arnaud Valois star in the filmmaker’s new feature. Le Bureau is producing and selling the film worldwide. Fabienne Godet finished shooting What If Tomorrow (French title: Si demain…) last week, her fifth feature after Burnt Out, My Greatest Escape (selected in the Forum section at the Berlinale in 2009 and nominated for the 2010 César Award for Best Documentary), A Place on Earth (Audience Award winner at MyFrenchFilmFestival in 2015 and for which Benoît Poelvoorde won the Best Actor Magritte Award in 2014) and Our Wonderful Lives (presented this year at Rotterdam). In the cast, Fabienne Godet is reunited with Julie Moulier (excellent in Our Wonderful Lives and previously appreciated in Let the Girls Play and In Bed with Victoria), who is supported by Belgian actress Lucie Debay (winner of the Best Supporting Actress...
Variety has been given exclusive access to the trailer for political satire “The Barefoot Emperor,” which has been selected for the Contemporary World Cinema section at the Toronto Film Festival.
Directed, written and produced by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, the film is a sequel of “King of the Belgians,” which had its world premiere in Venice. Pamela Leu at Be for Films is handling international sales on the film.
The film follows the King of the Belgians, who is on his way home from a state visit to Istanbul, when he suffers a gunshot wound to the ear during an unfortunate incident in Sarajevo.
When he wakes up in a sanatorium on a Croatian island, once Tito’s renowned summer residence, the confused King learns that the recent collapse of his kingdom has led to the implosion of the European Union.
An envoy arrives from Vienna and Mama Wakolux,...
Directed, written and produced by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, the film is a sequel of “King of the Belgians,” which had its world premiere in Venice. Pamela Leu at Be for Films is handling international sales on the film.
The film follows the King of the Belgians, who is on his way home from a state visit to Istanbul, when he suffers a gunshot wound to the ear during an unfortunate incident in Sarajevo.
When he wakes up in a sanatorium on a Croatian island, once Tito’s renowned summer residence, the confused King learns that the recent collapse of his kingdom has led to the implosion of the European Union.
An envoy arrives from Vienna and Mama Wakolux,...
- 8/13/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Belgian filmmaking duo who made their name with short films such as With Thelma and Lucha Libre have started shooting their first full-length work. Renowned for the highly graphic and fantastical universes of their short films, the duo composed of Raphaël Balboni and Ann Sirot are commencing filming today, 8 July, on their first full-length picture, A Moonstruck Life, a bittersweet comedy on semantic dementia, starring Jean Le Peltier (who also featured in their short films), Jo Deseure (Un homme à la mer) and Lucie Debay. The film follows in the footsteps of Alex, who’s in his thirties, and those of Suzanne, his mother, who’s an elegant and charismatic lady in her sixties and the director of a contemporary arts centre in Brussels. But, little by little, Suzanne starts dropping the ball, and...
Guillaume Senez's single-dad drama Our Struggles took the top prize at Belgium's Magritte Awards, which were handed out Saturday night in Brussels, with a win in the best film category.
The Cannes Critics' Week entry, which is also nominated for a handful of French Cesar Awards, also won the best director prize for Senez and brought home trophies for best supporting actress (Lucie Debay) and best new actress (Lena Girard Voss).
Netflix's Girl, Lukas Dhont's transgender dancer drama, which was nominated for a Golden Globe and was Belgium's official Oscar submission, had led the Magritte nominations ...
The Cannes Critics' Week entry, which is also nominated for a handful of French Cesar Awards, also won the best director prize for Senez and brought home trophies for best supporting actress (Lucie Debay) and best new actress (Lena Girard Voss).
Netflix's Girl, Lukas Dhont's transgender dancer drama, which was nominated for a Golden Globe and was Belgium's official Oscar submission, had led the Magritte nominations ...
Guillaume Senez's single-dad drama Our Struggles took the top prize at Belgium's Magritte Awards, which were handed out Saturday night in Brussels, with a win in the best film category.
The Cannes Critics' Week entry, which is also nominated for a handful of French Cesar Awards, also won the best director prize for Senez and brought home trophies for best supporting actress (Lucie Debay) and best new actress (Lena Girard Voss).
Netflix's Girl, Lukas Dhont's transgender dancer drama, which was nominated for a Golden Globe and was Belgium's official Oscar submission, had led the Magritte nominations ...
The Cannes Critics' Week entry, which is also nominated for a handful of French Cesar Awards, also won the best director prize for Senez and brought home trophies for best supporting actress (Lucie Debay) and best new actress (Lena Girard Voss).
Netflix's Girl, Lukas Dhont's transgender dancer drama, which was nominated for a Golden Globe and was Belgium's official Oscar submission, had led the Magritte nominations ...
The major drama happens upfront in “Our Struggles”; the process of living with its less eventful but consistently taxing fallout, however, is where the meat of Guillaume Senez’s simple, affecting new film lies. Peering into the frown lines left where domestic and professional strife intersect, Senez’s film adopts a tone as straightforward as its title in portraying a dedicated but over-burdened father whose lot intensifies when his wife, out of the blue, walks out on him and their two young children. Like “Kramer vs. Kramer” shot through with the honest workplace politics at which contemporary French cinema excels, Senez’s stout-hearted follow-up to his justly acclaimed debut “Keeper” is less arduous than it sounds, with pockets of joy and hopeful release tucked amid its harder stretches. It might be too low-key to make arthouse waves internationally, but the sturdy star presence of Romain Duris in the lead should...
- 7/2/2018
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Road trip comedy drama stars Peter Van den Begin as the Belgian head of state.
Brussels and Paris based sales company Be For Films has taken international rights to Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth’s comedy-drama King Of The Belgians, which was announced in yesterday’s Venice line-up in the Orizzonti competition.
The film follows the titular Belgian king as he embarks on a state visit to Istanbul. When his home country begins to fall apart he must return to save his kingdom. However, a solar storm causes all airspace and communications to shut down, meaning he must begin a long journey across the Balkans to return home.
Peter Van den Begin (Allez, Eddy!) stars, with Lucie Debay, Titus De Voogdt, Bruno Georis, Pieter van der Houwen, Goran Radacovic, Valentin Galev and Nina Nikolina all amongst the cast.
Directing duo Brosens and Woodworth also penned the screenplay and produce for Bo Films. Co-producers are [link...
Brussels and Paris based sales company Be For Films has taken international rights to Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth’s comedy-drama King Of The Belgians, which was announced in yesterday’s Venice line-up in the Orizzonti competition.
The film follows the titular Belgian king as he embarks on a state visit to Istanbul. When his home country begins to fall apart he must return to save his kingdom. However, a solar storm causes all airspace and communications to shut down, meaning he must begin a long journey across the Balkans to return home.
Peter Van den Begin (Allez, Eddy!) stars, with Lucie Debay, Titus De Voogdt, Bruno Georis, Pieter van der Houwen, Goran Radacovic, Valentin Galev and Nina Nikolina all amongst the cast.
Directing duo Brosens and Woodworth also penned the screenplay and produce for Bo Films. Co-producers are [link...
- 7/29/2016
- ScreenDaily
Kebab Royal
Directors: Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodsworth
Writers: Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodsworth
Another Belgian directing duo we’re committed to championing is Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodsworth (who we also included prematurely on our 2015 list). Starting out as documentarians, they segued into narrative film with 2006’s Khadak, eventually spinning a loosely related trilogy with 2009’s Altiplano and 2012’s The Fifth Season (2012). While it’s possible to obtain copies of the first two, for some confounding reason, their last feature never received distribution in the Us even though it’s a fascinating, transfixing film. They filmed their latest, Kebab Royal, past March, which is now in post-production. Their films are often characterized by offbeat, surreal flourishes, and their latest concerns Nicolas II, the onerous Belgian King. Stuck on an economic mission in Istanbul, he learns of Flanders’ declaration for dependence while he’s away, and a simultaneous solar storm knocks out communication and airplanes.
Directors: Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodsworth
Writers: Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodsworth
Another Belgian directing duo we’re committed to championing is Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodsworth (who we also included prematurely on our 2015 list). Starting out as documentarians, they segued into narrative film with 2006’s Khadak, eventually spinning a loosely related trilogy with 2009’s Altiplano and 2012’s The Fifth Season (2012). While it’s possible to obtain copies of the first two, for some confounding reason, their last feature never received distribution in the Us even though it’s a fascinating, transfixing film. They filmed their latest, Kebab Royal, past March, which is now in post-production. Their films are often characterized by offbeat, surreal flourishes, and their latest concerns Nicolas II, the onerous Belgian King. Stuck on an economic mission in Istanbul, he learns of Flanders’ declaration for dependence while he’s away, and a simultaneous solar storm knocks out communication and airplanes.
- 1/13/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Exclusive: Melody [pictured] piques buyer interest after Montreal wins.
Doc & Film has scored sales on Belgian director Bernard Bellefroid’s surrogate mother drama Melody following an award-winning premiere at the Montreal Film Festival earlier this month.
The tale of a mother-daughter relationship that blooms between an older woman and the younger surrogate mother of her unborn child has sold to Canada (Axia Films), Taiwan (Cineplex) and Benelux (Cineart).
Co-stars Rachel Blake and Lucie Debay shared the best actress prize at Montreal where the film played in competition and also picked up a special mention from the ecumenical jury.
Paris-based Doc & Film have also sealed new deals on Frederick Wiseman’s National Gallery which screened in the Tiff Docs section.
In Toronto, it has sold to Switzerland (Xenix), Spain (Surtsey) and Benelux (Cineart).
The film is due to be released in the Us by Zipporah Films on Nov 5 after a premiere at New York’s Film Forum theatre.
Cannes...
Doc & Film has scored sales on Belgian director Bernard Bellefroid’s surrogate mother drama Melody following an award-winning premiere at the Montreal Film Festival earlier this month.
The tale of a mother-daughter relationship that blooms between an older woman and the younger surrogate mother of her unborn child has sold to Canada (Axia Films), Taiwan (Cineplex) and Benelux (Cineart).
Co-stars Rachel Blake and Lucie Debay shared the best actress prize at Montreal where the film played in competition and also picked up a special mention from the ecumenical jury.
Paris-based Doc & Film have also sealed new deals on Frederick Wiseman’s National Gallery which screened in the Tiff Docs section.
In Toronto, it has sold to Switzerland (Xenix), Spain (Surtsey) and Benelux (Cineart).
The film is due to be released in the Us by Zipporah Films on Nov 5 after a premiere at New York’s Film Forum theatre.
Cannes...
- 9/9/2014
- ScreenDaily
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