Former Cannes competitors hit Belgian screens

by Aurore Engelen

12/11/2008 - After the release of Eldorado [trailer] in June and Lorna’s Silence [trailer, film focus] and Rumba [trailer, film focus] this autumn, two new Belgian co-productions – which were presented at Cannes – are hitting Belgian screens this week, ahead of the January launch of Joachim Lafosse’s Private Lessons [trailer, film focus].

Swiss director Ursula Meier’s Home [trailer, film focus] enjoyed resounding success among audiences in Switzerland (with over 30,000 admissions, the film could well become the Swiss box office hit of the year) and has got off to a good start in France. With its heavyweight but popular cast, the film has received an enthusiastic response from the press, who hail the birth of a young filmmaker.

Everything augurs well for Home [trailer, film focus]’s success in Belgium. The film attracted attention in Cannes Critics’ Week in May, where it made a strong impression on festival-goers. Benelux Film Distributors are releasing Home on eight screens, for the most part in Wallonia.

Claire Simon’s God’s Offices [trailer] is also hitting screens. Produced by France’s Les Films d’Ici and Ciné@, and co-produced by Belgium’s La Parti Production, the film – which screened in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight – is being launched on seven screens.

Last, but certainly not least, Steve McQueen’s Hunger [trailer, film focus] is the third Cannes sensation to be released this week. Co-produced by the UK and Ireland, the film scooped the Camera d’Or on the Croisette.

Hunger boldly explores the fatal hunger strike of Bobby Sands, who protested about the detention conditions of IRA militants in UK prisons. Paradiso Filmed Entertainment are releasing the title on seven screens, one of which is in Wallonia.

Finally, this week’s French releases will lighten things up with three quirky comedies. Pascal Thomas plunges viewers into the outdated world of Agatha Christie with his playful adaptation Le Crime est notre affaire [trailer] (“Crime is Our Business”).

Marylou Berri looks set to take over from her mother, Josiane Balasko, as the queen of French comedy, judging by her performance in Vilaine [trailer] (“Nasty”) by Jean-Patric Benes and Allan Mauduit. Meanwhile, Didier Bourdon makes light of death in Michel Delgado’s Bouquet Final [trailer].

(Translated from French)