02/12/2009

This week, seven co-productions, representing various aspects of European cinema, are hitting Belgian theatres.

First on the line-up is “French-style” blockbuster Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard [+see also:
trailer
film profile], helmed by Luc Besson and Europacorp. Arthur is back in the magic world of the Minimoys, confronted with the spiteful Maltazard.

While the first instalment (2006) took five years to make, the second took three years’ preparation, and the third is expected for release in 2010. Belga is releasing Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard on a generous 62-print run in both French and Flemish-speaking Belgium, which is quite unusual for a French film (the fact it is an English-language film is an important factor).

The other European titles are being released on more modest print-runs. Benelux Film Distribution is launching Komt een vrouw bij de dokter [+see also:
trailer
film profile], the directorial debut feature by Reinout Oerlemans, who previously worked as an actor and TV producer. The film was produced by Eyeworks Film & TV Drama.

Meanwhile, three French films will try to woo audiences. The best equipped for success is The Villain [+see also:
trailer
film profile], the new feature by outlandish Albert Dupontel, who stars in the title role alongside an unrecognisable Catherine Frot, and Belgian actor Bouli Lanners, whose popularity continues to increase in France. Cineart is launching the film on ten screens.

This week also marks the return to screens of François Favrat (after The Role of Her Life, starring Agnès Jaoui and Karine Viard). In Bitter Victory [+see also:
trailer
film profile], the director continues to explore the theme of “professional” couples who become dysfunctional as soon as emotions get in the way.

The line-up also includes Belgian director Patric Jean’s documentary Male Domination, produced by France’s Elzevir.

Finally, also hitting screens are two international co-productions: German director Christian Alvart’s German/US co-production Pandorum [+see also:
trailer
film profile], a variation on the enclosed-space genre (produced by Constantin Film, who were also behind the Resident Evil series, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer [+see also:
trailer
film profile], The Wave [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and Downfall [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bernd Eichinger
interview: Joachim Fest
interview: Oliver Hirschbiegel
film profile]); and Haim Tabakman’s French/Israeli co-production Eyes Wide Open [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which attracted a lot of attention in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in May.

(Translated from French)