27/02/2009

Walloon film will be proudly celebrated and showcased across the whole of French-speaking Belgium during the event Cinema Made in Wallonia (February 27-28), a true promotional offensive for the region’s film industry.

The True Story of Puss N’Boots, a loose adaptation of the story of the famous feline rogue by Pascal Hérold and Jérôme Deschamps, will be presented in avant-première in eight different cities. (Dreamworks also has plans for a project starring the Puss In Boots character from Shrek.)

The title is co-produced by France’s MK2 and Herold Family, Switzerland’s Saga Production and Belgium’s Nexus Factory. The latter also handled special effects and part of the set design.

Alongside these screenings, the main aim of Cinema Made in Wallonia is to awaken the patriotic spirit in French-speaking Belgians by highlighting the quality and diversity of the Walloon audiovisual industry. For even though Walloon films receive numerous international accolades, they suffer a lack of recognition at home.

Cinemagoers will thus be invited to discover what goes on behind the scenes, thanks to the open visits at "Wallywood", a cross between Silicon Valley and Hollywood Boulevard according to organisers. The event involves a tour of around ten Walloon studios, specialised in everything from sound and animation, to 3D and even wig-making.

Another activity set to draw the crowds is "Ca s’est tourné près de chez vous" (“It was filmed near you”), which will offer people the chance to discover difficult-to-access shooting locations, retracing the real-life settings for the defining moments of Belgian cinema, from Man Bites Dog to the recent The Children of Timpelbach [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Finally, prizes will be awarded to the best Walloon technicians at the "Wallon ce Héros" (“Walloon Heros”) evening, and the entire event will be sponsored by internationally-famed local star Marie Gillain.

(Translated from French)