14/09/2010

As expected, The Misfortunates [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Felix van Groeningen
film profile] swept up at the Flanders Film Awards ceremony on September 10.

Very magnanimously, Felix Van Groeningen’s film contented itself with five prizes, even though it was nominated in seven categories. Besides the highly predictable Best Film Award, The Misfortunates also earned Best Screenplay for Christophe Dirickx, Van Groeningen and Dimitri Verhulst (author of the eponymous novel on which the film is based).

The film’s cast, who are largely responsible for its success and impact, were also richly rewarded. Flemish star of the moment Koen De Graeve picked up Best Actor for his strong performance as the young hero’s father. Meanwhile, Best Male Newcomer went to Kenneth Vanbaeden, who plays the young protagonist. The testosterone-heavy cast also earned Best Supporting Actor for Wouter Hendrickx.

There are three remaining prizes. In the actress categories, Best Actress was shared by Kimke Desart for her role in Caroline Strubbe’s Lost Persons Area [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], and Franziska Jaeger for My Queen Karo [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. Meanwhile, Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Ina Geerts for Hans Herbots’s Bo.

In the end, the real surprise is perhaps the award that slipped through the fingers of The Misfortunates, Best Director, which went to Caroline Strubbe for her debut feature, Lost Persons Area (selected in Cannes Critics’ Week 2009).

The Flanders Film Awards were presented for the first time last Friday at the Ostend Film Festival. They replace the former Joseph Plateau Awards, which honoured the year’s best contributions to Belgian cinema. Meanwhile, the Belgian Francophone Film Awards are expected to be held at the start of 2011.

(Translated from French)