25/11/2009

Between two tidal waves of blockbusters, and before the deluge of Christmas films, Belgian theatres this week welcome various productions offering different perspectives.

First on the line-up is Andrea Arnold’s highly subtle Fish Tank [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrea Arnold
film profile], which was joint winner of the Jury Prize at the latest Cannes Film Festival. It is being released by Cinéart on eight screens.

Les Films de l’Elysée is also making the most of this slot to release Christophe Honoré’s latest film, Making Plans For Lena [+see also:
trailer
film profile], on a limited two-print run.

However, things are busiest on the Belgian front, with the release of three local productions and co-productions. Imagine Film Distribution is launching, on one screen in Flanders, Johan Gimonprez’s curious experimental film Double Take (co-produced by Belgium, Germany and Holland), a variation on the figure of Hitchcock intertwined with the history of the Cold War.

Imagine is going to greater lengths for the release of captivating Altiplano [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. This is the second feature by Belgian-US couple Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, who attracted attention with Khadak [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jessica Woodworth
interview: Jessica Woodworth
film profile], winner of the Lion of the Future Award at Venice.

Co-produced by Belgium’s BoFilms and Entre Chien et Loup, Germany’s Ma.Ja.De Fiction and Holland’s Lemming Films, Altiplano, shown in the latest Cannes Critics’ Week, looks set to draw demanding audiences looking for a strong aesthetic impact.

Finally, this week also sees the release of Micha Wald’s second feature Simon Konianski [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Micha Wald, director of Sim…
film profile]. As its full French title, Les Folles Aventures de Simon Konianski (“The Crazy Adventures of Simon Konianski”) suggests, the film is a unique variation on the social comedy, plunging viewers into the heart of a Brussels Jewish family, who are necessarily dysfunctional and colourful. Deserving of a special mention is the performance by Popeck, who is funny and moving as the rebellious patriarch.

Produced by Versus Productions (and co-produced by France’s Haut et Court and Canada’s Forum Films), this is the first film to be distributed by O’Brother, the company founded by the Bonckart brothers (who also head Versus). It is being released on seven screens in Brussels and Wallonia.

(Translated from French)