11/01/2013 - Dead Man Talking leads the field for nominations (8) ahead of Our Children, Mobile Home and 38 Witnesses

On Thursday, January 10, the Académie André Delvaux unveiled the nominations for the Magritte Awards which mainly distinguish members of the Francophone cinema industry in Belgium (those in the Flemish  sector chase Ensor awards). This year, 19 feature films competed for Best Film and Best Director. It has turned out to be a very open field, and while there was little doubt about Joachim Lafosse making it to the final podium, there has been scope for hopes and fears for all the rest. The final result: 38 Witnesses [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Lucas Belvaux, a blue-chip value, and two debut films : Mobile Home [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by François Pirot, and the chef's surprise, Dead Man Talking [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Patrick Ridremont. The latter's presence in the final foursome (which is the same for the directors) is something of a surprise because, as clichés take a long time to die, few would have bet on the nomination of Patrick Ridremont, whose TV label has yet to fade.

Even more so, as his presence highlights the absence of other weighty prize-winners such as Almayer's Folly [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Chantal Akerman, and two other debut films that left their mark, one for its radicalism (L’Envahisseur [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile] by Nicolas Provost), the other for its warm reception by audiences (Miles from Anywhere [+see also:
trailer
interview: Pierre Duculot
film profile] by Pierre Duculot). All these films are, however, nominated in other categories. Dead Man Talking in fact tops the bill with 8 nominations, ahead of Our Children [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Joachim Lafosse
film profile], Mobile Home and 38 Witnesses (7 nominations each), and Almayer's Folly and The Minister [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pierre Schoeller
film profile] (4 nominations).

As far as performances are concerned, it's worth noting among the actresses the nomination of Christelle Cornil in Miles from Anywhere, along with a bevy of "great" names (the eagerly awaited Emilie Dequenne for Our Children, as well as Déborah François, Marie Gillain). The actors include four Magritte regulars: Mathias Schoenaerts (Best Actor in 2012), Jérémie Rénier (Best Supporting Actor in 2012), Olivier Gourmet and Benoît Poelvoorde. Four films are in the running for the Magritte for the Best Co-production: alongside When Pigs have Wings by Sylvain Estibal (co-produced by Saga), three films co-produced by Les Films du Fleuve : The Minister, Rust and Bone [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jacques Audiard
interview: Jacques Audiard
film profile], The Angels' Share [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ken Loach
film profile].

Click here to see the list of nominations.

(Translated from French)