06/10/2006

One week before both the official opening of the festival and the film’s Belgian release, the Ghent Film Festival is opening its Previews section, which hosts national and international premieres, including the much-awaited new feature by Hans Herbots, Storm Force 10. The film will have a preview screening this evening, attended by its entire cast and the 40th squadron of the Belgian army.

First and foremost an action film, Storm Force 10 is an adaptation of the very popular 1990s Flemish television series Windkracht 10. The series story is based on a group of rescuers from the Belgian air force, the 40th Sea King squadron (from the name of the helicopters it uses), who specialise in sea rescues and are based in Coxyde.

With a new storyline, the adventures of a diver in the squadron, producers Erwin Provoost and Hilde De Laere at MMG (The Alzheimer Case [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) did not skimp on money.

Co-produced with the VRT and backed by the VAF, the film’s budget is one of Belgium’s largest at €4.5m. At the helm of this action film that could compete with US blockbusters is talented director Herbots, behind another very popular series, Flikken and already known at the cinema with Falling (2001). Herbots proved last year that he could compete on the big screen with The Long Weekend, a big theatrical success.

The cast stars some fine Flemish actors, including young actor Kevin Janssens, who plays the leading role and has just made a very popular series for teenagers called Spring. He stars alongside another young and up-and-coming talent, Veerle Baetens, who has featured in some recent successful Belgian films, notably the two latest films by Hilde Van Mieghem, De Kus (lit. “The Kiss”) and Dennis van Rita [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. She also appeared in The Long Weekend, alongside Koen De Bouw, who also stars in Storm Force.

The film is being distributed by Kinepolis Film Distribution.

(Translated from French)