05/11/2008

Erik Van Looy has finally met his match, as 007 fever sweeps through Belgium this week. Released by Sony Pictures, Quantum of Solace [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile] hits screens accompanied by its press and publicity machine.

This is a US-style promotional campaign, but the production is nonetheless partly European. The film is co-produced by two UK companies who have specialist knowledge of the famous agent and her Majesty’s secret service, for they have worked with the spy since his debut: Eon Productions co-produced Dr. No (1962) and Danjaq produced Goldfinger (1964).

With its 55-print run, will Bond be able to steal Loft [+see also:
trailer
film profile]’s number 1 spot? Seemingly unperturbed by the Bond offensive, Loft continues to take the Belgian box office by storm. Having attracted over 300,000 viewers in 10 days, the film is riding the crest of success.

This weekend, the title once again accounted for over half the admissions in Flanders. Loft seems well-placed to become the best-performing Belgian film of all time by the end of its theatrical run, thus outstripping Stijn Coninx’s three comedies (Koko Flanel, Hector and Priest Daens), which still occupy the top three places. Meanwhile, the Dutch-speaking press are wondering why Loft hasn’t yet been launched in Wallonian theatres.

This week’s two French releases will have a difficult time competing for audiences alongside these two blockbusters. First up is Pierre Jolivet’s La Très Très Grande Entreprise [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (“The Very Very Big Business”), which features star Marie Gillain – a favourite among Belgian viewers – and a burning subject matter: the polluting activities of large companies. The film is being released by Alternative Films on four screens.

Meanwhile, Cinéart are launching Pascal Laugier’s dramatic Martyrs [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] on nine screens. The film made the headlines a few weeks ago, when the French film classification committee decided to give the title an 18 certificate, which was then withdrawn.

(Translated from French)