24/05/2006

Dikkenek, a somewhat odd Belgian adventure soon to be released on French screens, was presented yesterday evening at a market screening for exhibitors.

The director of several highly acclaimed shorts (Snuff Movie, Parabellum, Kéo) before making Dikkenek, Oliver Van HoofstadLuc Besson, to whom he proposed his extravagant and absurd debut feature, a 100% Belgian comedy with crazy Belgians parading on screen in a series of exchanges and gags each cornier than the next.

Besson – to whom the director succeeded in selling the project thanks to his know-how – and his company EuropaCorp thus provided the bulk of the budget (without interfering in the production of the film), but Dikkenek was also co-produced by van Hoofstad’s company, Seven, co-financed by RTL and Canal +, and received funds from Belgium’s Tax Shelter as well.

The word “dikkenek”, which in Flemish means "big neck" and therefore practically "big asshole", makes the film, which pokes fun at Belgian culture with its fatty chips, even more absurd. The film centres on JC, the hilarious Jean-Luc Couchard, who seduces his shy and romantic friend, the brilliant Dominique Pinon. The graceful Mélanie Laurent and a pricelessly comical Catherine Jacob make up the rest of Couchard’s explosive gang in this wholly Belgian film about eccentric friends who are excessively mocked but also saved by moments of grace.

Distributed in Belgium by Belga Film and in France by Europacorp, where it will be released on more than 200 screens on June 21, there are strong chances that the film will find more buyers.

(Translated from French)