A host of familiar names have received public backing for new films from the Film Selection Commission of the French community of Belgium.
The latest investments, which have been approved by the Minister of Culture and Audiovisual Affairs Fadila Laanan, were announced this week by promotional agency Wallonie Bruxelles Images.
Veteran auteur Marion Hänsel has received support for her new movie Tenderness, a road movie starting in Brussels and ending in the Alps. The Man’s Films production starring Olivier Gourmet, Maryline Canto, Sergi Lopez and Adrien Jolivet starts shooting in mid March.
Also being backed is Benoît Mariage (The Carriers Are Waiting) with his new football themed drama Akwaba. This is about a manager who brings a young African prodigy with him to Belgium. Benoit Poelvoorde and Marc Zinga will play the leads in this MG Productions production, due to shoot in the summer.
Sam Garbarski [pictured] (of Irina Palm notoriety) is putting together comedy My Friend Vijay. A multi-party coproduction, this is being made through Entre Chien et Loup (Belgium) - Samsa Films (Luxembourg), Pandora Filmproduktion (Germany) and Amérique Film Inc (Canada.) The cast is headed by Moritz Bleibtreu and Patricia Arquette.
Meanwhile, Stéphane Malandrin’s comedy Je suis mort mais j’ai des amis about rock musicians about to tour the west coast of the US will also receive support. Bouli Lanners, Wim Willaert and Lyes Salem are expected to play the leads.
Another film that has received backing is Anapurna, the second feature from Nabil Ben Yadir. Revered Flemish actor Jan Decleir is to play the lead, a respected inspector, who joins an extremist political party to continue his battle against crime and injustice after his retirement. The film, being made through Entre Chien et Loup, is due to shoot next year.
Micha Wald’s epic saga Antwerp, made through Versus Production and due to shoot next year, has also received backing.
Other films from prominent Belgian directors being made this year include Alleluia, the new feature from Fabrice Du Welz (The Ordeal, Vinyan). This is based on the “lonely hearts” killers who terrorised the US in the late 1940s. Lead players in this La Parti production will be Bouli Lanners and Jeanne Balibar. Theatrical release is expected in 2013.
The Strange Colour Of Your Body’s Tears, the new feature from Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, is due to shoot next month.
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