Close.Heavy-handed and voyeuristic, Lukas Dhont’s first film, Girl (2018), deserved its share of backlash. Following the travails of a teenage transgender ballet dancer—played by cis-male actor Victor Polster, one of many controversial choices—Girl approaches its heroine with apparent empathy, but ultimately conflates trans identity with relentless physical and psychological carnage. “What could have been a thoughtful exploration of a difficult part of a trans girl’s daily life,” writes Hollywood Reporter critic Oliver Whitney, “instead uses her body as a site of trauma, inviting the audience to react with disgust.” Hyperbolizing the challenges of gender transition, a process that is by definition already dramatic, Girl exposes the dangers of representation from a vantage of ignorance. The film climaxes with a scene of self-castration via scissors—an unlikely act, not to mention a heedlessly cruel one. Five years later, Dhont’s second feature, Close (2022), averts these issues, in...
- 5/22/2023
- MUBI
Belgium’s Oscar© 2023 Submission for Best International Feature: ‘Close’ by Lukas DhontTipped for a top spot on the Oscar Nominated Best International Feature, ‘Close’, the second feature directed by the young Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont brings the innocence of youth into a confrontation with uneasy societal agreements about what is and what is not acceptable. Young boys are especially sensitive to their peers’ opinions and these two boys, friends forever, are suddenly put into a situation demanding a sense of oneself that they are still too young to have developed fully. When it premiered in Competition at Cannes, it received a 12-minute standing ovation, and shared the festival’s Grand Prix with Claire Denis’ ‘Stars At Noon’.
The intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys suddenly gets disrupted. Close stars Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele as two thirteen year old boys, Léo and Rémi, whose tender friendship is tragically broken. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi’s mother. The delicacy with which the two young actors are handled speaks highly of the director Lucas Dhont.
The fragile bud of sexual awakening is a suject explored as well in his previous film, his 2018 debut, about a young transgender dancer. Girl was also handled with such gentle honesty that the subject to reveals itself to our eyes without destroying its integrity. Girl went on to win the Cannes Camera d’Or in Un Certain Regard in 2018. It also won Cannes’ Fipresci Prize and Un Certain Regard’s Best Actor award for Victor Polster as well as the Queer Palm.
Dhont is quoted as saying, “There are definitely echoes of Girl in Close, recurring themes, especially the violence involved in conforming to a certain norm, not being able to be oneself, being subjected to a certain vision of masculinity, and not being able to assert our fragility…I also wanted to talk about brutality. How it can wipe out such fragile, tender things, both in the world but also inside of us; how we cut flowers, how colours disappear, inside of us.” (Cineuropa.org)
Tangential to this blog, but relevent to the 2023 Oscar contenders, this dancer, in Girl, a female, could easily have been the male ballet dancer we meet in the Norwegian Oscar contender War Sailor. I will write more about that other tipped for the top film, but here I want to point out that both ballet dancers are confronted with the ignorance of others and are handled by their respective directors in a fashion that gives us a feeling of completion and satisfaction.
The screenplays for both were cowritten with Angelo Tijssens. “The film says a lot, but in few words; it’s more about gestures, looks and silences.
I find it’s a really complicated thing, writing dialogue! We try just as hard to convey what the character wants to say as what the viewer needs to understand. As a teen, I was pretty good at mime! I copied others’ movements and behaviours. I get a lot of inspiration from dance and the work of choreographers and dancers, who manage to express their emotions through their bodies and their movements. I decided very quickly that this was the language I wanted to use to launch myself into film: body language. Before wanting to become a director, I wanted to be a dancer. I feel like I’m trying to make some of this dancing dream come true through my cinematic language. Expressing what I want to express, without words.” (Cineuropa.org)
The Match Factory previously handled Girl as well as the film Close. During Cannes this year of Close, The Match Factory sold over 100 territories to Close, including North America to A24; Australia/ Nz to Madman; Baltics-a-One; Benelux-Lumiere; Czech Republic and Slovakia-Artcam; Ex-Yugo-mcf; France-Diaphana, Germany and Austria-Pandora; Greece-Ama; Israel-Lev; Italy-Lucky Red and Bim; Netherlands-Cassestte for theatrical, Vedette for TV; Poland-New Horizons; Romania-Bad Unicorn; Scandinavia-Future; So. Korea-Challan; Spain-Vertigo; Switzerland-Filmcoopi; Taiwan-Filmware; Thailand-Sahamangkolfilm; Turkey, UK, Ireland, Latam, Turkey, India-mubi.
Producers are Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens for Menuet and co-producers are France’s Diaphana who is also the French distributor, the Netherlands’ Topkapi Films and Belgium’s Versus Productions.
The intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys suddenly gets disrupted. Close stars Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele as two thirteen year old boys, Léo and Rémi, whose tender friendship is tragically broken. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi’s mother. The delicacy with which the two young actors are handled speaks highly of the director Lucas Dhont.
The fragile bud of sexual awakening is a suject explored as well in his previous film, his 2018 debut, about a young transgender dancer. Girl was also handled with such gentle honesty that the subject to reveals itself to our eyes without destroying its integrity. Girl went on to win the Cannes Camera d’Or in Un Certain Regard in 2018. It also won Cannes’ Fipresci Prize and Un Certain Regard’s Best Actor award for Victor Polster as well as the Queer Palm.
Dhont is quoted as saying, “There are definitely echoes of Girl in Close, recurring themes, especially the violence involved in conforming to a certain norm, not being able to be oneself, being subjected to a certain vision of masculinity, and not being able to assert our fragility…I also wanted to talk about brutality. How it can wipe out such fragile, tender things, both in the world but also inside of us; how we cut flowers, how colours disappear, inside of us.” (Cineuropa.org)
Tangential to this blog, but relevent to the 2023 Oscar contenders, this dancer, in Girl, a female, could easily have been the male ballet dancer we meet in the Norwegian Oscar contender War Sailor. I will write more about that other tipped for the top film, but here I want to point out that both ballet dancers are confronted with the ignorance of others and are handled by their respective directors in a fashion that gives us a feeling of completion and satisfaction.
The screenplays for both were cowritten with Angelo Tijssens. “The film says a lot, but in few words; it’s more about gestures, looks and silences.
I find it’s a really complicated thing, writing dialogue! We try just as hard to convey what the character wants to say as what the viewer needs to understand. As a teen, I was pretty good at mime! I copied others’ movements and behaviours. I get a lot of inspiration from dance and the work of choreographers and dancers, who manage to express their emotions through their bodies and their movements. I decided very quickly that this was the language I wanted to use to launch myself into film: body language. Before wanting to become a director, I wanted to be a dancer. I feel like I’m trying to make some of this dancing dream come true through my cinematic language. Expressing what I want to express, without words.” (Cineuropa.org)
The Match Factory previously handled Girl as well as the film Close. During Cannes this year of Close, The Match Factory sold over 100 territories to Close, including North America to A24; Australia/ Nz to Madman; Baltics-a-One; Benelux-Lumiere; Czech Republic and Slovakia-Artcam; Ex-Yugo-mcf; France-Diaphana, Germany and Austria-Pandora; Greece-Ama; Israel-Lev; Italy-Lucky Red and Bim; Netherlands-Cassestte for theatrical, Vedette for TV; Poland-New Horizons; Romania-Bad Unicorn; Scandinavia-Future; So. Korea-Challan; Spain-Vertigo; Switzerland-Filmcoopi; Taiwan-Filmware; Thailand-Sahamangkolfilm; Turkey, UK, Ireland, Latam, Turkey, India-mubi.
Producers are Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens for Menuet and co-producers are France’s Diaphana who is also the French distributor, the Netherlands’ Topkapi Films and Belgium’s Versus Productions.
- 12/18/2022
- by Sydney
- Sydney's Buzz
Click here to read the full article.
Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, which explores the fragile world of childhood bonds in his second feature, has been chosen by Belgium as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The drama, starring Eden Dambrine and Gustave De Waele, won the Grand Prix trophy at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was one of the highest profile films in competition. Close sees main characters Léo and Rémi as 13-year-old best friends with a seemingly unbreakable bond that suddenly and tragically breaks apart.
Close is the follow-up for Dhont to Girl, which won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature in Cannes in 2018. That film portrayed a young trans woman who wants to dance on pointe with the other girls. Girl won another three Cannes trophies that year — the Fipresci film critics honor, the Un Certain Regard best performance trophy for lead Victor Polster,...
Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s Close, which explores the fragile world of childhood bonds in his second feature, has been chosen by Belgium as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The drama, starring Eden Dambrine and Gustave De Waele, won the Grand Prix trophy at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was one of the highest profile films in competition. Close sees main characters Léo and Rémi as 13-year-old best friends with a seemingly unbreakable bond that suddenly and tragically breaks apart.
Close is the follow-up for Dhont to Girl, which won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature in Cannes in 2018. That film portrayed a young trans woman who wants to dance on pointe with the other girls. Girl won another three Cannes trophies that year — the Fipresci film critics honor, the Un Certain Regard best performance trophy for lead Victor Polster,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Notebook is covering the Cannes Film Festival with an ongoing correspondence between critics Leonardo Goi and Lawrence Garcia, and editor Daniel Kasman.Pacifiction.Dear Leo and Danny,In my first correspondence, I wrote that the Competition got off to a slow start, and, well, maybe it never really did find its footing. Most critics, myself included, seemed to agree that the festival was on the whole an unmemorable one, especially in comparison to the strong 2021 edition, which no doubt benefited from a spate of pre-pandemic holdovers. There are of course exceptions. Jerzy Skolimowski’s Eo was a genuine UFO, delivering images and sensations that I’d never quite seen or experienced, while Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castiang-Taylor’s De Humani Corporis Fabrica (The Fabric of the Human Body) played something like a journey to inner space to match the Discovery’s journey to outer space in 2001: Space Odyssey, even...
- 6/1/2022
- MUBI
Grand Prix winner scores sales around the world.
The Match Factory has closed deals in around 100 territories for Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s drama Close, which won a grand prix at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday (May 28).
In Europe, the feature has sold to Germany and Austria (Pandora), Baltics (A-One), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Artcam), Ex-Yugoslavia (McF), Greece (Ama Films), Poland (New Horizons), Romania (Bad Unicorn), Scandinavia (Future Films) and Switzerland (Filmcoopi).
In Asia and the rest of the world, it has sold to South Korea (Challan), Taiwan (Filmware), Thailand (Sahamongkolfilm), and Australia and New Zealand (Madman).
Previously announced...
The Match Factory has closed deals in around 100 territories for Belgian director Lukas Dhont’s drama Close, which won a grand prix at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday (May 28).
In Europe, the feature has sold to Germany and Austria (Pandora), Baltics (A-One), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Artcam), Ex-Yugoslavia (McF), Greece (Ama Films), Poland (New Horizons), Romania (Bad Unicorn), Scandinavia (Future Films) and Switzerland (Filmcoopi).
In Asia and the rest of the world, it has sold to South Korea (Challan), Taiwan (Filmware), Thailand (Sahamongkolfilm), and Australia and New Zealand (Madman).
Previously announced...
- 5/30/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Having won the Camera d’Or for best debut feature in Cannes in 2018 for Girl, the story of a young trans woman who wants to dance on pointe with the other girls, director Lukas Dhont returns to the Croisette with competition entrant Close. This heart-crushing but emotionally rich story was described simply in advance publicity and loglines as a film about adolescent friendship and responsibility, revolving around two 13-year-old boy besties (Gustave De Waele and Eden Dambrine) whose intense bond is tested when they start secondary school.
However, as audiences at Cannes discovered with shock, Dhont’s layered, exquisitely shot work, which covers a whole year of changing seasons, is about so much more: betrayal, shame, denial, love and eventually healing and growth. Given the capricious unpredictability of juries, it may come away with nothing in Cannes but it will definitely be a serious contender at festivals and awards ceremonies...
However, as audiences at Cannes discovered with shock, Dhont’s layered, exquisitely shot work, which covers a whole year of changing seasons, is about so much more: betrayal, shame, denial, love and eventually healing and growth. Given the capricious unpredictability of juries, it may come away with nothing in Cannes but it will definitely be a serious contender at festivals and awards ceremonies...
- 5/26/2022
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lukas Dhont’s film screens in competiton at the Cannes festival.
A24 has acquired North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s Close, which gets its world premiere today (May 26) in competition at the Cannes festival.
Directed by Dhont from a screenplay he wrote with Angelo Tijssens, the drama about a friendship between two 13-year-old boys stars newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele. Also in the cast are Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker, Kevin Janssens, Marc Weiss, Igor Van Dessel, and Léon Bataille.
Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens produced the film for Menuet and Diaphana, and Topkapi Films and Versus Productions were co-producers.
A24 has acquired North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s Close, which gets its world premiere today (May 26) in competition at the Cannes festival.
Directed by Dhont from a screenplay he wrote with Angelo Tijssens, the drama about a friendship between two 13-year-old boys stars newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele. Also in the cast are Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker, Kevin Janssens, Marc Weiss, Igor Van Dessel, and Léon Bataille.
Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens produced the film for Menuet and Diaphana, and Topkapi Films and Versus Productions were co-producers.
- 5/26/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
A24 has picked up North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s Close.
The movie is making its world premiere tonight in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Close follows the intense friendship between 13-year-old boys Léo and Remi, which suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie (Émilie Dequenne), Rémi’s mother. Léa Drucker and Kevin Janssens, Marc Weiss, Igor Van Dessel, and Léon Bataille also star.
Dhont directed from a screenplay he wrote with Angelo Tijssens. Close was produced by Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens for Menuet and co-produced by Diaphana, Topkapi Films and Versus Productions.
Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Competition Drama ‘Close’ Sells To Mubi For UK/Ire, LatAm, Turkey & India
Dhont’s debut film Girl won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018. The film also won the festival’s Queer Palm, Fipresci Prize and Un Certain...
The movie is making its world premiere tonight in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Close follows the intense friendship between 13-year-old boys Léo and Remi, which suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie (Émilie Dequenne), Rémi’s mother. Léa Drucker and Kevin Janssens, Marc Weiss, Igor Van Dessel, and Léon Bataille also star.
Dhont directed from a screenplay he wrote with Angelo Tijssens. Close was produced by Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens for Menuet and co-produced by Diaphana, Topkapi Films and Versus Productions.
Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Competition Drama ‘Close’ Sells To Mubi For UK/Ire, LatAm, Turkey & India
Dhont’s debut film Girl won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018. The film also won the festival’s Queer Palm, Fipresci Prize and Un Certain...
- 5/26/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Global streamer and distributor Mubi has struck again, this time snapping up select markets for Lukas Dhont’s keenly anticipated “Close.”
Mubi has acquired the U.K., Ireland, Latin America, Turkey and India for the Cannes competition title, which will have its world premiere on Thursday at the festival.
The film stars Lea Drucker, Émilie Dequenne, Kevin Janssens and newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele. “Close” will be released theatrically followed by an exclusive Mubi streaming release.
“Girl,” Dhont’s debut feature film, won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018. The film also won the festivals’ Queer Palm, Fipresci Prize and Un Certain Regard best performance award for Victor Polster. “Girl” also received a Golden Globe nomination for best foreign language film and won prizes at San Sebastian, Zurich and best first feature film at the BFI London Film Festival.
The film is produced by Dirk Impens and...
Mubi has acquired the U.K., Ireland, Latin America, Turkey and India for the Cannes competition title, which will have its world premiere on Thursday at the festival.
The film stars Lea Drucker, Émilie Dequenne, Kevin Janssens and newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele. “Close” will be released theatrically followed by an exclusive Mubi streaming release.
“Girl,” Dhont’s debut feature film, won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018. The film also won the festivals’ Queer Palm, Fipresci Prize and Un Certain Regard best performance award for Victor Polster. “Girl” also received a Golden Globe nomination for best foreign language film and won prizes at San Sebastian, Zurich and best first feature film at the BFI London Film Festival.
The film is produced by Dirk Impens and...
- 5/26/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Mubi has acquired Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Competion entry Close for the UK, Ireland, Latin America, Turkey and India.
Starring Lea Drucker (Custody), Émilie Dequenne (Our Children), Kevin Janssens (Revenge) and newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele, the film will get its world premiere on the Riviera this week.
In Close, the intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi’s mother.
The film will be released theatrically followed by an exclusive Mubi streaming release. The Match Factory is handling international sales and negotiated the deal with Mubi, its parent company.
Pic is produced by Dirk Impens and Michiel Dhont for Menuet (Be) and co-produced by Diaphana (Fr), Topkapi Films (Nl) and Versus Productions (Be).
Dhont said: “I am incredibly honored to share this film and start this collaboration with Mubi.”
Girl, Dhont’s debut feature film,...
Starring Lea Drucker (Custody), Émilie Dequenne (Our Children), Kevin Janssens (Revenge) and newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele, the film will get its world premiere on the Riviera this week.
In Close, the intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi’s mother.
The film will be released theatrically followed by an exclusive Mubi streaming release. The Match Factory is handling international sales and negotiated the deal with Mubi, its parent company.
Pic is produced by Dirk Impens and Michiel Dhont for Menuet (Be) and co-produced by Diaphana (Fr), Topkapi Films (Nl) and Versus Productions (Be).
Dhont said: “I am incredibly honored to share this film and start this collaboration with Mubi.”
Girl, Dhont’s debut feature film,...
- 5/26/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Belgian director Lukas Dhont is in rare company. His 2018 Un Certain Regard debut, “Girl,” won the Caméra d’Or and three more Cannes prizes, besting the number of first-time feature wins from the likes of Steven Soderbergh and Steve McQueen. And while his rise has come with some controversy, he earned a place in competition with the May 26 Lumière gala premiere of his sophomore effort, “Close.”
The story of two 13-year-old boys whose powerful friendship ends when their relationship comes under scrutiny “started from a very personal place,” says the out director, who penned the script with “Girl” co-writer Angelo Tijssens. “Growing up, I had a lot of male friends between [ages] 13 and 18 that I lost because of who I am. Because I was so scared of intimacy with another boy, who I was and the label of the sexuality [I had], I started to fear some friendships and let some go . . . In a way,...
The story of two 13-year-old boys whose powerful friendship ends when their relationship comes under scrutiny “started from a very personal place,” says the out director, who penned the script with “Girl” co-writer Angelo Tijssens. “Growing up, I had a lot of male friends between [ages] 13 and 18 that I lost because of who I am. Because I was so scared of intimacy with another boy, who I was and the label of the sexuality [I had], I started to fear some friendships and let some go . . . In a way,...
- 5/25/2022
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: On the eve of the Cannes Film Festival, Competition title Close has sold to Lucky Red for Italy, Vertigo Films for Spain and Lev Cinemas for Israel.
The Match Factory is handling sales on Lukas Dhont’s second feature, about how an intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys is unexpectedly disrupted.
Pic is produced by Dirk Impens and Michiel Dhont for Menuet (Be) and co-produced by Diaphana (Fr), Topkapi Films (Nl) and Versus Productions (Be). Diaphana will release in France.
Cast includes newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele as well as established European actors Lea Drucker, Emilie Duquenne and Kevin Janssens.
Dhont’s debut Girl, the transgender dancer drama, won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018. The film also won the festivals’ Queer Palm, Fipresci Prize and Un Certain Regard Best Actor award for Victor Polster before securing a Golden Globe nomination and prizes at San Sebastian and Zurich.
The Match Factory is handling sales on Lukas Dhont’s second feature, about how an intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys is unexpectedly disrupted.
Pic is produced by Dirk Impens and Michiel Dhont for Menuet (Be) and co-produced by Diaphana (Fr), Topkapi Films (Nl) and Versus Productions (Be). Diaphana will release in France.
Cast includes newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele as well as established European actors Lea Drucker, Emilie Duquenne and Kevin Janssens.
Dhont’s debut Girl, the transgender dancer drama, won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2018. The film also won the festivals’ Queer Palm, Fipresci Prize and Un Certain Regard Best Actor award for Victor Polster before securing a Golden Globe nomination and prizes at San Sebastian and Zurich.
- 5/16/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Six years on, the legacy of Connext can be seen at festival awards ceremonies and in international theatrical and TV deals.
Cannes prizes, international festival plaudits and a social media thumbs up from Ricky Gervais are among the profile -raising moments enjoyed by projects that have participated in Connext, the annual film and TV showcase run by Flanders Image in Belgium.
The event serves as an export platform for film and TV drama made in Flanders and Brussels and has been mounted virtually under the banner Re>Connext for the last two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being forced online and virtual,...
Cannes prizes, international festival plaudits and a social media thumbs up from Ricky Gervais are among the profile -raising moments enjoyed by projects that have participated in Connext, the annual film and TV showcase run by Flanders Image in Belgium.
The event serves as an export platform for film and TV drama made in Flanders and Brussels and has been mounted virtually under the banner Re>Connext for the last two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being forced online and virtual,...
- 10/4/2021
- by Stuart Kemp
- ScreenDaily
Six years on, the legacy of Connext can be seen at festival awards ceremonies and in international theatrical and TV deals.
Cannes prizes, international festival plaudits and a social media thumbs up from Ricky Gervais are among the profile -raising moments enjoyed by projects that have participated in Connext, the annual film and TV showcase run by Flanders Image in Belgium.
The event serves as an export platform for film and TV drama made in Flanders and Brussels and has been mounted virtually under the banner Re>Connext for the last two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being forced online and virtual,...
Cannes prizes, international festival plaudits and a social media thumbs up from Ricky Gervais are among the profile -raising moments enjoyed by projects that have participated in Connext, the annual film and TV showcase run by Flanders Image in Belgium.
The event serves as an export platform for film and TV drama made in Flanders and Brussels and has been mounted virtually under the banner Re>Connext for the last two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite being forced online and virtual,...
- 10/4/2021
- by Stuart Kemp
- ScreenDaily
Teenage drama marks the follow-up to Cannes award-winner ‘Girl’.
Leading German sales company The Match Factory has acquired international rights to Close, the anticipated second feature from Cannes award-winner Lukas Dhont.
The Match Factory previously handled the Belgian filmmaker’s acclaimed debut, transgender dancer drama Girl, which won the Camera d’Or following its premiere in Un Certain Regard at Cannes in 2018.
Girl also won Cannes’ Queer Palm, Fipresci prize and Un Certain Regard best actor award for Victor Polster before securing a Golden Globe nomination and further festival prizes at San Sebastian and Zurich.
For his second feature, Dhont...
Leading German sales company The Match Factory has acquired international rights to Close, the anticipated second feature from Cannes award-winner Lukas Dhont.
The Match Factory previously handled the Belgian filmmaker’s acclaimed debut, transgender dancer drama Girl, which won the Camera d’Or following its premiere in Un Certain Regard at Cannes in 2018.
Girl also won Cannes’ Queer Palm, Fipresci prize and Un Certain Regard best actor award for Victor Polster before securing a Golden Globe nomination and further festival prizes at San Sebastian and Zurich.
For his second feature, Dhont...
- 10/20/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
This time last year, Netflix estimated that it would release 90 original movies in 2019. At the time, the number seemed outrageous: That’s more than four times the number Warner Bros. made in the same 12-month period — and more than any human would ever care to watch. Guess what: Turns out that 90 was a conservative estimate, as Netflix unloaded nearly that many original features and series (one estimate pegged the number at 73) last month alone.
Overwhelmed? Netflix employees refer to all those movies as “content,” but to quote “The Irishman” director Martin Scorsese, “But that’s not cinema.” Scorsese was dismissing Marvel movies when he said that — albeit with his face pressed to the window of his shiny new glass house. Cinema, it would seem, isn’t something one sees in the cinema anymore, and no one’s doing more to expand that experience than Netflix, including buying up a few...
Overwhelmed? Netflix employees refer to all those movies as “content,” but to quote “The Irishman” director Martin Scorsese, “But that’s not cinema.” Scorsese was dismissing Marvel movies when he said that — albeit with his face pressed to the window of his shiny new glass house. Cinema, it would seem, isn’t something one sees in the cinema anymore, and no one’s doing more to expand that experience than Netflix, including buying up a few...
- 12/14/2019
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
The first feature film by young Flemish director Lukas Dhont claimed 8 out of the 9 awards for which it was nominated. It’s an important moment for young filmmaker Lukas Dhont who was crowned the champion of Flemish cinema this Saturday past, taking home no less than 8 Ensor awards for his first feature film Girl, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor - for the incredible Victor Polster -, Best Screenplay and Best Director of Photography. Considered a veritable prophet in his homeland, this young man has seen the trajectory of his film end in resounding triumph, following a rosy beginning in Cannes 2018. The film, which charts the inner journey of a young transgender girl who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina, scooped the prestigious Caméra d’or award in Cannes, where Victor Polster also bagged himself the prize for Best Performance in the Un Certain Regard sidebar of...
The interdimensional sci-fi Netflix series The Oa from Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij is, like many of their projects, unapologetic when it comes to having a complex narrative that would make your brain bleed. After the first season set up this wild world, the second season, which launched on the streaming giant on March 22, is a little more straight forward, but the series continues with its layered storytelling and, at one point, puts a trans character in its spotlight — and he is played by trans actor Ian Alexander. At 17 years old, Alexander identifies as trans and his place in the series is a quiet, yet groundbreaking feat when it comes to contributing to authentic casting and storytelling in television.
In The Oa, Marling plays Prairie Johnson, a woman who mysteriously returns after missing for seven years. Once blind, she now can see, has also has scars on her back and...
In The Oa, Marling plays Prairie Johnson, a woman who mysteriously returns after missing for seven years. Once blind, she now can see, has also has scars on her back and...
- 4/2/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Lukas Dhont’s controversial film about a trans teenager’s dream to dance is an engaging and sympathetic drama, with an excellent central performance
A performance infused with great stillness and energy from actor/dancer Victor Polster drives Belgian director/co-writer Lukas Dhont’s affecting if uneven coming-of-age tale. Nominated for best foreign language film at the Golden Globes after scooping several awards at Cannes (including the Camera d’Or and Queer Palm), the film has become the focus of controversy regarding both the central casting of a cisgender actor in a trans role, and the wider treatment of transgender issues. Yet, for me, Girl works best when viewed as a distant cousin of Billy Elliot, a tale of fluid teenage identity intertwined with the inflexible discipline of dance.
Having recently moved home with her father and younger brother, 15-year-old Lara (Polster) lands a provisional place at an elite ballet...
A performance infused with great stillness and energy from actor/dancer Victor Polster drives Belgian director/co-writer Lukas Dhont’s affecting if uneven coming-of-age tale. Nominated for best foreign language film at the Golden Globes after scooping several awards at Cannes (including the Camera d’Or and Queer Palm), the film has become the focus of controversy regarding both the central casting of a cisgender actor in a trans role, and the wider treatment of transgender issues. Yet, for me, Girl works best when viewed as a distant cousin of Billy Elliot, a tale of fluid teenage identity intertwined with the inflexible discipline of dance.
Having recently moved home with her father and younger brother, 15-year-old Lara (Polster) lands a provisional place at an elite ballet...
- 3/17/2019
- by Mark Kermode, Observer film critic
- The Guardian - Film News
Victor Polster is outstanding as a trans 15-year-old auditioning for ballet school in Lukas Dhont’s intense, emotional drama
‘I don’t want to be an ‘example’ – I want to be a girl.” These are the emotional words of Lara, a young trans woman who dreams of being a ballerina and is about to transition surgically, speaking to her dad who has well-meaningly congratulated Lara on her exemplary courage. Lara doesn’t want this representative burden. But she’s got it anyway. Perhaps the film itself, a feature debut from director and co-writer Lukas Dhont, has placed it on this fictional character’s slender shoulders.
She is transitioning at a uniquely difficult time. At 15, Lara is not just going through puberty but is also on probation at one of Belgium’s most prestigious ballet schools. If she does not do sufficiently well in classes, she can be asked to leave.
‘I don’t want to be an ‘example’ – I want to be a girl.” These are the emotional words of Lara, a young trans woman who dreams of being a ballerina and is about to transition surgically, speaking to her dad who has well-meaningly congratulated Lara on her exemplary courage. Lara doesn’t want this representative burden. But she’s got it anyway. Perhaps the film itself, a feature debut from director and co-writer Lukas Dhont, has placed it on this fictional character’s slender shoulders.
She is transitioning at a uniquely difficult time. At 15, Lara is not just going through puberty but is also on probation at one of Belgium’s most prestigious ballet schools. If she does not do sufficiently well in classes, she can be asked to leave.
- 3/13/2019
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
His film about a transitioning dancer was set for the big time – until it was called ‘the most dangerous movie about a trans character in years’. Does the director have any regrets?
Lukas Dhont slept through the Oscars. He was in bed with his boyfriend still recovering from the Césars, France’s answer to the Academy Awards, which had taken place a couple of nights earlier. Girl, his directing debut, had been up for a best foreign film César and there had been predictions that his story of a 15-year old trans girl training to be a ballet dancer and counting the days until gender-confirmation surgery, would be Oscar-nominated too. Which would have been a fairytale ending to a breakthrough year for the 27 year old from Belgium.
In May, Girl premiered to a standing ovation at the Cannes film festival, winning a prize for its 17-year-old male star Victor Polster...
Lukas Dhont slept through the Oscars. He was in bed with his boyfriend still recovering from the Césars, France’s answer to the Academy Awards, which had taken place a couple of nights earlier. Girl, his directing debut, had been up for a best foreign film César and there had been predictions that his story of a 15-year old trans girl training to be a ballet dancer and counting the days until gender-confirmation surgery, would be Oscar-nominated too. Which would have been a fairytale ending to a breakthrough year for the 27 year old from Belgium.
In May, Girl premiered to a standing ovation at the Cannes film festival, winning a prize for its 17-year-old male star Victor Polster...
- 3/12/2019
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
By March 1, the Oscars will be over, and we can finally stop pulling our hair over the fact that Rami Malek’s dentures beat out Ethan Hawke’s bottle of drain cleaner. When that day comes, Netflix will be able to offer an eclectic mix of reliably quality fare to cleanse our palates of what will surely go down in history as one of the oddest Oscar seasons ever. The streaming giant could also very well have earned its first Best Picture statue by then, but its users won’t be able to hear the champagne bottles popping over the hum of their preferred watching device.
Damien Chazelle’s finely crafted Neil Armstrong biopic “First Man” may have been snubbed in almost every major category, but audiences looking to revisit the original space tearjerker can countdown with “Apollo 13,” which hits Netflix at the beginning of the month. ’90s babies...
Damien Chazelle’s finely crafted Neil Armstrong biopic “First Man” may have been snubbed in almost every major category, but audiences looking to revisit the original space tearjerker can countdown with “Apollo 13,” which hits Netflix at the beginning of the month. ’90s babies...
- 2/21/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Francois Troukens' Above the Law, a shoot-'em-up thriller set among corrupt cops and nasty robbers in Brussels; and Lukas Dhont's transgender drama Girl, Belgium's official Oscar candidate this year, are the frontrunners for this year's Magritte Awards, the leading film prize for Franco-Belgian cinema.
Both Above the Law and Girl picked up nine nominations for the 2019 Magritte Awards, though Girl missed out in the best film and best director categories. Girl lead Victor Polster, however, picked up a best actor nomination for his performance as a transgender girl struggling to become a professional ballerina in Dhont's debut feature....
Both Above the Law and Girl picked up nine nominations for the 2019 Magritte Awards, though Girl missed out in the best film and best director categories. Girl lead Victor Polster, however, picked up a best actor nomination for his performance as a transgender girl struggling to become a professional ballerina in Dhont's debut feature....
- 1/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Francois Troukens' Above the Law, a shoot-'em-up thriller set among corrupt cops and nasty robbers in Brussels; and Lukas Dhont's transgender drama Girl, Belgium's official Oscar candidate this year, are the frontrunners for this year's Magritte Awards, the leading film prize for Franco-Belgian cinema.
Both Above the Law and Girl picked up nine nominations for the 2019 Magritte Awards, though Girl missed out in the best film and best director categories. Girl lead Victor Polster, however, picked up a best actor nomination for his performance as a transgender girl struggling to become a professional ballerina in Dhont's debut feature....
Both Above the Law and Girl picked up nine nominations for the 2019 Magritte Awards, though Girl missed out in the best film and best director categories. Girl lead Victor Polster, however, picked up a best actor nomination for his performance as a transgender girl struggling to become a professional ballerina in Dhont's debut feature....
- 1/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Girl Netflix Reviewed by: Harvey Karten Director: Lukas Dhont Screenwriter: Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens Cast: Victor Polster, Arieh Worthalter, Oliver Bodart, Tijmen Govaerts, Katelijne Damen, Valentijn Dhaenens Screened at: Park Ave., NYC, 10/17/18 Opens: January 18, 2019 European countries like Denmark are passing laws outlawing circumcision, but if you accept what you see in the […]
The post Girl Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Girl Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/13/2019
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Dec. 6 felt a bit like déjà-vu for one director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, whose German film “Never Look Away” landed just one of five berths in the Golden Globes foreign-language film category, along with fellow nominees “Shoplifters” (Japan), “Capernaum” (Lebanon), “Girl” (Belgium) and “Roma” (Mexico).
“We’re not even five hours from the announcement, and I’m getting emails and calls from all over the world,” he marvels. “A film can remain invisible without help like this from such a powerful organization. The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. gives it a voice.”
Von Donnersmarck knows what a Globe nomination in that category can mean for good reason: A dozen years ago, his film “The Lives of Others” also earned a Globe nomination, then went on to win the Academy Award for foreign-language film. But such nominations and wins tend to spotlight directors. Actors are relegated to the background — because barring the...
“We’re not even five hours from the announcement, and I’m getting emails and calls from all over the world,” he marvels. “A film can remain invisible without help like this from such a powerful organization. The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. gives it a voice.”
Von Donnersmarck knows what a Globe nomination in that category can mean for good reason: A dozen years ago, his film “The Lives of Others” also earned a Globe nomination, then went on to win the Academy Award for foreign-language film. But such nominations and wins tend to spotlight directors. Actors are relegated to the background — because barring the...
- 1/4/2019
- by Randee Dawn
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly all regional film critics groups (36 so far) have chimed in with picks for the best of 2018 cinema. So it’s time for a cross-section before the industry continues weighing in with guild announcements this week and next.
Critics have singled out 11 films as the year’s best, but one stands above the rest. Netflix’s “Roma” has racked up 16 best film prizes, while Alfonso Cuaron has netted 21 director trophies. A far distant second is Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite” with five best film accolades, followed by “Green Book” and “A Star Is Born” with three apiece. The only other films to score multiple awards are “The Hate U Give” and “Black Panther,” with two each.
Other films awarded are “Eighth Grade,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Leave No Trace,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (a bold choice by the Utah crowd) and “You Were Never Really Here.”
Unexpectedly, Lynne Ramsay, the...
Critics have singled out 11 films as the year’s best, but one stands above the rest. Netflix’s “Roma” has racked up 16 best film prizes, while Alfonso Cuaron has netted 21 director trophies. A far distant second is Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite” with five best film accolades, followed by “Green Book” and “A Star Is Born” with three apiece. The only other films to score multiple awards are “The Hate U Give” and “Black Panther,” with two each.
Other films awarded are “Eighth Grade,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Leave No Trace,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (a bold choice by the Utah crowd) and “You Were Never Really Here.”
Unexpectedly, Lynne Ramsay, the...
- 1/2/2019
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
When does a member of a marginalized group get to deviate from the collectively approved narrative and become just another individual? That’s the question at the heart of the recent controversy over the Belgian film “Girl,” which follows a teenage ballerina’s fraught gender transition, and her subsequent self-reckoning through self-harm.
It is that self-harm — quite graphic, arguably excessive — and the casting of a cisgender dancer in the role, that led trans critic Oliver Whitney to dub the film “a danger to the transgender community” in a recent essay. Whitney’s perspective is urgent and necessary; it was one largely left out from the critical conversation that accompanied the film’s celebrated Cannes Film Festival debut. But for Nora Monsecour, whose real-life story provided the basis of “Girl,” Whitney’s opinion was painful to hear.
“I was really offended, because people made out that Lukas [Dhont] made a film out of his cis perspective,...
It is that self-harm — quite graphic, arguably excessive — and the casting of a cisgender dancer in the role, that led trans critic Oliver Whitney to dub the film “a danger to the transgender community” in a recent essay. Whitney’s perspective is urgent and necessary; it was one largely left out from the critical conversation that accompanied the film’s celebrated Cannes Film Festival debut. But for Nora Monsecour, whose real-life story provided the basis of “Girl,” Whitney’s opinion was painful to hear.
“I was really offended, because people made out that Lukas [Dhont] made a film out of his cis perspective,...
- 12/19/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Lukas Dhont’s feted debut feature Girl has been among the most talked about foreign language films of the year. The Belgian drama has also become a lightning rod for the growing discussion over on screen representation.
The film recounts the true story of a 15-year-old girl, born in the body of a boy, who dreams of becoming a ballerina. The movie won four prizes at Cannes including the prestigious Camera d’Or and was subsequently snapped up by Netflix and key arthouse buyers. It went on to score awards at a string of festivals, a European Film Award and a Golden Globe nomination.
There has been plenty of critical support for the film, with journalists calling it “sublime”, ‘riveting” and “deeply humane” and it has been glowingly received by its real life subject, trans dancer Nora Monsecour, who worked closely with filmmaker Dhont to bring it to screen.
Not all feel the same way,...
The film recounts the true story of a 15-year-old girl, born in the body of a boy, who dreams of becoming a ballerina. The movie won four prizes at Cannes including the prestigious Camera d’Or and was subsequently snapped up by Netflix and key arthouse buyers. It went on to score awards at a string of festivals, a European Film Award and a Golden Globe nomination.
There has been plenty of critical support for the film, with journalists calling it “sublime”, ‘riveting” and “deeply humane” and it has been glowingly received by its real life subject, trans dancer Nora Monsecour, who worked closely with filmmaker Dhont to bring it to screen.
Not all feel the same way,...
- 12/18/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscars Foreign Language Film Shortlist: ‘Roma’, ‘Cold War’, ‘Burning’ & More But No ‘Girl’, ‘Border’
Updated, writethru: From a field of 87 submissions to the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar category, nine movies have now advanced to the shortlist. Working with one of the strongest years in recent memory, the Phase I Committee and the Executive Committee have settled on such favorites as Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Shoplifters.
Among the films left off the list is Golden Globe nominee and Cannes Camera d’Or winner Girl by Belgium’s Lukas Dhont. That film has seen backlash from rights groups regarding the casting of a cisgender actor in a trans role. Also not making the cut is Sweden’s audacious Border, which did however score as a finalist for the Make Up and Hairstyling race. A surprise inclusion is Kazakhstan’s Ayka, the Cannes Best Actress-winning drama from Sergei Dvortsevoy. And, in Lee Chang-dong’s Burning, Korea finally makes the shortlist.
Among the films left off the list is Golden Globe nominee and Cannes Camera d’Or winner Girl by Belgium’s Lukas Dhont. That film has seen backlash from rights groups regarding the casting of a cisgender actor in a trans role. Also not making the cut is Sweden’s audacious Border, which did however score as a finalist for the Make Up and Hairstyling race. A surprise inclusion is Kazakhstan’s Ayka, the Cannes Best Actress-winning drama from Sergei Dvortsevoy. And, in Lee Chang-dong’s Burning, Korea finally makes the shortlist.
- 12/18/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Lukas Dhont was participating in a gender equality panel at the EFAs.
Stories should not be pigeonholed by gender, said Lukas Dhont, the Belgian director of Girl, at an EFAs debate about gender equality. “Yes we need stories about women told by women, yes we need stories about African Americans told by African Americans, yes, we need trans stories told by trans people.”
However, he continued, “I see cinema as a bridge, not a wall. This goes for all the arts – acting, directing – if we only make work that reflects our own identity, I think that is the wrong direction.
Stories should not be pigeonholed by gender, said Lukas Dhont, the Belgian director of Girl, at an EFAs debate about gender equality. “Yes we need stories about women told by women, yes we need stories about African Americans told by African Americans, yes, we need trans stories told by trans people.”
However, he continued, “I see cinema as a bridge, not a wall. This goes for all the arts – acting, directing – if we only make work that reflects our own identity, I think that is the wrong direction.
- 12/17/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Lukas Dhont was participating in a gender equality panel at the EFAs.
Stories should not be pigeonholed by gender, said Lukas Dhont, the Belgian director of Girl, at an EFAs debate about gender equality. “Yes we need stories about women told by women, yes we need stories about African Americans told by African Americans, yes, we need trans stories told by trans people.”
However, he continued, “I see cinema as a bridge, not a wall. This goes for all the arts – acting, directing – if we only make work that reflects our own identity, I think that is the wrong direction.
Stories should not be pigeonholed by gender, said Lukas Dhont, the Belgian director of Girl, at an EFAs debate about gender equality. “Yes we need stories about women told by women, yes we need stories about African Americans told by African Americans, yes, we need trans stories told by trans people.”
However, he continued, “I see cinema as a bridge, not a wall. This goes for all the arts – acting, directing – if we only make work that reflects our own identity, I think that is the wrong direction.
- 12/17/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Pawel Pawlikowski’s “”Cold War” swept the European Film Academy Awards on Saturday, winning five of its bids: Best Picture, Director, Actress (Joanna Kulig), Screenplay and Film Editing. This Polish picture contended for the top prize against three other films that are also entered in this year’s Oscar race for Foreign-Language Film — Sweden’s “Border,” Poland’s “Cold War,” Italy’s “Dogman” and Belgium’s “Girl.” The fifth nominee was “Happy as Lazzaro,” which is also from Italy.
Winners of the 31st edition of these awards were decided by the 3,000 plus members of the academy, drawn from all parts of Europe. Scroll down to see all the winners (and nominees).
Last year Ruben Ostlund‘s satire “The Square” swept the EFAs with six wins including both Best Picture and Best Comedy. Ostlund claimed both the writing and directing awards for his savage satire set in the high stakes art...
Winners of the 31st edition of these awards were decided by the 3,000 plus members of the academy, drawn from all parts of Europe. Scroll down to see all the winners (and nominees).
Last year Ruben Ostlund‘s satire “The Square” swept the EFAs with six wins including both Best Picture and Best Comedy. Ostlund claimed both the writing and directing awards for his savage satire set in the high stakes art...
- 12/16/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
“Cold War” was the big winner at the European Film Awards, picking up the prizes for Best European Film, Actress (Joanna Kulig), Director, and Screenwriter (both Paweł Pawlikowski). Best actor went to Marcello Fonte of “Dogman,” while Armando Iannucci’s “The Death of Stalin” was named Best European Comedy.
“Cold War” also led all films with five nominations, continuing a strong year for the black-and-white drama — Pawlikowski, whose “Ida” won the Foreign-Language Oscar, also took home Best Director laurels from Cannes.
Ali Abbasi’s “Border” and Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy as Lazzaro” left the ceremony empty-handed despite picking up four nominations apiece.
The full list of winners:
Best European Film
“Border,” Ali Abbasi
“Cold War,” Pawel Pawlikowski
“Dogman,” Matteo Garrone
“Girl,” Lukas Dhont
“Happy as Lazzaro,” Alice Rorhwacher
European Comedy
“C’est La Vie,” Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
“Diamantino,” Gabriel Abrantes, Daniel Schmidt
“The Death of Stalin,” Armando Iannucci
European Director
Ali Abbasi,...
“Cold War” also led all films with five nominations, continuing a strong year for the black-and-white drama — Pawlikowski, whose “Ida” won the Foreign-Language Oscar, also took home Best Director laurels from Cannes.
Ali Abbasi’s “Border” and Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy as Lazzaro” left the ceremony empty-handed despite picking up four nominations apiece.
The full list of winners:
Best European Film
“Border,” Ali Abbasi
“Cold War,” Pawel Pawlikowski
“Dogman,” Matteo Garrone
“Girl,” Lukas Dhont
“Happy as Lazzaro,” Alice Rorhwacher
European Comedy
“C’est La Vie,” Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
“Diamantino,” Gabriel Abrantes, Daniel Schmidt
“The Death of Stalin,” Armando Iannucci
European Director
Ali Abbasi,...
- 12/15/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Other winners include ’Dogman’, ’The Death Of Stalin’, and ’Bergman: A Year in a Life’.
Cold War won best film, best director, best actress (Joanna Kulig) and best screenwriter at the 31st European Film Awards (EFAs), held on December 15, 2018 in Seville.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Pawel Pawlikowski’s film previously won best director at Cannes, and had led the Efa nominations with five nods (it only lost out on best actor to Marcello Fonte for Dogman).
The feature was loosely inspired by Pawlikowski’s own parents. He said on the night, “I’d like to thank my...
Cold War won best film, best director, best actress (Joanna Kulig) and best screenwriter at the 31st European Film Awards (EFAs), held on December 15, 2018 in Seville.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Pawel Pawlikowski’s film previously won best director at Cannes, and had led the Efa nominations with five nods (it only lost out on best actor to Marcello Fonte for Dogman).
The feature was loosely inspired by Pawlikowski’s own parents. He said on the night, “I’d like to thank my...
- 12/15/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
“Cold War,” Pawel Pawlikowski’s black-and-white romance set in the 1950s, scooped the prizes for best film, director and screenplay at the 31st edition of the European Film Awards on Saturday.
“Cold War” star Joanna Kulig also won the award for best actress. Marcello Fonte, the star of Matteo Garrone’s “Dogman,” won for best actor.
Armando Iannucci’s political satire “The Death of Stalin” won for best European comedy. Adapted from the French graphic novel by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin, “The Death of Stalin” is a comic look at how Joseph Stalin’s stroke in 1953 threw the U.S.S.R. into chaos and inspired a mad power grab among his top advisors.
“This is very brave of you. This movie was banned in Russia,” Iannucci said upon picking up his award onstage. The British writer-director added that he loved Europe and made a joke about Brexit.
Lukas Dhont’s “Girl,...
“Cold War” star Joanna Kulig also won the award for best actress. Marcello Fonte, the star of Matteo Garrone’s “Dogman,” won for best actor.
Armando Iannucci’s political satire “The Death of Stalin” won for best European comedy. Adapted from the French graphic novel by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin, “The Death of Stalin” is a comic look at how Joseph Stalin’s stroke in 1953 threw the U.S.S.R. into chaos and inspired a mad power grab among his top advisors.
“This is very brave of you. This movie was banned in Russia,” Iannucci said upon picking up his award onstage. The British writer-director added that he loved Europe and made a joke about Brexit.
Lukas Dhont’s “Girl,...
- 12/15/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Girl was just nominated as Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes yesterday and is the official entry from Belgium for the Foreign Language Feature competition at the Oscars (voting by the Academy’s Foreign Language committee began yesterday). It is a favorite to be named among the nine finalists when the Oscar shortlist is revealed December 17.
From first-time feature film director Lukas Dhont, Girl is about a 15-year-old named Lara, born in the body of a boy, who dreams of being a ballerina. It is inspired by the true story of a friend of Dhont’s named Nora Monsecour, who is featured in this featurette promoting the movie’s upcoming streaming debut on Netflix on January 18, just days before final Oscar nominations are announced.
Netflix picked up the film out of Cannes, where it was in competition in the Un Certain Regard section, won the Fipresci prize,...
From first-time feature film director Lukas Dhont, Girl is about a 15-year-old named Lara, born in the body of a boy, who dreams of being a ballerina. It is inspired by the true story of a friend of Dhont’s named Nora Monsecour, who is featured in this featurette promoting the movie’s upcoming streaming debut on Netflix on January 18, just days before final Oscar nominations are announced.
Netflix picked up the film out of Cannes, where it was in competition in the Un Certain Regard section, won the Fipresci prize,...
- 12/7/2018
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Today’s Golden Globes nominations for the Best Foreign Language Film include some of the leading favorites with potential to be in the mix for the similar category at the Oscars like Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Shoplifters and Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Never Look Away. But there is one glaring omission. Pawel Pawlikowski’s black-and-white Polish drama Cold War did not make the cut despite plaudits from Cannes and critics bodies.
There’s been a lot of heat on Cold War which was the Best Director laureate in Cannes and has frontrunner status at the upcoming European Film Awards. Star Joanna Kulig is currently spending several weeks in La to talk up the film (and croon), and the 1950s-set romantic drama from Amazon has also scored a Best Foreign Language Film win from the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle.
Pawlikowski...
There’s been a lot of heat on Cold War which was the Best Director laureate in Cannes and has frontrunner status at the upcoming European Film Awards. Star Joanna Kulig is currently spending several weeks in La to talk up the film (and croon), and the 1950s-set romantic drama from Amazon has also scored a Best Foreign Language Film win from the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle.
Pawlikowski...
- 12/6/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
There are 87 titles vying for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award this year, in what continues to be a robust lineup of talent, with rich tales to tell from faraway lands. With a number of previous winners and nominees returning for another go-round, and some movies with a strong shot at nominations in other races, this has shaped up to be one of the richest rosters of Oscar contenders in recent memory. At this early stage, there appear to be some clear frontrunners, but as always, there are discoveries yet to be made, and the Foreign Language Committee faces the seriously daunting task of carving out a shortlist of nine films before the official nominations.
This year, however, new Committee heads Larry Karaszewski and Diane Weyermann, who replace the long-serving Mark Johnson, have sought to make it easier on members to screen the films. In a bid for greater participation,...
This year, however, new Committee heads Larry Karaszewski and Diane Weyermann, who replace the long-serving Mark Johnson, have sought to make it easier on members to screen the films. In a bid for greater participation,...
- 11/30/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Lukas Dhont's feature directorial debut, Girl — about a transgender girl (played by breakout Victor Polster) training to become a ballerina — wowed Cannes when it premiered in May, picking up a distribution deal with Netflix and four awards including the Fipresci Prize in the Un Certain Regard section.
Now the film, Belgium's official entry in the foreign-language Oscar race, is the subject of controversy following Dhont's comments in a European newspaper that the streamer had plans to edit out a scene with full frontal nudity of its star, then 15.
Since then, it seems Dhont has come ...
Now the film, Belgium's official entry in the foreign-language Oscar race, is the subject of controversy following Dhont's comments in a European newspaper that the streamer had plans to edit out a scene with full frontal nudity of its star, then 15.
Since then, it seems Dhont has come ...
- 11/20/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lukas Dhont's feature directorial debut, Girl — about a transgender girl (played by breakout Victor Polster) training to become a ballerina — wowed Cannes when it premiered in May, picking up a distribution deal with Netflix and four awards including the Fipresci Prize in the Un Certain Regard section.
Now the film, Belgium's official entry in the foreign-language Oscar race, is the subject of controversy following Dhont's comments in a European newspaper that the streamer had plans to edit out a scene with full frontal nudity of its star, then 15.
Since then, it seems Dhont has come ...
Now the film, Belgium's official entry in the foreign-language Oscar race, is the subject of controversy following Dhont's comments in a European newspaper that the streamer had plans to edit out a scene with full frontal nudity of its star, then 15.
Since then, it seems Dhont has come ...
- 11/20/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jasmin Mozaffari’s “Firecrackers” and Crystal Moselle’s “Skate Kitchen,” a pair of bold and timely North American features, won best film and best debut at the 29th edition of the Stockholm Film Festival, whose awards were almost entirely scooped by female talents.
“Firecrackers,” which world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, marks the feature debut of Canadian helmer Mozaffari. The drama follows two best friends who plot a revenge against an abusing ex who violated one of them. But things spin out of control beyond a point of no return.
The festival praised “Firecrackers” for “its originality in portraying the love between two friends, in its urge for freedom, autonomy, loyalty in a violent world, and bringing us to situations in a way that we have never seen before.”
It’s “a perfectly directed film where all elements come together in a unique universe of its own,” the festival added.
“Firecrackers,” which world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, marks the feature debut of Canadian helmer Mozaffari. The drama follows two best friends who plot a revenge against an abusing ex who violated one of them. But things spin out of control beyond a point of no return.
The festival praised “Firecrackers” for “its originality in portraying the love between two friends, in its urge for freedom, autonomy, loyalty in a violent world, and bringing us to situations in a way that we have never seen before.”
It’s “a perfectly directed film where all elements come together in a unique universe of its own,” the festival added.
- 11/16/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Other winners include ’Cold War’, ’All Good’, ‘Skate Kitchen’.
Jasmin Mozaffari’s debut feature Firecrackers has won best film at the Stockholm International Film Festival 2018.
The Canadian drama, which premiered in Toronto, is about two young women desperate to escape their repressive small town; a night of debauchery could derail their future plans. Screen spoke to Mozaffari about the film after its debut.
The jury praised the film’s “originality in portraying the love between two friends, in its urge for freedom, autonomy, loyalty in a violent world, and bringing us to situations in a way that we have never seen before,...
Jasmin Mozaffari’s debut feature Firecrackers has won best film at the Stockholm International Film Festival 2018.
The Canadian drama, which premiered in Toronto, is about two young women desperate to escape their repressive small town; a night of debauchery could derail their future plans. Screen spoke to Mozaffari about the film after its debut.
The jury praised the film’s “originality in portraying the love between two friends, in its urge for freedom, autonomy, loyalty in a violent world, and bringing us to situations in a way that we have never seen before,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
As Belgium’s submission for this year’s Foreign Language Oscar race, the Lukas Dhont-directed drama Girl tells the story of Lara (Victor Polster), a 15-year-old girl born in a boy’s body committed to becoming a professional ballerina. The film, which is Dhont’s debut feature and based on a real-life woman named Nora, premiered at Cannes and won the Camera d’Or and earned Polster a Best Performance nod. It was also acquired by Netflix for North and Latin America. During an Awardsline screening, Dhont talked about the journey of making Girl and addressed the sensitive topic of transgender representation in film.
The seed of Girl was planted nearly a decade ago when Dhont read a newspaper article about a young trans girl named Nora who wanted to be a ballerina but was not allowed in the girl’s class. Dhont approached Nora about doing a documentary about it.
The seed of Girl was planted nearly a decade ago when Dhont read a newspaper article about a young trans girl named Nora who wanted to be a ballerina but was not allowed in the girl’s class. Dhont approached Nora about doing a documentary about it.
- 11/14/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Nominations for the European Film Academy Award were announced on Saturday (Nov. 10) at the Seville film festival in Spain. Four of the entries in this year’s Oscar race for Foreign-Language Film — Sweden’s “Border,” Poland’s “Cold War,” Italy’s “Dogman” and Belgium’s “Girl” — are up for Best Picture. The fifth nominee is “Happy as Lazzaro” from Germany (which submitted “Never Look Away” at the Oscars).
Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War” leads with five nominations: Best Picture, Director, Actor (Tomasz Kot), Actress (Joanna Kulig) and Screenplay. “Dogman” and “Border” have four nominations apiece as does “Happy as Lazzaro.”
Winners of the 31st edition of these awards will be decided by the 3,000 plus members of the academy, drawn from all parts of Europe. The ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Seville.
Last year Ruben Ostlund‘s satire “The Square” swept the EFAs with six wins including both Best Picture and Best Comedy.
Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War” leads with five nominations: Best Picture, Director, Actor (Tomasz Kot), Actress (Joanna Kulig) and Screenplay. “Dogman” and “Border” have four nominations apiece as does “Happy as Lazzaro.”
Winners of the 31st edition of these awards will be decided by the 3,000 plus members of the academy, drawn from all parts of Europe. The ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Seville.
Last year Ruben Ostlund‘s satire “The Square” swept the EFAs with six wins including both Best Picture and Best Comedy.
- 11/11/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
This year’s European Film Awards will be dominated by movies that won prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, with Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” Matteo Garrone’s “Dogman,” Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy as Lazzaro,” Lukas Dhont’s “Girl” and Ali Abbasi’s “Border” all in the running for best picture.
A 1950s-set love story shot in black and white, “Cold War” world premiered in competition at Cannes, along with the crime thriller “Dogman” and magic parable “Happy as Lazzaro.” “Cold War” won the award for best director, “Dogman” for best actor and “Happy as Lazzaro” for screenplay.
“Girl,” a drama about a transgender teen who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, world premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and won four awards, including the Golden Camera for best first film. “Border” also opened in Un Certain Regard and won the top prize. It follows a customs officer with an extraordinary sense of smell,...
A 1950s-set love story shot in black and white, “Cold War” world premiered in competition at Cannes, along with the crime thriller “Dogman” and magic parable “Happy as Lazzaro.” “Cold War” won the award for best director, “Dogman” for best actor and “Happy as Lazzaro” for screenplay.
“Girl,” a drama about a transgender teen who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, world premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and won four awards, including the Golden Camera for best first film. “Border” also opened in Un Certain Regard and won the top prize. It follows a customs officer with an extraordinary sense of smell,...
- 11/11/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paweł Pawlikowski’s “Cold War” leads the pack in this year’s European Film Awards, picking up five nominations after winning Best Director laurels earlier this year at Cannes. The black-and-white romance is followed closely by Matteo Garrone’s “Dogman,” Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy as Lazzaro,” and Ali Abassi’s “Border,” all of which also picked up awards on the Croisette and now find themselves with four nods apiece.
This year’s ceremony takes place on December 15 in Seville, Spain. Here’s the full list of nominations:
European Film 2018
Border, dir: Ali Abbasi
Cold War, dir: Pawel Pawlikowski
Dogman, dir: Matteo Garrone
Girl dir: Lukas Dhont
Happy As Lazzaro, dir: Alice Rohrwacher
European Documentary 2018
A Woman Captured, dir: Bernadett Tuza-Ritter
Bergman – A Year In A Life, dir: Jane Magnusson
Of Fathers And Sons, dir: Talal Derki
The Distant Barking Of Dogs, dir: Simon Lering Wilmont
The Silence Of Others, dirs:...
This year’s ceremony takes place on December 15 in Seville, Spain. Here’s the full list of nominations:
European Film 2018
Border, dir: Ali Abbasi
Cold War, dir: Pawel Pawlikowski
Dogman, dir: Matteo Garrone
Girl dir: Lukas Dhont
Happy As Lazzaro, dir: Alice Rohrwacher
European Documentary 2018
A Woman Captured, dir: Bernadett Tuza-Ritter
Bergman – A Year In A Life, dir: Jane Magnusson
Of Fathers And Sons, dir: Talal Derki
The Distant Barking Of Dogs, dir: Simon Lering Wilmont
The Silence Of Others, dirs:...
- 11/10/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The nominations for the 2018 Efa awards were revealed at the Seville European Film Festival.
After winning best birector at Cannes Film Festival, Pawel Pawlikowski’s melodrama about love and modern European history leads the European Film Awards (Efa) nominations with five nods including for European film, director, actress (for Joanna Kulig), actor (for Tomasz Kot) and screenwriter (for Pawlikowski).
Cold War was followed closely by Dogman, Border and Happy As Lazzaro with four Efa nominations each. The latter three joined Cold War in being nominated for European film, director and screenwriter.
Like Pawlikowski, Rohrwacher was nominated on her own for Lazzaro’s screenplay,...
After winning best birector at Cannes Film Festival, Pawel Pawlikowski’s melodrama about love and modern European history leads the European Film Awards (Efa) nominations with five nods including for European film, director, actress (for Joanna Kulig), actor (for Tomasz Kot) and screenwriter (for Pawlikowski).
Cold War was followed closely by Dogman, Border and Happy As Lazzaro with four Efa nominations each. The latter three joined Cold War in being nominated for European film, director and screenwriter.
Like Pawlikowski, Rohrwacher was nominated on her own for Lazzaro’s screenplay,...
- 11/10/2018
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Nominations are in for the 31st European Film Awards with previous winner Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War leading the pack. The romance drama won the Best Director prize in Cannes and Pawlikowski is up here for the same nod. Cold War, Poland’s Oscar hopeful this year, is also mentioned in the Best Film, Screenwriting, Actress and Actor categories.
Joining Cold War in the main race are a series of Oscar entries for the Best Foreign Language Film statue. They include Sweden’s wild Border from Ali Abbasi, Italy’s Dogman from Matteo Garrone and Belgium’s Girl by Lukas Dhont. The latter won the Camera d’Or in Cannes for best first film, and also scored the Best Performance nod in the Un Certain Regard section for lead Victor Polster who received a nomination today from the European Film Academy. Netflix acquired Girl for North and Latin America out of the festival.
Joining Cold War in the main race are a series of Oscar entries for the Best Foreign Language Film statue. They include Sweden’s wild Border from Ali Abbasi, Italy’s Dogman from Matteo Garrone and Belgium’s Girl by Lukas Dhont. The latter won the Camera d’Or in Cannes for best first film, and also scored the Best Performance nod in the Un Certain Regard section for lead Victor Polster who received a nomination today from the European Film Academy. Netflix acquired Girl for North and Latin America out of the festival.
- 11/10/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Among the 87 entries this year, down five from 2017’s whopping 92, there are more documentaries than ever, plus two African countries submitting for the first time: Malawi and Niger. Here’s a guide to the films, including logline, sales, and production contact.
Afghanistan
“Rona, Azim’s Mother”
Director: Jamshid Mahmoudi
Logline: A touching drama set in the milieu of Afghan immigrants in Iran who lack full citizens’ rights, with laborer Azim struggling to care for his mother.
Key Cast: Mohsen Tanabandeh, Fatemeh Hosseini
Intl. Sales: Noori Pictures
Algeria
“Until the End of Time”
Director: Yasmine Chouikh
Logline: An elderly grave digger and a 60-something widow meet in the cemetery of Sidi Boulekbour and develop feelings for one another.
Key Cast: Djillali Boudjemaa, Djamila Arres
Intl. Sales: MakingOf Film
Argentina
“El Ángel”
Director: Luis Ortega
Logline: A portrait of the infamous teenage serial killer “The Angel of Death,” who took Argentina by...
Afghanistan
“Rona, Azim’s Mother”
Director: Jamshid Mahmoudi
Logline: A touching drama set in the milieu of Afghan immigrants in Iran who lack full citizens’ rights, with laborer Azim struggling to care for his mother.
Key Cast: Mohsen Tanabandeh, Fatemeh Hosseini
Intl. Sales: Noori Pictures
Algeria
“Until the End of Time”
Director: Yasmine Chouikh
Logline: An elderly grave digger and a 60-something widow meet in the cemetery of Sidi Boulekbour and develop feelings for one another.
Key Cast: Djillali Boudjemaa, Djamila Arres
Intl. Sales: MakingOf Film
Argentina
“El Ángel”
Director: Luis Ortega
Logline: A portrait of the infamous teenage serial killer “The Angel of Death,” who took Argentina by...
- 11/8/2018
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
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