Culture

The past years have seen a significant increase in the screening of Flemish films at international festivals. Last year the honours went to 'De Helaasheid der dingen/La merditude des choses' by Felix Van Groeningen, which had its first screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Screenwriter Koen Mortier's debut film, 'Ex-drummer', based on the novel of the same name by Herman Brusselmans, had its world première in Rotterdam. On 13 September screenwriter/director Koen Mortier's film '22 mei' (22nd of May) will debut at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF). Showing your film at a world première goes a long way for international exposure and of course international sales, and an A-list festival like the TIFF ensures selection for other festivals, says '22nd of May'-producer Eurydice Gysel. Another Flemish film due for a world première in the world cinema category of the Montréal festival is screenwriter/director Kadir Balci's 'Turquaze'. Producer Dirk Impens is most excited about the international attention on the film. With Montréal as second most important Canadian film festival after Toronto, Impens feels that although the film, which addresses the difficult relationship between a young Turkish man about to bury his father in Istanbul and his Flemish girlfriend in Ghent, is quite accessible, it could struggle commercially. He is nevertheless pleased with the film's acceptance and success within the Turkish community in Ghent. 'Adem' (Breath), Hans Van Nuffel's first film which deals with the problems of mucoviscidose and was selected for the official competition, will also be screened in Montréal. The film will however have its première as the opening film of the Ostend film festival on 3 September. 'Breath' will be released in local cinemas on 8 September and 'Turquaze' on 29 September. On 17 November, 'The 22nd of May'will start its local run.

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