Drama & Cinema

Belgian film and TV drama — Palme d’Or social realism, cult action, gritty crime series and the trailers that travelled the world.

Part of Belgium

20 moments in this segment.

1. 1975-01-01 — Chantal Akerman — "Jeanne Dielman". The Brussels auteur whose 1975 masterpiece was voted the greatest film of all time.
2. 1991-01-01 — Toto le héros. Jaco Van Dormael’s 1991 Caméra d’Or debut — a poetic, time-jumping tale of a stolen life.
3. 1991-01-01 — Jaco Van Dormael. The director of "Toto le héros" and "Mr. Nobody" — Belgium’s great cinematic fabulist.
4. 1992-01-01 — "Man Bites Dog". The pitch-black 1992 mockumentary about a charming serial killer — a Belgian cult landmark.
5. 1996-01-01 — Le Huitième Jour. Van Dormael’s 1996 film whose star Pascal Duquenne shared the Cannes best-actor prize.
6. 1996-01-01 — "The Eighth Day" (Le Huitième Jour). Jaco Van Dormael’s 1996 film whose lead, an actor with Down syndrome, shared the Cannes Best Actor prize.
7. 1999-01-01 — "Rosetta". The Dardennes’ 1999 Palme d’Or — its raw realism even inspired a Belgian youth-employment law.
8. 2002-01-01 — Cécile de France. The Namur-born star of "L’Auberge espagnole" and "Hereafter" — Belgian cinema’s international ambassador.
9. 2003-01-01 — De Zaak Alzheimer (The Memory of a Killer). Erik Van Looy’s 2003 crime hit about an ageing hitman losing his memory — a Flemish classic.
10. 2008-01-01 — Loft. Erik Van Looy’s 2008 erotic thriller — the highest-grossing Flemish film ever, remade twice abroad.
11. 2009-01-01 — "Mr. Nobody". Van Dormael’s 2009 sprawling sci-fi on every life unlived — an ambitious Belgian epic.
12. 2011-01-01 — Rundskop (Bullhead). Michaël R. Roskam’s 2011 Oscar-nominated thriller — the breakout of Matthias Schoenaerts.
13. 2011-01-01 — Hasta la Vista (Come as You Are). Geoffrey Enthoven’s 2011 road-trip comedy about three disabled friends — a festival favourite.
14. 2011-01-01 — "Bullhead" (Rundskop). Michaël R. Roskam’s 2011 hormone-mafia noir — Matthias Schoenaerts’ Oscar-nominated breakout.
15. 2012-01-01 — "The Broken Circle Breakdown". Felix Van Groeningen’s 2012 bluegrass tragedy — an Oscar-nominated Flemish gut-punch.
16. 2012-01-01 — Matthias Schoenaerts. The Flemish actor who broke through "Bullhead" into Hollywood and French arthouse alike.
17. 2018-01-01 — Girl. Lukas Dhont’s 2018 debut about a trans teenage ballerina — Caméra d’Or at Cannes.
18. 2018-01-01 — "Girl". Lukas Dhont’s 2018 Cannes Caméra d’Or — a tender, controversial Flemish ballet drama.
19. 2022-01-01 — Close. Lukas Dhont’s 2022 Grand Prix winner — a tender, devastating story of boyhood friendship.
20. 2022-01-01 — "Close". Lukas Dhont’s 2022 Grand Prix winner — a heartbreaking study of boyhood friendship.