Archive for the ‘Belgium’ Category
Author: James
No trouble with Harry
When the chance for a chat with one of Belgium’s finest directors, Harry Kümel, presented itself during the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) 2010, you can be sure that Picturenose’s James Drew (JD) didn’t miss his opportunity to meet the man behind two of the most acclaimed cult horror/sci-fi/fantasy features ever made, Les lèvres rouges (Daughters of Darkness) (1971) and Malpertuis (The Legend of Doom House) (1971).
Author: James
Gods and monsters
Picturenose had the pleasure of meeting renowned Antwerp-born director Harry Kümel during BIFFF 2010 - a little background then on Malpertuis (The Legend of Doom House) (1971), a film which, along with Kümel’s Les lèvres rouges (Daughters of Darkness) (1971), resulted in the director quickly being labelled a master of fantasy and horror.
Author: James
A giveaway so good, it’s frightening
The 28th edition of the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film, BIFFF 2010, will be opening its doors to a bloodthirsty public from 8-20 April at Tour & Taxis this year – of course, Picturenose is in on the act, as you’d expect, with 50 pairs of film tickets to give away to our lucky readers. Read on, but be warned – here there be tygers…
Author: James
Ah, wonderful! The eclectic, exciting Brussels film festival season begins in earnest, as it has done twice previously, with OffScreen, the annual rendez-vous for extraordinary cinema enthusiasts. Taking place over three extended weekends from 4-21 March, Brussels’ Cinema Nova, Cinematek, Bozar and RITS Cinema will be buzzing with cult-film screenings, featuring rare cinematic gems including international off-beat features, documentaries and special appearances from renowned independent filmmakers. And Picturenose is joining in the fun, as usual, with a fabulous ticket giveaway for our readers.
Author: James
None more black
Amazing to think that some 17 years have passed since writer-directors Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel and Benoît Poelvoorde put Belgium on the cinematic map, big time, with C’est arrivé près de chez vous (1992), n’est-ce pas?
Poelvoorde has since gone on to be one of the Low Countries’ most succesful exports but has moved away from the jet-black horror-humour that characterizes his performance as aimiable serial killer/thief Ben in C’est arrivé… towards the broader (but no less enjoyable) strokes associated with classics such as Philippe Harel’s Le vélo de Ghislain Lambert (2001) and Yann Moix’s fabulous Podium (2004).
Author: James
‘Good News’ for Belgian cinema
An important cultural agreement between Egyptian media and entertainment company Good News Group and Brussels International Independent Film Festival was signed recently – Picturenose reports.
Egyptian film producer and director Adel Adeeb (pictured) has put €3 million in the coffers for an intriguing collaboration between Belgian and Egyptian cinema, to finance 50 per cent of two feature films.
Author: James
Heart of darkness
Can’t you just feel the excitement? Picturenose is approaching its 300th post (this would be number 294), so a good time to talk about Vinyan (2008), the most recent film by Belgian horror master, Fabrice Du Welz.
Regular PN readers will be only too aware how well Du Welz’s first film, Calvaire (The Ordeal) (2004) went down with yours truly – as a lifelong horror fan (but only the good stuff, mind), it numbers among the most frightening films I have ever seen and, as I confessed with my initial review, actually gave me a nightmare.
Author: James
Terror vision
This is an astonishingly grim picture – quite simply, it redefines horror. Rarely (all too rarely) is a director courageous enough to transcend the clichés and clunkers associated with the genre, to remain true to his vision and offer audiences an opportunity to discover what a fear film can do, when it’s done right. An earlier example was Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – a tour de force which, despite its title and reputation, was actually short on blood and guts but very long on atmosphere, sweaty claustrophobia and ‘Oh-my-God-make-it-stop’ terror. Make no mistake – at this level, the horror film is simply out to get you. And Calvaire, which was the first feature from young Belgian director Fabrice du Welz makes Massacre look like a rural idyll.
- Colin: Mike: the Matrix was utter toss. Don’t go there. Anyhow, I’m right with you on Aliens –...
- Colin: James: Why not do ten more and see if you can avoid putting the god-awful travesty that is Independence Day in...
- CD: The Day the Earth Stood Still (it’s about an alien who is Jesus…but better than ET) Soylent Green...
- James: Hello Chris, and welcome to Picturenose!
Many thanks for your comment – I thought, in fact, that... - James: Colin, good points, both on Westworld (which should really have been included, I know, I know) and otters.