Over the past two decades, Belgian cinema, be it from Flanders or from the French speaking part of the country, has risen to prominence in the international filmmaking arena, boasting richly diverse films that consistently garner critical praise and worldwide anticipation. From the unsettling but still urgently relevant MAN BITES DOG which rocked the Cannes Film Festival in 1992 and the quirky and vibrant tale of identity mix-up in TOTO THE HERO, to the monumental saga of DAENS or the Oscar nominated EVERYBODY FAMOUS, the outstanding thrillers

MEMORY OF A KILLER and DOSSIER K, and the string of critically-lauded dramatic works by the brilliant filial duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (ROSETTA, THE SON, THE CHILD, LORNA’S SILENCE), to the gripping social drama ILLEGAL and this year’s impressive crime drama BULLHEAD, the Belgian film industry has proven its dexterity in tone and its originality in aesthetic.

Last year, the Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, launched a monthly Belgian Film Series in partnership with the American Cinemathèque as a celebration of Belgium’s Presidency of the European Union in the second half on 2010. Thanks to the great success of the series, ‘Grit and Whimsy’ returns on a permanent basis starting April 2011. Each third Wednesday of the month is Belgian movie night at the American Cinemathèque in Santa Monica! December’s film from this series is  MR. NOBODY. This film will be screened on December 21st, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Aero Theatre 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403.

MR. NOBODY
(2009, Belga Films, 141 min.) In English.
 
Directed by Jaco Van Dormael (TOTO LE HEROS, LE HUITIEME JOUR), this wonderful and intriguing Sci-Fi movie finds 118-year-old Nemo (Jared Leto) hazily recounting the story of his life to a reporter. As the old man’s memory fades in and out, he recalls a trio of formative events in his younger life: his parents’ divorce; his marriage to Elise
Sarah Polley) who was depressed from a former lost love and was determined to have her ashes sprinkled on Mars; and his later marriage to Jean (Linh Dam Pham), with
whom he shared a life of cold, bored luxury. Reality continiously seems to be slipping
out of control in this fantastic work of art. With Diane Kruger.

Belgian Film Series screenings in Los Angeles is organized by the Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, in cooperation with Flanders Image and Wallonie Bruxelles Images, with the support of E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America). 

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CWB News Department, collects and republishes most important news and stories about International and Independent cinema, by noting the original source of the articles

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