Rebel

In Cannes, Belgian director Felix Van Groeningen, best known for the Oscar-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown and his Hollywood debut film Beautiful Boy, presented his latest film The Eight Mountains, alongside his real-life partner/actor Charlotte Vandermeersch, who also co-directed and wrote the film. Intimately shot by Ruben Impens in the 4:3 aspect ratio, this touching story about friendship is set in the breathtaking and wonderfully photographed Italian Alpine valley of Aosta.

Not one but four films from Belgium are part of the Cannes competition this year: Charlotte Vandermeersch & Felix can Groeningen’s Le Otto Montagne, Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Rebel and the Dardenne Bros,’ Tori et Lokita, Lukas Dhont’s Close. HFPA-reporter Greet Ramaekers talked to the actors and cinematographers who worked with them to explain their dedication on the road to major success.