Several films with ties to Belgium have secured nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, underscoring the country’s growing influence in international cinema.
Among the notable contenders is the highly discussed musical crime drama Emilia Pérez, co-produced by Belgian filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne through their production company, Les Films du Fleuve.
The Oscars, set to take place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, are shaping up to be a thrilling event for Belgian cinema.
Emilia Pérez, which tells the story of a Mexican transgender drug lord, earned an impressive 13 nominations, marking a record for a non-English language film.
It has been nominated in major categories, including Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Cinematography.
However, despite its early success, the film has faced recent setbacks. Lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón has come under scrutiny following the resurfacing of controversial tweets about Islam, the Oscars, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Additionally, LGBTQ+ advocates have criticized the film’s portrayal of the trans community, casting uncertainty over its Oscar prospects.
Belgian Documentary Explores Congo’s History
Beyond Emilia Pérez, another Belgian co-production making waves is Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, nominated in the Best Documentary category.
Directed by Johan Grimonprez, the documentary delves into the years surrounding Congo’s independence and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, highlighting the role of Western complicity.
The film uniquely intertwines this historical moment with the international jazz scene of the time, showing how legendary musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Nina Simone were unknowingly used in covert cultural diplomacy operations.
Told from the perspective of Andrée Blouin, a pivotal figure in African emancipation, the documentary sheds light on the lesser-known intersections of politics and music.
Animated Films and Other Belgian Contenders
Belgium’s presence at the Academy Awards extends to the animation categories as well. Two Belgian films have been shortlisted for Best Animated Short Film: Beautiful Men by Nicolas Keppens and the Flemish co-production Wander to Wonder, a stop-motion film by Dutch filmmaker Nina Gantz.
Beautiful Men follows three brothers who travel to Istanbul for a hair transplant, blending humor with a commentary on self-image and insecurities.
Meanwhile, Wander to Wonder explores the aftermath of a beloved children’s show ending and the struggles of its characters after the creator’s passing.
In the Best International Feature Film category, the Latvian-Belgian animated feature Flow has earned a nomination.
The film, which follows a kitten navigating a world submerged in water, also received a nod for Best Animated Film and recently won a Golden Globe in the same category. Brussels-based studio Take Five played a key role in the film’s post-production.
Additionally, Dutch filmmaker Victoria Warmerdam’s I’m Not a Robot, a co-production by the Belgian company The Y-house Films, secured a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film.
Belgian Entry Falls Short
While Belgium’s cinematic contributions are well represented this year, the country’s official Oscar entry, Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie Zwijgt), did not make it onto the shortlist for Best International Feature Film in December. Despite this setback, the strong presence of Belgian-linked films across multiple categories highlights the nation’s growing impact in the global film industry.
As the 97th Academy Awards approach, all eyes will be on Hollywood to see how Belgium’s contributions fare on cinema’s biggest night.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
