Two documentaries from Flanders have been selected in the documentary section of this year’s European Film Awards. The two documentaries from Flanders that have been selected are the Belgian-Dutch-Indian co-production ‘Marching in the Dark’ by the Indian documentary maker Kinshuk Surjan and Johan Grimonprez ‘s ‘Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat’. From the 12 selected documentaries, the more than 5,000 members of the European Film Academy will draw up a shortlist. This will will be announced on 5 November.
‘In Marching in the Dark’, Kinshuk Surjan, who lives part-time in Brussels, returns to his native country. There, he follows Sanjeevani, a young peasant widow, who has lost her husband to suicide. Along with several others in the same plight, she decides to meet a local psychologist and activist to share her story, discuss her problems and help others deal with their grief.
Johan Grimonprez’s ‘Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat’ is a documentary made up of archive footage and music recordings, focusing on the post-colonial struggle for Congo's rich resources after independence in 1960. The film is told from the unique perspective of Andrée Blouin, a forgotten pioneer of female emancipation and independence in Africa.
Feature film also selected
Julie zwijgt’, the feature film debut of Flemish film director Leonardo van Dijl has been selected in the feature film category of the European Film Awards. A shortlist in this category will also be announced on 5 November. The winners in all categories of what is the 37th European Film Awards will be announced on 7 December in Lucerne, Switzerland.