Several productions with Belgian imput won big at the Academy Awards last night. Emilia Pérez, the film in which Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's production company Les Films du Fleuve played a role, bagged 2 Oscars. There are also awards for two other Belgian co-productions: ‘Flow’ takes the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, ‘I'm not a robot’ that for best Live Action Short Film.
The Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film went to ‘Flow’, the Latvian-French-Belgian co-production. The film also previously won a Golden Globe.
It is the third animated film to be nominated for best international film. In addition, it is the second animated film to be nominated in both categories at the same time.
‘This is also the first time a film from Latvia has been nominated,’ says creator Gints Zilbalodis, who in addition to thanking the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his parents, also expressed thanks to his cats. ‘This means a lot to us. I am really moved by how the film has been received.’
‘Flow’ is a film about an adorable kitten in a world overrun by water. There is no human in sight. On a small boat, the kitten must not only conquer its fear of water but also learn to live with and cooperate with other animals that survived the tsunami.
The film was partly made at Brussels' Take Five studios, making it a Belgian co-production. ‘Flow’ may have won for Latvia, but Belgium may also be proud.
In addition to ‘Flow’ best Live Action Short Film, the Dutch short ‘I'm not a Robot’, also collaborated with a Belgian production house.
Zoë Saldaña wins Best Supporting actress
With 13 Oscar nominations 'Emilia Pérez', the film in which Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's production company Les Films du Fleuve played a role, disappointed picking up only two Oscars. Zoë Saldaña is Best Supporting Actress.
She plays Rita Mora Castro, a lawyer in a practice involved in clearing the names of drug criminals.
As expected, 'El mal' won the Oscar for Best Song granting 'Emilia Pérez' a second Oscar last night. Songwriters Clément Ducol and Camille accepted the award.
‘Emilia Pérez’ is a Spanish-language musical by French director Jacques Audiard and tells the story of a Mexican drug lord, who undergoes surgery to become a woman.