A psychological thriller set against a backdrop of hormone trafficking, Rundskop/Tête de Boeuf is further proof of the Flemish talent that captures the attention of its audience with a (very) gloomy subject, treated without any ease. Many journalists have seen Scorcese (great era) in the young Michael R. Roskam and we can not prove them wrong. Especially since the director has found his De Niro, the delirious Matthias Schoenaerts who gives off a flamboyant animal charisma. That he metamorphoses in this way for this historic role only reinforces the comparison with the great Bob(Raging Bull). All the other awards he has received are eminently deserved. The only one that perhaps unfairly escapes him is the one for the best music… for which he was not even nominated. Strange as well as strange for the score of Ref Keunen, however quite exceptional.
After the nominations, the terrific Limburg thriller, which attracted almost 500,000 Belgian viewers, was neck and neck with Adem, which had to settle for the Vlaamse Prijs for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress(Anemone Valcke).
The best actress of the year is Agnieszka Grochowska in the film Beyond the Steppes while Bert Ostyn wins the award for best music for Turquaze.
The last two trophies went to the astonishing project Schellebelle 1919 (bijzondere prestatie) and to Gus Van den Berghe for Blue Bird (Flemish culture award).
The Vlaamse Prijzen are not the result of a global vote of all the members of the profession, but of the winners designated by a jury. For this 3rd edition, Peter Van den Begin, president and main actor of Fritz en Freddy, nominated several times, has chosen to bring together jurors not necessarily linked to the film industry: the photographer Lieve Blancquaert (Nic Balthazar’s companion), Hans Boulon, owner of Studio-100, Phara de Aguirre, TV journalist, Els Dottermans actress, Piet Gossaer singer, Jan Mulder, Dutch editorialist and ex-football player and Christophe Van Rompaey, director.
The method is reminiscent of festivals and is therefore radically different from the classic formulas used in competitions such as the Oscars, the Césars or the Magritte, where all the professionals can express themselves.
After De Helaasheid der dingen in 2010, Rundskop is a new expected winner. And unquestionable? Yes, we can dare the word: incontestable!
Proficiat!
