1. A full house, relaxed, impatient to discover the announced event of this year. A room full of professionals who have grown up with Wallimageand the fans who will discover all that has happened in the last ten years, receive some nice gifts and leave with a “banana” and the sudden satisfaction of living in a great region (quite a satisfaction, isn’t it?)
2. A short clip to start the evening. Launched as a joke in Cannes, the Walloon adaptation of this hit popularized by Johnny H., has become a real cult object. Logical! He represents all the assets of the region: talent AND relaxation, professionalism AND permanent humor. Versatility too. Cult, we tell you!
3. A happy man. Philippe Reynaert, director of Wallimage since its creation in 2001, was the obvious choice. The fact that he combines the four qualities of our region (see previous photo) has allowed him to embody the dynamism of Wallonia, to put oil in the wheels whenever necessary, to boost the image of the region outside, but also at home, and especially to manage a financial fund with a general public film lover. 10 years later, the voice vibrated with emotion.
4. A great film. It’s hard to pull off a comedy. And almost impossible to follow the colossal success of Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis. Rien à Déclarer, co-produced in Wallonia by Scope Pictures and co-financed by Wallimage, does better! With a rhythm inspired by the best American comedies (My father-in-law and meamong others) and an incredible duo of actors, the film is a total success, shot in Belgium with a host of confirmed and new Belgian actors such as Julie Bernardwho will make the heart of Dany, the Frenchman, capsize in the film.
5. A nice team that “does the job”, as they say. We all agree: Nothing to Declare is a great comedy. But sharing this moment of pleasure with the film’s team is even better. These stakhanovists of the promotion have particularly enjoyed the warm welcome of the Montois public. And if these are naturally Benoit Poelvoorde and Dany Boon who particularly ensured the atmosphere under the amused eye of the genius Bouli Lanners, Geneviève Lemal the Belgian co-producer wearing an incredible Super Wallonne t-shirt (we’ll show you a close-up later) particularly enjoyed the promise of an upcoming theatrical triumph. Can’t wait for the 26th!
6. A reception with the small onions. Olivier Leenaert the ram of Wallimage knows how to make a party dynamic. Last night after the screening, the atmosphere was relaxed and the service perfect. Everyone ate well, drank well, and laughed well. All this in a 100% Franco-Belgian atmosphere of very good taste.
7. Ministers who discuss serenely outside the box. When Jean-Claude Marcourt, the current Minister of Wallimage, meets Serge Kubla who created the fund, Rien à Déclarer is not the theme of the day. The two men talked (a lot). In all conviviality.
8. On interregional friendship. The theme of Nothing to Declare is the stupidity of racism. Whether it is French-Belgian as in the film or any other… as in life. The idea of creating regional funds to finance the cinema goes in a diametrically opposed direction: that of bringing together the sensibilities that cooperate in friendship. Cineregio, which brings together more than 30 European funds, is the proof. And in Belgium? Look at the smiles of Philippe Reynaert and Pierre Drouot, his Flemish counterpart. And you will have quickly understood that these two men take a malicious pleasure to be next to each other. For the benefit of both regions
9. Good moods everywhere! Smiles and laughter were the only things that happened at Imagix. On the screen, in the room, at the reception. For the 10th anniversary, there was really nothing to get excited about. Isn’t it Stephanie and Christophe?
10. And French fries of course. A French one on the left, a Belgian one on the right. Another great idea that delighted the guests who did not hesitate to gobble up two portions with frica(n)delle(s). It was necessary to compare !!! Verdict ? A draw (but this is not to offend anyone: we know very well that the Walloon fries are the best 😉
What’s up? See you in 10 years?
