- The Misfortunates
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The Misfortunates 
Directed by Felix Van Groeningen Produced by Dirk Impens
Jeroen Beker
Frans van GestelScreenplay by Felix Van Groeningen
Christophe DirickxStory by Dimitri Verhulst Starring Koen De Graeve
Johan Heldenbergh
Wouter Hendrickx
Bert Haelvoet
Valentijn Dhaenens
Kenneth Vanbaeden
Gilda De BalMusic by Jef Neve Cinematography Ruben Impens Editing by Nico Leunen Distributed by Menuet
IDTVRelease date(s) 16 May 2009 Running time 108 minutes Country Belgium Language Dutch The Misfortunates (Dutch: De helaasheid der dingen) is a 2009 Belgian comedy-drama film from director Felix Van Groeningen, adapted from the book De helaasheid der dingen by Belgian writer Dimitri Verhulst. The film stars Koen De Graeve, Johan Heldenbergh, Wouter Hendrickx, Bert Haelvoet, Valentijn Dhaenens, Kenneth Vanbaeden and Gilda De Bal.
Contents
Critical reception
LA Weekly found Van Groeningen mixing "the visual exuberance of Trainspotting with the familial pathos of Angela’s Ashes",[1] whilst Variety described the film as starting out as an "extremely lowbrow comedy" but later "morphing into a bittersweet meditation on whether familial love and pride are enough to sustain a proper upbringing."[2]
Awards
The film won the Prix Art et Essai at the Cannes Film Festival's Quinzaine des Réalisateurs.[3] It also won three Golden Starfish Awards at the 17th Hamptons International Film Festival.[4] The film is the official Belgian entry for the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010 in the category Best Foreign Language Film.
References
- ^ Chuck Wilson (December 9, 2009). "The Misfortunates". LA Weekly. http://www.laweekly.com/2009-12-10/film-tv/movie-reviews-broken-embraces-paa-a-single-man-armored/2. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
- ^ Boyd Van Hoeij (17 May 2009). "The Misfortunates". Variety. http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=review&reviewid=VE1117940279&cs=1. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
- ^ ""Misfortunates" win in Cannes". Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep. May 23, 2009. http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/flanders%2Btoday/1.533389. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
- ^ Eugene Hernandez and Brian Brooks (12 October 2009). "“Misfortunates” Wins 3 at Hamptons Fest". indieWIRE. http://www.indiewire.com/article/misfortunates_wins_3_at_hamptons_fest/. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
External links
Categories:- 2009 films
- Belgian films
- Dutch-language films
- Films based on novels
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