Dutch & Belgian Cinema
Like New Zealand, Belgium and the Netherlands have small populations and consequently small film budgets that rely heavily on government funding. As a result film makers from these countries, like our own, have a reputation for innovative methods and a roll-your-sleeves-up attitude. When Dutch director Paul Verhoeven first moved to Hollywood he was stunned by the excess of the industry there; his second U.S. film, 'Robocop', contains many digs at the ultimate consumerist society that were not in the original script he was given. In 1992 three Belgian film students released their daring and controversial film, 'Man Bites Dog'; made on a shoe-string this film proves the point that it doesn't take great amounts of money to make great films - just plenty of imagination, dedication and a fair amount elbow grease.
Pictured: A scene from castrato Farinelli's colourful and eventful life
Close (2022)
7.8/10
Director: Lukas Dhont
Starring: Emilie Dequenne, Lea Drucker
The intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approa... Read more
Playground (2021)
7.3/10
Director: Laura Wandel
Starring: Karim Leklou, Laura Verlinden
When Nora witnesses Abel being bullied by other kids, she rushes to protect him. But Abel forces her to remain silent. Caught in a conflict of loyalty... Read more
Girl (2018)
7.2/10
Director: Lukas Dhont
Starring: Victor Polster
Lara, a 15-year-old girl who was born in a boy's body, is committed to becoming a professional ballerina. Read more
Brimstone (2016)
7.1/10
Director: Martin Koolhoven
Starring: Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Kit Harington, Emilia Jones, Carice Van Houten
'Brimstone' is an epic thriller set in the old west. A triumphant tale of powerful womanhood and resistance against a violent past that refuses to fad... Read more
Brimstone (Blu-ray) (2016)
7.1/10
Director: Martin Koolhoven
Starring: Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Kit Harington, Emilia Jones, Carice Van Houten
'Brimstone' is an epic thriller set in the old west. A triumphant tale of powerful womanhood and resistance against a violent past that refuses to fad... Read more
Raw (2015)
7/10
Director: Julia Ducournau
Starring: Ella Rumpf, Garance Marillier
Stringent vegetarian Justine (Garance Marillier) encounters a decadent, merciless and dangerously seductive world during her first week at veterinary... Read more
The Brand New Testament (2015)
7.1/10
Director: Jaco Van Dormael
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Benoit Poelvoorde, Francois Damiens, Yolande Moreau, Pili Gro...
In Belgian director Jaco Van Dormaels universe, God (Benoit Poelvoorde) is a mean-spirited bastard lounging around his Brussels apartment in dressing... Read more
The Salvation (2014)
6.7/10
Director: Kristian Levring
Starring: Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eric Cantona, Mikael Persbrandt
1870, America. Danish immigrant Jon (Mads Mikkelsen) has been waiting for years to bring his wife and son to the United States. When he finally succee... Read more
Two Days, One Night (2014)
7.4/10
Director: Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Starring: Fabrizio Rongione, Marion Cotillard
Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one w... Read more
The House of Magic ( Blu-ray ) (2013)
6.3/10
Director: Ben Stassen, Jeremie Degruson
An utterly charming and marvellously realised effort across the board, this action-packed fantasy adventure comes from the Belgian animation studio re... Read more