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
Lorna is a young Albanian woman living illegally in Belgium whose desire for citizenship leads her into a dangerous world. In order to get the proper... Read more
Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself in this unique, existential heist thriller with a dark comic streak. Down and out, with only straight-to-DVD title... Read more
Cecile de France stars in the true story of Jeannine Deckers, international '60s pop icon Soeur Sourire, or The Singing Nun. Jeannine's dull parents w... Read more
This demented Belgian slasher thriller starts innocently enough with cabaret singer Marc (Laurent Lucas) having van trouble in the middle of nowhere.... Read more
Ben suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a type of autism that makes communicating with people difficult. But in the virtual world of online gaming he re... Read more
Lara, a 15-year-old girl who was born in a boy's body, is committed to becoming a professional ballerina. Read more
Director Paul Verhoeven covered everything in Hollywood from erotic thrillers to science fiction films, but the return to his native country (and lang... Read more
'Farinelli il Castrato'. A sumptuously filmed saga of two brothers in 18th century Europe, one a composer and the other a castrato opera singer. (Fari... Read more
Advertised as being 100% medically accurate, this outrageous horror film finds two stranded American tourists and a Japanese businessman held captive... Read more
'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