Lanners shoots The Giants

20/08/2010

On August 9, Belgian actor-director Bouli Lanners began shooting on his third feature, The Giants. While Bouli the actor is well-known to Belgian audiences (in particular for having taken part in the 1990s TV adventure Snuls), Bouli the director only achieved national (and international) recognition in 2008.

After directing several acclaimed shorts, Lanners launched into features in 2005 with Ultranova [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bouli Lanners
film profile]. The film was an immediate critical success: it was selected at the Berlin Film Festival and caught the attention of the press, who were captivated by its blend of post-industrial Walloon landscapes and poetry.

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Lanners soon gained wider recognition: in 2008, his second feature, Eldorado [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], was selected in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight (where it scooped numerous honours, including the FIPRESCI Prize, Europa Cinemas Label Award and Regards Jeunes Award). Soon afterwards, it was released in Belgian theatres, where it was a remarkable hit with audiences, attracting over 40,000 viewers, which makes it a model of success for a Belgian Francophone feature.

At the same time, Lanners’s acting career has taken off, and he has appeared in many French films – in April, he finished shooting Dany Boon’s forthcoming film.

Needless to say, his third directorial feature is eagerly awaited. The Giants centres on the adventures of three teenagers left to their own devices in the (Belgian) countryside. “Forgotten” by neglectful parents, the youngsters get a taste of freedom one summer.

While the lead role is played by Martin Nissen (Angel At Sea [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), and Marthe Keller has a cameo appearance, Lanners has chosen a largely unknown cast. Shooting will last eight weeks, in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The Giants is produced by Lanners’s loyal partner Versus, in collaboration with France’s Haut et Court and Luxembourg’s Samsa Film. The film received backing from the CCA, the CNC, Wallimage, Film Fund Luxembourg and Tax Shelter, with support from Arte and RTBF.