The Belgian entry for the Oscars, 'Julie Keeps Quiet', did not get shortlisted for Best International Feature Film, the Academy revealed on Tuesday.
Two other Belgian entries made it onto the Academy Awards shortlist: the documentary 'Soundtrack to a Coup d'État' by Johan Grimonprez and the short animation film 'Beautiful Men' by Nicolas Keppens. The Flemish co-production 'Wander to Wonder' by Nina Gantz was also selected.
'Julie Keeps Quiet', Leonardo van Dijl's directorial debut, tells the story of a promising young tennis player, whose life revolves entirely around the sport. When her coach is suddenly suspended, the club launches an investigation. All the players are asked to share their experiences, but Julie stays silent.
'Soundtrack to a Coup d'État' is about the events in the aftermath of the assassination of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's first post-independence Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. This led to the decolonisation of several African countries. The story also shines a light on Andrée Blouin, a forgotten pioneer of female emancipation and independence in Africa. Blouin was Lumumba's right hand during his tenure as Congo's leader.
'Julie Keeps Quiet' director Leonardo Van Dijl. Credit: Belga / Timon Ramboer
'Beautiful Men' is a short animated film about three balding brothers who travel to Istanbul for a hair transplant. 'Wander to Wonder' is a short stop-motion/live-action animated film.
Additionally, the French film 'Emilia Pérez', co-directed by a Belgian production company and recently nominated for ten Golden Globes, is among the contenders.
The Oscars will be awarded on the night of Sunday 2 March 2025.
The previous Belgian Oscar entry from Flanders was Lukas Dhont's 'Close', which was also nominated. Other Belgian productions nominated for an Oscar were 'The Broken Circle Breakdown' (2013), 'Rundskop' (2011), 'Everybody Famous!' (2000) and 'Daens' (1992).
