Felix van Groeningen
Directing
Biography
Felix van Groeningen (born 1 November, 1977; Ghent) is a Belgian filmmaker. He is known for The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012) and Belgica (2016), with the former being nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards. He made his English-language debut with the biographical drama Beautiful Boy (2018). Van Groeningen was born in Ghent. His parents were hippies who led a very liberal lifestyle. He has an older brother, Seppe. After his parents' divorce, they lived in the same house, but each with a new partner. His father started a live music club 'The Charlatan' when he was twelve-years-old, which became the inspiration for his film Belgica. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK) and graduated in 2000 with a Masters of Audiovisual Arts, his masters thesis was the short film 50CC. After graduating from college, van Groeningen directed several short films, and written and directed several stage plays. He embarked on a long-term collaboration with Dirk Impens, originally his professor at KASK, who produced all five of Van Groeningen's feature films from 2004 to 2016 under his production company Menuet. Impens announced he was closing down Menuet in July 2017. He and Belgian actress Charlotte Vandermeersch have a son, Rufus, who was born in 2018. He is fluent in several languages, including Flemish Dutch, French, and English.
Known For
After he and his first wife separate, journalist David Sheff struggles to help their teenage son, who goes from experimenting with drugs to becoming devastatingly addicted to methamphetamine.
Beautiful Boy
An epic journey of friendship and self-discovery set in the breathtaking Italian Alps, The Eight Mountains follows over four decades the profound, complex relationship between Pietro and Bruno.
The Eight Mountains
The loss of their young daughter threatens to destroy the love and faith of two married musicians.
The Broken Circle Breakdown
After an affair comes to light, a couple's world unravels. Through confronting painful truths, they discover their crisis becomes a path to deeper connection and a new understanding of love.
Let Love In
13-year-old Gunther Strobbe grows up surrounded by alcohol, trash and his completely useless father and uncles. Slowly but surely, he's being prepared for the same hapless life. Can he defy his destiny?
The Misfortunates
The story of two brothers who, even though they have absolutely nothing in common, open a bar together that quickly becomes a regular hangout for nighthawks. Despite the success, they must soon face up to the difficulties inherent in running a family business. Their brotherhood turns into rivalry, through no fault of their own.
Belgica
After more than forty years apart, Andreas and Claire embark on an affair as reckless and intense as when they were young lovers. Widowed musician Andreas decides to get back in touch with his one great love, Claire, who is still married to her first husband, John. Andreas and Claire find that the connection they shared when they were young is still there and they soon become involved in a rekindled love affair.
Innocence
Overview of the history of cinema in Flanders.
Hollywood on the river Scheldt
A story about two struggling people who are trying to find their own place in the world. He is a small-time crook recently released from prison and she is a prostitute craving some love and affection. They find each other in an obscure part of Gent. Jean-Claude is responsible for their meeting ; he is also an ex-inmate who has just traded the low-life crime scene for life as a pimp. Will their love survive?
Steve + Sky
When Black Kelly gets back from New York, she discovers that more has changed than just her hair color while she's been away. Frederic found himself a girlfriend and plans to move. Kurt and Blonde Kelly live together with their one-year-old child. And Patrick's gone. Reunited with the old gang, Black Kelly realizes that life went on during her absence and that things will never be the same...
With Friends Like These
A film about the things of life: girls, boys, scooters… Anyway, you know how it is.
50CC
Short film.
Truth or Dare
On a hot summer night, Saïd makes an intimate videoletter. The death of an adolescent who looks you straight in the eyes. One camera, one shot and one beautiful human being.
Bonjour Madam
Lex doesn't have any ticket for the football match between Belgium and Turkey and out of superstition, refuses to watch it on television. At home, everyone annoys him: his sister Vanessa, his stepfather Christian, and finally his mum, Julie. Only Maria Callas can bring him a little peace.