Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2016: #40. Bavo Defurne’s Souvenir

Souvenir

Director: Bavo Defurne
Writers: Bavo Defurne, Jacques Boon, Yves Verbraeken

Belgian director Bavo Defurne moves from coming out narrative with his 2011 debut North Sea Texas to comeback story with sophomore effort, Souvenir (a title Joanna Hogg is currently using for her next project, expected in 2017). Liliane, a faded Eurovision singer now works in a pate factory, but a much younger man who happens to be an aspiring boxer, fancies her. Together, they stage a grand come back for the forgotten chanteuse. While this sounds offbeat and cute, Defurne scores Isabelle Huppert as his faded pop star and Kevin Azais, a recent Cesar winner for Love at First Fight (2014) as the younger man. This sounds like a far cry from Defurne’s first film, a solid Belgian drama about gay youth, which was distributed by Strand Releasing stateside in 2012. We look forward to seeing Huppert in a much lighter, significant lead role than we’re accustomed to (though recent titles by Marc Fitoussi and Serge Bozon have given her a chance to display her comedic skills).

Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Kevin Azais, Johan Leysen

Production Co.: Deal Productions, Indeed Productions, Frakas Productions

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. TBD (domestic/international)

Release Date: Since Defurne snagged iconic Huppert and rising star Azais to headline, this would be a high-profile item that could possibly show up at Critics’ Week or potentially Directors’ Fortnight.