Waste Land featuring Jérémie Renier selected for Official Competition at Film Fest Gent

‘Waste Land’, the third feature by Pieter Van Hees, has been selected for the official international competition at the 41st Film Fest Gent. This will be the European premiere, after having its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. Jérémie Renier (‘Cloclo’, ‘Saint Laurent’) and Natali Broods ('The Misfortunates’) star in the final chapter of Van Hees’ trilogy: ‘Anatomy of Love and Pain

The story centres around homicide detective Leo Woeste who deals with Brussels’ grim underbelly on a daily basis. When his wife unexpectedly becomes pregnant, his convictions start to crumble. His very last homicide case, involving a death-obsessed dealer in Congolese cult statues, slowly drags him deeper into the waste land.

The official competition is an important part of Film Fest Gent. An international jury will award two prizes: The Grand Prize for Best Film and The Georges Delerue Award for Best Soundtrack. Each containing a considerable distribution reward and media campaign. American author and screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis ('American Psycho', 'The Canyons') will preside over the international jury. (read more on Ellis at FFG here).

Koen Mortier and Eurydice Gysel produced the film for production outfit Epidemic ('Ex-Dummer', '22nd of May', 'Borgman'). International sales will be handled by Be for Films. 'Waste Land' received support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund / Film Fund of Flemish Cultural Affairs Minister Sven Gatz.

The 41st Film Fest Gent will run from 14 to 25 October in Belgium. All info and tickets on www.filmfestival.be.