King of the Belgians, the fourth feature film by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, won the KNF Award during the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2017. The KNF Award is given by Dutch film journalists:
“Our winner is an immensely likable film set in a parallel world that closely resembles ours. Through its humour and charming main character, it touches on themes that are urgent and meaningful in today’s world”
King of the Belgians tells the story about Nicolas III who is on a state visit in Istanbul when Wallonia, Belgium’s southern half, declares its independence. The King must return to save his kingdom. But a powerful solar storm distrusts all telecommunication and air traffic. The King and his entourage are now stuck in Istanbul. With the help of a Britisch filmmaker they manage to escape from Turkey, incognito among a group of Bulgarian singers. Thus begins an odyssey through the Balkans in which the King discovers real life and himself.
Main actors are the royal Peter Van den Begin, Titus De Voogdt, Lucie Debay and Bruno Georis. Other actors are Pieter van der Houwen, Nina Nikolina, Valentin Ganev and Goran Radaković. Director of Sound was Michel Schöpping, Ton Peters Director of Photography and David Verdurme editor.
King of the Belgians is a production of Bo Films in coproduction with Topkapi Films, Entre Chien et Loup (Belgium), and Art Fest (Bulgaria). Pamela Leu of Be for Films represents the film internationally. The film received support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Flanders Image, Netherlands Film Fund, Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Eurimages, Bulgarian National Film Center, Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Screen Flanders, Belgian Federal Government Tax Shelter, Casa Kafka Pictures, Casa Kafka Pictures Movie Tax Shelter empowered by Belfius and the Media Programme of the European Union.