The film was premiered in Los Angeles at the Aero Theatre and the evening was hosted by Consul General of Belgium, Geert Criel late last week.
Directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse, Illégal, is the story of Tania, an illegal Russian citizen, who lives in Belgium. Early into the film she is separated from her 14-year-old son Ivan by immigration authorities and ends up in an overcrowded detention centre in deplorable conditions.
Belgian actress, Aanne Coesens, who gives a tour-de-force performance as her character tries to avoid deportation and be reunited with her son. Her acting and that from the supporting cast have been rated highly by critics giving the film an early Oscar buzz.
The screening was part of a series called Grit and Whimsy: Recent Belgian Cinema and is a celebration of the country’s cinematic output.
Organized by American Cinematheque, the series continues every third Wednesday into December and supported by the Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, Flanders Image and Wallonie Bruxelles Images and ELMA (European Languages and Movies in America).
It is hoped the series will be continued next year.
