Belgium’s official entry for the Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars will be 'Julie Keeps Quiet,' directed by Leonardo Van Dijl, the Flemish Audiovisual Fund, VAF, announced on Friday.
The film, titled 'Julie Zwijgt' in Dutch, tells the story of Julie - played by Tessa Van den Broeck - a star at a tennis academy. When an investigation is initiated against her coach and players are called to testify, Julie chooses to remain silent.
The film marks the directorial debut of Kortrijk-based Leonardo Van Dijl, 33, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ruth Becquart. The film is co-produced by Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka’s company, Hana Kuma.
Premiered during the Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards, the film has been selected for other major festivals including Toronto, Melbourne, Hamburg, and London. It will be released in Belgian cinemas on 16 October.
Every year since 1957, the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invites countries to submit their best film for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category. These films must be produced outside the United States and primarily feature dialogue in a language other than English.
In Belgium, a jury equally composed of members of the French and Flemish communities selects the national entry each year.
The submitted films will be reviewed by the Oscars’ Foreign Language Committee, which will announce a shortlist of nine films on 17 December 2024.
Five finalists will be named on 17 January 2025.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles, California, on the night of 2-3 March 2025.
