Manneken Pis is a 1995 Belgian comedy-drama film directed by Frank Van Passel and written by Christophe Dirickx. It premiered in May 1995 at the Cannes Film Festival. It received the André Cavens Award for Best Film and four awards at the Joseph Plateau Awards. The film was selected as the Belgian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 68th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
Contents
Plot
Every morning in Brussels, the orphan Harry, to go to wash the dishes, takes the tram driven by Jeanne who, by chance, lives in the same building: she is extroverted and cheerful, he is shy and clumsy, with a trauma behind him that prevents him from saying "I love you".
They attract and repel each other, dragged by a feeling that goes beyond everyday life, but drama is always lurking.
Cast
Frank Vercruyssen as Harry
Antje de Boeck as Jeanne
Ann Petersen as Denise
Wim Opbrouck as Desire
Awards and nominations
1995 Cannes Film Festival
Winner Award of the Youth - Best Foreign Film
Winner Mercedes-Benz Award
Winner Grand Golden Rail
1995 Joseph Plateau Awards
Winner Best Belgian Film
Winner Best Belgian Actor: Frank Vercruyssen
Winner Best Belgian Actress: Antje de Boeck
Winner Best Belgian Director: Frank Van Passel
Brussels International Film Festival
Winner Best Belgian Film (1996)
Belgian Film Critics Association
Winner André Cavens Award: Best Film (1995)
1995 Montréal World Film Festival
Winner First Film Prize (1995)
Winner FIPRESCI Prize (1995)
1995 Valladolid International Film Festival
Winner Best actress: Antje de Boeck (1995)
Best film nomination (1995)
Chicago International Film Festival
Winner Special Jury Prize, Director: Frank van Passel (1995)
Winner Gold Plaque: Best Film (1996)
Changchun Film Festival
Winner Golden Deer (1996)
Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival
Winner Special Jury Prize: Frank Van Passel (1996)