Brussels, with its beautiful landscapes and architecture, has always been a city of unique photography. So it’s hardly surprising that it’s been the location of many film shoots! With Bruxelles Secrète, take a look at ten films shot in our magnificent capital: from auteur biopics to American thrillers, this top list is sure to surprise you!
1. The Danish Girl
This biopic follows the life of Lili Elbe, a famous Danish artist who was the first woman to undergo gender reassignment surgery. It’s a cinematic masterpiece, driven by the incredible acting of Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. Director Tom Hooper, who was looking forArt Nouveau to film the Paris of the Roaring Twenties, stopped off in Brussels: at the Maison Horta, the cafés “À la Mort Subite” and “Le Falstaff”, but also at the Galerie de la Reine and the Parc de Bruxelles.
🎬 Running time: 2h. Directed by T. Hooper. With E. Redmayne and A. Vikander.
2. De Rouille et d’Os
Did you recognize the Sheraton Hotel in Brussels, the setting for the final scene of “De Rouille et d’Os”? This Franco-Belgian production about motor disability boasts a passionate pairing of actors, including the famous Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts. The film won four César awards in France in 2013.
🎬 Running time: 2h. Directed by J. Audiard. With M. Cotillard and M. Schoenaerts.
3. The Fifth Power
An American production shot in Brussels? This drama retracing the history of the WikiLeaks website was led by the DreamWorks team (hello Spielberg!). However, neither the latter, nor the presence of the formidable Benedict Cumberbatch in the cast could save the film from total flop: $8.6 million in takings (against $28M on its initial budget…).
🎬 Running time: 2h08. Directed by B. Condon. With B. Cumberbatch.
4. Cloclo
This formidable biopic recounting the life of the famous singer behind the hits “Alexandrie, Alexandra”, “Comme d’Habitude” and “Magnolias For Ever” was partly shot at the Hôtel Métropole, Cirque Royal, Ancienne Belgique, Église des Brigittines and Le Sablon. Claude François is played by the talented Jérémie Renier.
🎬 Running time: 2h28. Directed by F-E- Siri. With J. Renier, B. Magimel, M. Scattini.
5. L’Écume des Jours
This romance, directed by Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) and adapted from the novel, quickly became a cult film for many generations. Its star duo (Audrey Tautou and Romain Duris) lose themselves in a madcap poetry full of fantasy. Film locations include the Aegidium, the Verschueren brewery and the greenhouses of the Mesle botanical garden.
🎬 Running time: 1h34. Directed by M. Gondry. With A. Tautou and R. Duris.
6. Supercondriaque
Dany Boon needs no introduction as one of the kings of comedy in Belgium and France. In his film “Supercondriaque”, the actor reunites with his partner Kad Merad (after the phenomenal success of “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis”) for a whole new slice of laughter. The filming locations include the Bois de la Cambre!
🎬 Running time: 1h47. Directed by D. Boon. With D. Boon, K. Merad, A. Pol.
7. Dikkenek
This Belgian-style buddy movie is laugh-out-loud funny from the first minute to the last! Its five-star cast (Jean-Luc Couchard, Dominique Pinon, Jérémie Renier, Marion Cotillard, Mélanie Laurent) embarks us on the hectic adventures of two lifelong friends: JC and Stef, each more incredible than the last! The film features a glimpse of Anderlecht’s slaughterhouses and Place Poelart.
🎬 Running time: 1h24. Directed by O. Van Hoofstadt. With J-L. Couchard, D. Pinon, J. Renier.
8. The Boule & Bill series
This duo of films (the first released in 2012, the second in 2017) is a hilarious adaptation of the eponymous comic strips by Belgian author Jean Roba. Franck Dubosc and Marina Foïs bring these colorful characters to life in a world of surprises and adventures. The first installment, one of whose scenes was shot on Rue Haute in Brussels, was a big hit in theaters!
🎬 Running time (first part): 1h30. Directed by A. Charlot, F. Magnier. With M. Foïs, F. Bubosc.
9. Odette Toulemonde
This charming comedy by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt boasts an impressive cast, including Catherine Frot, Albert Dupontel and Jacques Weber. The story? A clumsy forty-something cosmetics saleswoman comes face to face one day with her favorite writer. Among the filming locations is the Hôtel Métropole in Brussels.
🎬 Running time: 1h40. Directed by E-E. Schmitt. With C. Frot, A. Dupontel and J. Weber.
10. The Brand New Testament
This wryly humorous comedy is based on the following premise: God exists, and he lives in Brussels. Starring the hilarious Benoît Poelvoorde, this Belgian, Luxembourg and French co-production (no less!) was presented at the Directors’ Fortnight of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Filming locations include the Bois de la Cambre in Brussels, as well as the canal and the Comte de Flandre station in Molenbeek!
🎬 Running time: 1h53. Directed by J. Van Dormael. With B. Poelvoorde, Y. Moreau, C. Deneuve.
Any other films shot in Brussels you’d like to share with us? Do it on our Instagram using the hashtag #bruxellessecrete!