In Remembrance: Remy Belvaux

     Remy Belvaux, the director of the cult favorite black comedy Man Bites Dog (1992), has passed away on September 4, 2006 in Prry-la-Ville, France. He was 38.

     Born on November 10, 1967 in Namur, Belgium, Belvaux spearheaded the production of the dark comedy Man Bites Dog (aka C'est arrivé près de chez vous) in which a camera crew following a serial killer slowly finds themselves drawn into his world. In addition to directing the film and devising the story, he co-wrote the script with fellow co-producers Andre Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde and writer/actor Vincent Tavier. The film was independently shot on a very small budget, with Bevlaux having to frequently postpone filming until more money could be raised.

     When the film premiered at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival it caused an immediate sensation, with some critics praising the film while others decried the film’s levels of violence.

     Despite the film’s success, Belvaux never directed another film. Instead he directed several award winning commercials in Europe.