Ostend Film Festival opens with star for Koen De Bouw

Koen De Bouw and Peter Monsaert were immortalized on the Walk of Fame on the seawall near the Venetian Galleries. They were allowed to reveal their star in the presence of the entire cast of the new movie “Nowhere”.

“Nowhere” was the focus of the opening night of the Film Festival. Peter Monsaert is the director of the film and the lead roles are played by Koen De Bouw and Noa Tambwe Kabati. De Bouw plays André, an ex-truck driver who fixes up a remote job cafe. He takes homeless teenager Thierry under his wing after he catches him attempting to break in. The two become friends and it turns out that they need each other to put the past to rest.

This year De Bouw is also “the master” of the Ostend Film Festival. He is therefore allowed to release his own selection of films to the public. The Antwerp resident opts for the theme of mental health. He selected films such as “Beautiful boy” by Felix van Groeningen, “Der Himmel über Berlin” by Wim Wenders and “Spirited away” by Hayao Miyazaki.

The Ostend film festival runs until 12 March. Awards are also presented at the festival: the Ensors and the Jamies. The Ensors are the most important Flemish film and television awards, the Jamies are awarded to Flemish online video makers.