Today, Flemish Minister of Culture Sven Gatz presented actor, dancer, choreographer and singer Sam Louwyck with the Flemish Culture Award for Film 2014 during the Evening on the Film Profession at Film Fest Gent. Thanks to his versatility and unique style, Sam Louwyck has been an eye-catcher in the film landscape for many years already. He is an international ambassador for Flemish talent.
The jury nominated Sam Louwyck for his cosmopolitan character. He stars in international productions and he always makes artistically well-thought-out choices. Think of ‘Bullhead’, ‘The Fifth Season’, ‘Ex Drummer’, ‘Any way the wind blows’. The actor has already built a very distinctive career. He readily uses his professional experience as a singer, dancer and choreographer in his acting performances, which makes his style one of a kind.
Last year in Cannes the Italian/Swiss/German co-production ‘Le Meraviglie' ('The Wonders’) by Alice Rohrwacher won the Grand Prix of the jury. This film was definitely not a flash in the pan. Louwyck plays an obstinate, selfish, but at the same time sensitive and caring father to four children who tries to keep his family as far away as possible from the modern world. The film showed Sam Louwyck’s acting style to great advantage.
Flemish Minister for Culture Sven Gatz said: “Sam Louwyck is an all-rounder. He is a dancer, a choreographer and a singer. He succeeds in subtly incorporating this baggage into the characters he plays as an actor, which allows him to shine in leading and supporting roles in film productions in Flanders and abroad.
The presentation took place at the end of an inspiration day for film screening organisations. The day on audience outreach entitled 'Tomorrow’s audience' was a joint initiative of Creative Europe Desk Flanders, Flanders Audiovisual Fund and Film Fest Gent. During the festival, you can see Sam Loucyck in three films and one serie: 'Brak' by Laurent Van Lancker, 'Les Cowboys' by Thomas Bidegain, 'D'Ardennen' by Robin Pront and 'Bevergem' directed by Gilles Coulier.
On the proposal of a jury of experts the Flemish Minister for Culture pays tribute to individuals or an organisation that, in the course of the past year, made a notable contribution to cultural life in Flanders. The Culture Awards Flanders create public awareness of the laureate at a major event in the sector, which generates attention and appreciation for both the sector and the winner.