Belgian director Remy Belvaux has died aged 38.
A statement issued by his family said that he had passed away last Monday in Orry-La-Ville, north of Paris. "He leaves us one masterpiece and tons of regrets," the statement said, referring to his cult film Man Bites Dog. The cause of death was not given.
Quad executive producer and close friend Nicolas Duval described Belvaux as "kind, genuine, and great fun to be with", adding that he would have laughed at what his legacy might have been such was his hatred of pomposity. Marcel creative directors Fred & Farid said: "Remy had a pure heart and pure soul. He wouldn't have hurt anyone on Earth. Always smiling, laughing, always enthusiastic. Remy was the little light you can see behind the camera."
Belvaux trained at the INSAS film school in Brussels, where he met Andre Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde. The three friends collaborated on a short film, Pas De C4 Pour Daniel Daniel in 1987 and later on the film for which Belvaux is best known, the controversial 1992 feature Man Bites Dog (C'est arrive pres de chez vous). Filmed in faux-documentary style, Man Bites Dog follows a film crew shadowing a serial killer. The graphically violent and blackly humorous film gained notoriety but also instant acclaim and several international awards, including the International Critics Prize at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival.
Despite this Belvaux never directed another film, choosing instead to concentrate on commercials. His subversive and quirky comedic style quickly gained him recognition and he fashioned a career as one of the world's best comedy directors. Signed to Quad Productions in Paris and London, he worked with the likes of Fred & Farid among others shooting award-winning commercials for brands including Ikea, Brandt, SFR, Charal and Total.
Remy was the brother of actor/director Lucas Belvaux and theatre director Bruno Belvaux. He is survived by his wife Odile.
