‘You’re Dead Hélène’ Director Michiel Blanchart and Producer Sam Raimi on Live Action Short Film Oscar Contention
variety.comClayton Davis The horror genre is often overlooked and underappreciated in awards spaces. That’s what makes “You’re Dead Hélène” from Michiel Blanchart, which is one of the shortlisted contenders for live action short, an exciting addition to the Oscar conversation.After dreaming of working in the movies and making shorts with his friends while growing up in France’s countryside, Blanchart decided to go back to his native country to study in one of the best-known cinema schools in Belgium: the Institute of Media Arts.
He directed several shorts both in and outside of the school curriculum during his time there, including “L’Annonce,” “Lulu” and “Dynaman,” which went on to play at multiple festivals in Belgium, two of which ended up winning the BeTVaward (at the Brussels Short Film Festival and the FIFF in Namur).
In an exclusive interview with Variety, director Blanchart and producer Sam Raimi, best known for his horror “The Evil Dead” trilogy and the Tobey Maguire-led “Spider-Man” trilogy, sit down to discuss their union for the project.
The pair are planning a feature length expansion of the short film. TriStar Pictures acquired the rights to the supernatural romantic comedy “You’re Dead Hélène,” which is based on the award-winning short film written and directed by Blanchart.
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