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THE KID WITH THE BIKE to open the 29th FILMFEST MÜNCHEN

The latest film by Belgian directors Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne will open the Filmfest on June 24

"The Dardenne brothers have made one of the best films of the year", commented Festival Director Andreas Ströhl. "They have remained true to their social realism roots and continue to focus on the day-to-day lives of average people. They have made a superb, perfectly composed, balanced and emotional masterpiece. "

The film, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, is about a young boy who does not have it easy. Cyril lives in a home but keeps breaking out on his bike to search for the father who abandoned him. He gets to know Samantha, a young hairdresser, who takes him in on weekends. This is something totally new for Cyril because he has never known affection and care.

Young Thomas Doret, a discovery of the Dardenne brothers, stars in THE KID WITH THE BIKE along with actress Cécile de France who recently starred in Clint Eastwood's HEREAFTER.

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are among the most outstanding filmmakers in the world today. For thirty years and in more than 60 documentaries they have explored the lives of the working class and people on the fringes of society. Their feature films have won numerous international awards. Their films have been screened at FILMFEST MÜNCHEN many times: L'ENFANT (The Child) in 2005, ROSETTA (1999) and LE SILENCE DE LORNA (Lorna's Silence) in 2008.

Thomas Doret, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne will be present at the opening of the 2011 FILMFEST MÜNCHEN on June 24.