Émilie Dequenne: Belgian Actress Dies at 43
The film industry mourns the loss of a talented actress, who left an indelible mark on the world of cinema with her powerful performances and inspiring story. Her memory will live on through her films and the countless lives she touched throughout her career.
Émilie Dequenne, the Belgian actress who rose to fame with the Dardenne brothers' film "Rosetta", has passed away at the age of 43 after a battle with a rare cancer. Dequenne had been diagnosed with a cancer of the endocrine system in 2023 and had publicly spoken about her fight against the disease.
Dequenne's career spanned nearly 50 films, including "La fille du RER", "À perdre la raison", and "Les choses qu'on dit, les choses qu'on fait". She won the award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 for her role in "Rosetta", which also won the Palme d'Or. Luc Dardenne, who directed Dequenne in her first role, remembered her as "an archangel struck by lightning" and praised her as "intuitive" and "very hardworking".
Dequenne's last film, "Survivre", was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, alongside the Dardenne brothers. Her death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from the film industry, with Jean-Pierre Dardenne describing her as "a generous, kind, and radiant woman" and "an enthusiastic and generous girl".
Dequenne's legacy will be remembered through her impressive body of work, and her bravery in speaking publicly about her cancer diagnosis. Her passing serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting research and awareness for rare cancers, and the need for continued support for those affected by these diseases.