Émilie Dequenne, a luminary in Belgian cinema, has tragically succumbed to cancer at the age of 43. The gifted actress garnered acclaim at just 18, winning the prestigious Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in "Rosetta" in 1999. Her impressive career saw her claiming another Cannes award for "À Perdre la Raison" (Our Children) in 2012, alongside a César for "Les Choses Qu'on Dit, les Choses Qu'on Fait" (The Things We Say, The Things We Do) in 2021.
Primarily recognized for her work in French-language films, Dequenne also showcased her talent on television as police officer Laurence Relaud in BBC's 2014 drama "The Missing." "Rosetta," directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, not only marked her film debut but also secured the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes in the same year.
Her first performance on camera made an indelible mark; Luc Dardenne lauded her ability to unite the team during filming, attributing much of the film's success to her portrayal. Dequenne made headlines again when she walked the Cannes red carpet just last year, a testament to her enduring impact on the film industry.
Among her notable works are "La fille du RER" (The Girl on the Train, 2009), "Pas Son Genre" (Not My Type, 2014), and the 2022 Cannes nominee, "Close." Tributes have poured in, including from French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, who mourned the loss of a precious talent in Francophone cinema. Tragically, in October 2023, Dequenne disclosed her diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare form of cancer affecting the adrenal glands. In one of her last heartfelt Instagram posts on World Cancer Day, she reflected on her challenging fight, stating, "What a tough fight! And we don't choose..."
