Dequenne leaves behind a rich legacy in film, having mesmerized audiences with her powerful roles and earned numerous accolades throughout her career.
Émilie Dequenne: A Luminary of French Cinema Lost to Cancer
Émilie Dequenne: A Luminary of French Cinema Lost to Cancer
Award-winning actress celebrated for her remarkable talent and poignant performances dies at 43.
Émilie Dequenne, the renowned Belgian actress who captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, has tragically passed away at the age of 43 following a battle with cancer. Recognized for her extraordinary talent, Dequenne first gained international acclaim when she secured the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in the poignant film "Rosetta," directed by the Dardenne brothers, in 1999 at just 18 years old.
Dequenne's career continued to flourish as she garnered yet another Cannes recognition for "À Perdre la Raison" (Our Children) in 2012 and received a prestigious César award for her role in "Les Choses Qu'on Dit, les Choses Qu'on Fait" (The Things We Say, the Things We Do) in 2021. Though she primarily acted in French-language cinema, she also showcased her versatility in English-speaking roles, notably as police officer Laurence Relaud in the acclaimed BBC drama "The Missing," which aired in 2014.
"Rosetta," a heart-wrenching story of a young girl striving to escape her struggles, marked Dequenne's cinematic debut. Just prior to being cast, she faced unemployment after losing her job at a food factory. Renowned director Luc Dardenne credited her outstanding talent for rallying the film crew, stating: “She was magnificent and the film owes a lot to her.”
Her remarkable journey continued as she graced the Cannes red carpet yet again at the previous year’s film festival. Among her other 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." The announcement of her passing elicited heartfelt tributes, with French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati acknowledging the loss to Francophone cinema and lamenting the untimely departure of such a gifted actress.
Earlier in October 2023, Dequenne bravely shared with her fans that she was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a fierce and rare form of adrenal cancer. In one of her last moving Instagram posts during World Cancer Day in February, she reflected on her difficult fight against cancer, emphasizing, "What a tough fight! And we don't choose..." Dequenne’s legacy in the world of cinema will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
