Dequenne, who won the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actress award at just 18, left a remarkable legacy in cinema and attracted tributes from the film community.
Tributes Flood In For Award-Winning Actress Émilie Dequenne, Who Has Died at 43
Tributes Flood In For Award-Winning Actress Émilie Dequenne, Who Has Died at 43
The renowned Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne, famous for her powerful performances, has passed away after a brave battle with cancer.
Award-winning Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne has died at the age of 43 after losing her battle with cancer. Known for her impressive performances, Dequenne garnered fame as a teenager when she won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the critically acclaimed film "Rosetta" in 1999. This marked the beginning of her impactful career in cinema, followed by another Cannes award for the film "À Perdre la Raison" (Our Children) in 2012 and a César Award for "Les Choses Qu'on Dit, les Choses Qu'on Fait" (The Things We Say, the Things We Do) in 2021.
Primarily known for her roles in French-language films, Dequenne also showcased her talent on television as the character Laurence Relaud in the acclaimed BBC drama "The Missing" alongside actor James Nesbitt. "Rosetta," directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, is a poignant narrative about a teenager's tumultuous life, and it became a collaborative triumph for Dequenne and the film crew.
The Dardenne brothers praised her extraordinary ability to bring the cast together, highlighting her remarkable presence on set. Following her ascent in the film industry, Dequenne continued to captivate audiences, returning to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in 2022 for the nomination of her film "Close."
The film industry mourns her loss, with French Culture Minister Rachida Dati honoring her contributions and lamenting the loss of such a gifted actress who had much left to give. Dequenne bravely shared her battle with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in October 2023, an adrenal gland cancer. In one of her poignant final posts, she reflected on her struggle during World Cancer Day in February, reminding us that “What a tough fight! And we don't choose...”
Dequenne's unforgettable performances will continue to inspire many in the world of cinema.
