True to tradition, the 41st Film Fest Gent is set to draw to a celebratory close with the World Soundtrack Awards Concert, the annual film music event which is now in its 14th year. The central guest is the American film composer and former Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Cliff Martinez. The second part of the WSA concert, which follows the academy ceremony, is largely dedicated to his creative collaboration with Steven Soderbergh, for whom he is the long-standing composer. Four of the nine scores that Martinez has written for Soderbergh are on the programme: Kafka (1991), The Underneath (1995), Solaris (2002) and Contagion (2011). Naturally, we also hear cues from his score for Nicolas Winding Refn's cult hit Only God Forgives (2013) starring Ryan Gosling. Martinez's soundscapes are enhanced, accompanied and given depth by the symphonic orchestrations of Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by Dirk Brossé.
The WSA also welcomes Dan Romer, our Discovery of 2013 and former frontman and acoustic guitar player from the indie pop-rock band Fire Flies. He has been awarded the title for his thrilling and heart-warming score for Beasts of the Southern Wild, winner of the Explorezone Award at Film Fest Gent 2013.
In keeping with the 41st festival's theme Cinéma Français, the legendary film composer Francis Lai is awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. The tribute to this composer and chansonnier who appeared to simply pull masterful popular melodies out of his sleeve undoubtedly includes his collaboration with Claude Lelouch, his greatest hit Love Story (1970) and the cult phenomenon Bilitis (1977).
In the Flemish section of this international evening, three selections are presented from the prestigious series In Vlaamse Velden with jazz musician Jef Neve.