Carposers is coming to Film Fest Gent

The idea began with a photograph of Angelo Badalamenti (1937–2022), the regular composer for director David Lynch. That image inspired Dewitte to create a series of portraits under the punning title Carposers. During the WSA editions of 2006, 2007 and 2008, he photographed a total of 24 composers (incorporated into 23 images) in a unique setting: a black 1982 Mercedes of Filip Standaert, with the city of Ghent as a backdrop.

The limitation of always using the same car and location forced Dewitte to come up with creative solutions. This resulted in powerful, graphic and often playful images. Such as David Arnold, composer of several James Bond films, whom Dewitte captured while tied up in the boot of the Mercedes.

Those photographed include Dirk Brossé, James Newton Howard, Nicholas Hooper, Craig Armstrong, David Arnold, Angelo Badalamenti, Harry Gregson Williams, Gustavo Santaolalla, Maurice Jarre, Daniel Tarrab, Andrés Goldstein, John Powell, Alex Heffes, Alberto Iglesias, Evanthia Reboutsika, Cyril Morin, Dario Marianelli, Douglas Pipes, Wolfram de Marco, Mychael Danna, Adam Nordén, Clint Mansell, Ramin Djawadi and Stewart Copeland. All of whom have contributed to the 25-year history of the World Soundtrack Awards. With work by some of these composers - including Craig Armstrong, Angelo Badalamenti and Mychael Danna - Film Fest Gent has also released several music albums over the past quarter of a century, entitled Music for Film (available to listen to on Spotifyand purchase via the webshop).

From Osaka to Ghent

The series was first exhibited in 2009 during the Osaka Film Festival in Japan, where Dewitte also published a book on the occasion of the 36th edition of Film Fest Gent, which focused on Japan. Former festival director Jacques Dubrulle wished him good luck in Osaka during the world premiere and hoped that the exhibition would one day also be shown in Ghent. The 25th anniversary of WSA is the perfect opportunity for this.

Kris Dewitte

Kris Dewitte has been turning photographing film stars into an art form for more than thirty years. He travels from festival to festival, but avoids the crowded red carpet. Instead, he often seeks out unexpected angles. He is also a familiar face on film sets, where he creates intimate and penetrating images. He was present on the sets of Close and Girl by Lukas Dhont, Annette by Leos Carax and Siberia by Abel Ferrara, among others.


Curious about Kris Dewitte's work? Be sure to visit the Film Fest Café (Kinepolis car park) during the festival from 8 to 19 October. A selection from the series will be on display. Admission is free.