On the evening of November 4, 2013, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium arrived at the Euroscoop (movie theatre) in Genk to attend the première of Mr. Stijn Coninx’s film, Marina.

The film is based on the true story of Belgian-Italian singer and songwriter, Rocco Granata.  Via a press release regarding the film: 

“Calabria, Italy, 1948. Salvatore Granata, a poor ironsmith, has to leave the country for a job as a coalminer in Belgium. His spirited 10-year-old son Rocco keeps enjoying the warm Italian life. But after one year, Salvatore, urges his family to come over.

By the time Rocco arrives in Waterschei, a small mining town in Belgium, his excitement turns into grave disappointment. The immigrants are housed in miserable barracks. He doesn’t speak the language, people are more distant, the weather is cold and… they still are poor.

While his parents find security in the immigrant community, the son tries to adapt to his new surroundings. But he remains a second-class citizen. When Salvatore understands what’s going on, he tells his son that he needs a dream to hang on to. From then on Rocco starts doing what he does best: playing music.”

Click here to view photos.

Trailer for the film Marina

On the evening of November 4, 2013, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium arrived at the Euroscoop (movie theatre) in Genk to attend the première of Mr. Stijn Coninx’s film, Marina.

The film is based on the true story of Belgian-Italian singer and songwriter, Rocco Granata.  Via a press release regarding the film: 

“Calabria, Italy, 1948. Salvatore Granata, a poor ironsmith, has to leave the country for a job as a coalminer in Belgium. His spirited 10-year-old son Rocco keeps enjoying the warm Italian life. But after one year, Salvatore, urges his family to come over.

By the time Rocco arrives in Waterschei, a small mining town in Belgium, his excitement turns into grave disappointment. The immigrants are housed in miserable barracks. He doesn’t speak the language, people are more distant, the weather is cold and… they still are poor.

While his parents find security in the immigrant community, the son tries to adapt to his new surroundings. But he remains a second-class citizen. When Salvatore understands what’s going on, he tells his son that he needs a dream to hang on to. From then on Rocco starts doing what he does best: playing music.”

Click here to view photos.

Trailer for the film Marina

On November 4, 2013, His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium held a luncheon meeting at Château de Laeken with the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso, and with President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy.

Please click here to view photos.