Matthias Schoenaerts

Birthday: 8 December 1977, Antwerp, Belgium

Height: 187 cm

Matthias Schoenaerts was born on December 8, 1977 in Antwerp, Belgium. His mother, Dominique Wiche, was a costume designer, translator and French teacher, his father is actor Julien Schoenaerts. He made his film debut at the age of 13, alongside his father in the Belgian film Daens (1992), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Schoenaerts enrolled in film school but was expelled for poor attendance in his second year. By age 21, he was enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Antwerp and was acting professionally in small roles on Belgian television and in Belgian film. By the time he graduated in 2003, Schoenaerts was already named one of "Europe's Shooting Stars" by the influential marketing organization, European Film Promotion.In 2002, he starred in Dorothée Van Den Berghe's directorial debut Meisje (2002), which was also his first feature film since Daens. With his role in Tom Barman's Any Way the Wind Blows (2003), he proved he was Flanders' young actor to watch.In 2004, Schoenaerts produced and starred in the short film A Message from Outer Space (2004). He also appeared in Ellektra (2004) alongside his father.In 2006, he had a small role as a member of the Dutch Resistance in Paul Verhoeven's Zwartboek (2006), and landed his first starring role in the Belgian film Dennis van Rita (2006), playing Dennis, a mentally-challenged man learning to adjust to life after a prison sentence for a rape he may not have committed.Though Schoenaerts garnered critical praise for his role in "Love Belongs to Everyone", the film that would make him a star in his homeland came in 2008, in Erik Van Looy's Loft (2008), Schoenaerts played Filip, one of a group of married friends who share the rent on a downtown loft as a place to meet their respective mistresses. The dramatic thriller was a smash hit, becoming the top-grossing Flemish film of all time. In the same year, he also starred in the horror film Linkeroever (2008).In 2009, he worked once again with director Dorothée Van Den Berghe, playing the hippie Raven in My Queen Karo (2009).In 2010, he played the lead role in Alex Stockman's techno-thriller Pulsar (2010).In 2011, Schoenaerts starred in Michaël R. Roskam's Rundskop (2011), playing Jacky Vanmarsenille, a cattle farmer who becomes entangled with the underworld of bovine hormones and steroids. Impressed by the script, Schoenaerts committed to star in the film in 2005, and over the five years that it took first-time director Roskam to secure financing, the actor transformed his naturally thin body into that of a steroid abusing brute. His powerful performance in the tragic role won awards at numerous film festivals and propelled "Bullhead" to an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012.In 2012, Schoenaerts got the lead role opposite Marion Cotillard in Jacques Audiard's De rouille et d'os (2012), in the film he played Ali, an ex-boxer who falls in love with Cotillard's character. Like Audiard's previous films, "Rust and Bone" received a breathless reception at the Cannes Film Festival with a ten-minute standing ovation at the end of its screening and was a critical and box office hit in France. Schoenaerts' performance in the film earned him a César Award for Most Promising Actor in 2013.Schoenaerts also starred in the Belgian short film Dood van een Schaduw (2012), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2013 and won the European Film Award for Best European Short.In 2013, he starred in Blood Ties (2013), after being recommended for the film by his former co-star in "Rust and Bone", Marion Cotillard.Following his breakthrough in "Rust and Bone", Matthias started a career in Hollywood and landed roles in American and British productions like Saul Dibb's Suite Française (2014), Alan Rickman's A Little Chaos (2014), Michaël R. Roskam's The Drop (2014) and Thomas Vinterberg's Far from the Madding Crowd (2015).In 2015, Schoenaerts returned to French cinema in Alice Winocour's Maryland (2015), in which he plays an ex-soldier with PTSD. He also played one of the leads of Luca Guadagnino's A Bigger Splash (2015), opposite Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, and played the art-dealer Hans Axgil in Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl (2015).He will reteam with Michaël R. Roskam in Le Fidèle (2017) and also with Thomas Vinterberg in Kursk (2018), in which Schoenaerts will play the Captain of a Russian submarine. Hide

I've been loving film ever since I was a teenager, so I was always interested in film or storytellin Show more I've been loving film ever since I was a teenager, so I was always interested in film or storytelling or the cinematography or the acting. All of the aspects that are part of movie-making interested me. It always spoke to me. There's so many ways to transcend energy through cinema. Hide

[on choosing screen projects] It's a combination of elements. Of course it starts with the screenpla Show more [on choosing screen projects] It's a combination of elements. Of course it starts with the screenplay and part of the creative team around it. It's an energy thing. If someone were to ask me to picture myself spending two weeks on a deserted island with this person, if the answer is 'yes' then I'm going to go. If we run out of conversation in thirty minutes, then why the fuck would you make a film with that person? Hide

I think the baddies are more interesting than the heroes. Why does everyone talk about the villains Show more I think the baddies are more interesting than the heroes. Why does everyone talk about the villains in Batman? It's because they are more fun to play, and you can see that onscreen. It's not just that I want to be an antagonist. It's that I look for stories that are ambiguous in nature and for characters who are complicated. People use the characters they see on TV and in movies to test their own values. So, as an artist, I wonder, What can I do to make the audience think differently about what good is, what bad is, who a man is, and who a woman is. Hide

True love is considering the person we love, considering what that person needs and how you can cont Show more True love is considering the person we love, considering what that person needs and how you can contribute to that. It's not about, "How can I get that person to do what I want?" That's not love. That's egotistical nonsense. Hide

[on the actors or directors that he'd like to work with - Indiewiere, April 2015] I don't remember t Show more [on the actors or directors that he'd like to work with - Indiewiere, April 2015] I don't remember the director [Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris], but I loved, for example, "Little Miss Sunshine." I loved "Nebraska" by Alexander Payne. Beautiful film. At the same time, I'd love to work with Will Ferrell. Just to be on set and watch him, and lie on the floor and crack up all the time. So yeah, I'm open. I did a comedy ["De President"], like, four years ago. I played a sidekick with a friend of mine. We played two sidekicks. Bulgarian gypsy types. That was fun. But I must say that I tend towards... the comedy should be really good, because otherwise I get bored after two days. I like to act a fool, but after two days I'm like, "Okay, I'm done with this. Now give me the meaty stuff. Hide

[on being a Hollywood man of the moment, with a string of movies on the docket - The New York Times, Show more [on being a Hollywood man of the moment, with a string of movies on the docket - The New York Times, 2013] It's been exciting, but at some point it drives me nuts. I haven't been here [in Antwerp] a lot this year. Next year I want to do two projects and not more. Four or five a year starts feeling like a grab-the-money-and-run show. Hide

Love is that indestructible conviction where in the end, love can conquer everything. And it's reall Show more Love is that indestructible conviction where in the end, love can conquer everything. And it's really, really, really true. Hide

I like to play underdogs and antiheroes. I don't like to play classical heroes. I like to play underdogs and antiheroes. I don't like to play classical heroes.

[on Gabriel Oak] I was fascinated by the absolute selflessness and sincerity and loyalty of that guy Show more [on Gabriel Oak] I was fascinated by the absolute selflessness and sincerity and loyalty of that guy. Hide

I hate it when people try to make you look like a pretty boy, I really don't like that. I always try Show more I hate it when people try to make you look like a pretty boy, I really don't like that. I always try to make myself look like shit when I do a role. Hide

[The Sunday Times, UK - April 2015] My biggest ambition is to live fully. I really, really wanna get Show more [The Sunday Times, UK - April 2015] My biggest ambition is to live fully. I really, really wanna get to the depth of life, in the purest sense of the word. Hide

[on Graffiti] I've been doing it ever since I was 13, 14. As a kid, I had a lot of books about paint Show more [on Graffiti] I've been doing it ever since I was 13, 14. As a kid, I had a lot of books about painters; I was totally absorbed and obsessed. It has a meditative effect on me because it doesn't involve so many people. Hide

[on being directed by Alan Rickman in A Little Chaos (2014)] He is one of a kind actor and beautiful Show more [on being directed by Alan Rickman in A Little Chaos (2014)] He is one of a kind actor and beautiful person. It's the first time I have been directed by an actor and that's quite something. You're being directed by an actor you appreciate and you know you will listen. I will listen and I will believe you and you have to be your own, and find it. He's the sweetest man. Hide

Yes, I am a romantic, but not in the way of candlelit dinners. It's more that I treat things in a se Show more Yes, I am a romantic, but not in the way of candlelit dinners. It's more that I treat things in a sensitive way. I believe loyalty is the nicest gift you can give anyone. It's worth more than a poem, a song or any other type of art. Hide

[on Jacques Audiard] I don't know if he's crazy. Maybe all the other ones are crazy for not being li Show more [on Jacques Audiard] I don't know if he's crazy. Maybe all the other ones are crazy for not being like him. He wants to film truth, he doesn't want to film acting. Acting for him isn't about tricks and vanity; it's about being simple and authentic and sincere. He's the first true actor's director I've ever worked with. Hide

[InStyle, December 2015] I see no reason to live in Los Angeles, except for the weather. In Antwerp Show more [InStyle, December 2015] I see no reason to live in Los Angeles, except for the weather. In Antwerp I live five minutes away from the house I grew up in. I'm still close with my friends, so being in this city gives me a place to rest, rejuvenate, and load up my batteries. I play a lot of sports here, like soccer and boxing. I paint. I read mostly philosophical works and sociological studies on modern-day societies. Hide

[he dismisses any notion of being typecast as a brooding, muscle-bound anti-hero] It's a matter of m Show more [he dismisses any notion of being typecast as a brooding, muscle-bound anti-hero] It's a matter of making good choices with the roles you pick. Of course, every once in a while some-thing comes my way that requires a certain physicality, but most of the time the parts are pretty diverse. I'm happy that people don't just think of me as some big, physical guy. They know I can act, too. Hide

[on if he could be anything in the world other than what he is, what would it be? - Interview magazi Show more [on if he could be anything in the world other than what he is, what would it be? - Interview magazine, May 2015] I think an architect. I don't know why, exactly. I don't have the mathematical structure for that, but I love architecture. Hide

[on playing tough characters] In appearance they might seem tough, but to me it's a fractured being. Show more [on playing tough characters] In appearance they might seem tough, but to me it's a fractured being. I like it when people label these people 'tough guys', because what I try to create or translate to the screen is the opposite. I like to break down that perception, so by the end of the film, those who have a notion or a judgment really care for the character, and see the soul instead of the package that they used to label. Hide

[on Marion Cotillard] She's not an angel, actually, she's a Goddess. She's an extremely devoted, pas Show more [on Marion Cotillard] She's not an angel, actually, she's a Goddess. She's an extremely devoted, passionate actress, true artist. I had a tremendous experience working with her, she's very generous and talented. Hide

[on his ideal woman] I need someone with a real passion for life; a person who's on a quest for trut Show more [on his ideal woman] I need someone with a real passion for life; a person who's on a quest for truthfulness. I find that incredibly attractive. They also need to be pretty independent, like a cat. If I could be any animal, I'd be a cat. They don't rely on anyone. In a relationship you have to trust each other - becoming dependent on one another isn't healthy. Also, cats don't 'have' to do anything - how great is that? Hide

I'm also an animal. I can also be a beast. I know about sex. I'm also an animal. I can also be a beast. I know about sex.

[on if he's prepared to overtake Jean-Claude Van Damme as Belgium's most famous actor] I've never un Show more [on if he's prepared to overtake Jean-Claude Van Damme as Belgium's most famous actor] I've never understood the fame aspect of it all. I want to enjoy what I do and that's all. And c'mon, you can't get bigger than Jean-Claude Van Damme. Hide

[De Morgen, February 2016] I'm not insensitive to female beauty. But I don't have to explain that ce Show more [De Morgen, February 2016] I'm not insensitive to female beauty. But I don't have to explain that certain beauties have the effect of a sleeping pill after 10 minutes. Because, of course, I meet people, who try to make me understand hysterically that I need them. People who like to stick to me. I can rather quickly distinguish the vampire from the butterflies. And furthermore I am better alone that badly accompanied. Hide

[on Rundskop (2011)] We all get damned in our lives, and there are ripple effects. One thing can det Show more [on Rundskop (2011)] We all get damned in our lives, and there are ripple effects. One thing can determine a life, and it's hard to overcome that if the event is really traumatic. Your life is completely condemned by it. Hide

[re family history] It's complicated. But when I was playing soccer, everything was fine. [re family history] It's complicated. But when I was playing soccer, everything was fine.

[on the first time he saw Marion Cotillard on the set of De rouille et d'os (2012)] I saw Marion bef Show more [on the first time he saw Marion Cotillard on the set of De rouille et d'os (2012)] I saw Marion before the rehearsal, she was in a wheelchair, she looked totally depressed and I thought ... 'It's not going to work out very well with Marion' and I thought 'What do I do? Should I talk to her?' It wasn't until we started rehearsing that I realized she was totally in Stéphanie's world already. She'd actually become Stéphanie. It made me really scared. She is an exceptional actress and she does everything to her utmost ability. Jacques Audiard is always highly demanding, very sensitive, highly intelligent and he enables us to expand and develop and move into areas that we might never have thought of, so I was very very happy to be in this film with Marion, to work with Jacques, it was overwhelming. It was a tremendous gift. Hide

[InStyle, December 2015] Reading makes me think more about how humankind is portrayed on film. I hav Show more [InStyle, December 2015] Reading makes me think more about how humankind is portrayed on film. I have a casting company called Hakuna that I acquired this August. Its focus is casting people of color. I hardly ever see people from different backgrounds onscreen. Flanders is actually more diverse than New York City. Yet so few of those people even dream of an acting career because it seems to impossible to imagine. That's what we're trying to change. Hide

[The Sunday Times, UK - April 2015] It's important for me to have my people around. And there are no Show more [The Sunday Times, UK - April 2015] It's important for me to have my people around. And there are not so many - it's not like I have a billion friends. If you have a billion friends, you need to ask yourself some questions, because something is definitely wrong. Hide

I'm attracted to people with flaws. I like people that are imperfect-the anti-heroes. I don't believ Show more I'm attracted to people with flaws. I like people that are imperfect-the anti-heroes. I don't believe in heroes. I think people can do heroic stuff, but I don't think people are heroes. I like ambiguous characters that you can hate at the same time, mostly for the same reason you like them. Hide

I don't want to be pinned down as just a physical actor. I understand that people may think I am, si Show more I don't want to be pinned down as just a physical actor. I understand that people may think I am, since Rundskop (2011) and De rouille et d'os (2012) popped up one year after another, but that's a coincidence. I've done a lot of different stuff. Hide

I watched endless films as a child - everything you could think of, from Ken Loach to David Lynch - Show more I watched endless films as a child - everything you could think of, from Ken Loach to David Lynch - but I never saw a career in acting coming. At a certain point people started telling me to go to America but I was never interested in hanging out in Hollywood. I never chased anything. Everything came naturally. Hide

[on being considered for the lead role in RoboCop (2014)] They [Belgian magazine Focus Knack] blew i Show more [on being considered for the lead role in RoboCop (2014)] They [Belgian magazine Focus Knack] blew it out of proportion. In the sense that, they were interested, but to me, it didn't feel like the right thing to do at that specific time. I thought it was too big, I thought I needed something else, to get more confidence, and not jump into this huge budget thing. But yes, they blew it out of proportion, I wasn't really happy with that. It feels disrespectful to José Padilha, who's a great director. Hide

[on the Shakespearean role that he would like to play - Irish Independent, November 2012] I guess Ha Show more [on the Shakespearean role that he would like to play - Irish Independent, November 2012] I guess Hamlet probably. I fell in love ever since the first time I read Hamlet, which is almost 20 years ago. I don't know if it's the most challenging, but it's just a very touching and interesting part. Hide

[on speaking three languages] It's part of our education [in Belgium]. And then, later on, I don't k Show more [on speaking three languages] It's part of our education [in Belgium]. And then, later on, I don't know. When we see American films, for instance, we have subtitles. We don't dub them, so you grow up with all these American films. So I probably picked up a lot from that as well. Hide

[on the person who helped his self-acceptance] My mother. She was always there for me, especially at Show more [on the person who helped his self-acceptance] My mother. She was always there for me, especially at the times I needed her most. She showed me how important I was to her and gave me those important feelings of self-worth. It's so important to love yourself. Life is a roller coaster and it's easy to lose your balance. Hide

I think language, for me, it frees me as an actor. I don't know, playing in another language gives m Show more I think language, for me, it frees me as an actor. I don't know, playing in another language gives me a lot of energy. It's freeing. It's liberating. And it offers you the opportunity to work in France and in the States as well so that's exciting because I think language, that's a sad thing. The National Academy of Dramatic Arts, we don't even learn French or English and that's the only thing I think we're missing in our dramatic education. Hide

[on the healing power of art - 2015 Venice Film Festival] I think, without sounding too knowledgeabl Show more [on the healing power of art - 2015 Venice Film Festival] I think, without sounding too knowledgeable, that beauty can save us and art is a search for beauty on many levels. Hide

I boxed a little when I was a teenager in Belgium, but I was pretty bad. I got punched a lot. For De Show more I boxed a little when I was a teenager in Belgium, but I was pretty bad. I got punched a lot. For De rouille et d'os (2012), I hit the boxing gym for five months on a daily basis. I just wanted to be believable. Yes, I did break my nose-but that's from something else. A friend kicked me in the face when we were teenagers. Twenty years later, I'm making a documentary about him-which proves that friendship can last forever. Hide

I like good cinema, whether it's small independent cinema or a huge project. For me it's all about, Show more I like good cinema, whether it's small independent cinema or a huge project. For me it's all about, is it going to blow people's minds, in a creative way, in an emotional way. That's the experience we're sharing with an audience when we go to a movie theater. Hide

Matthias Schoenaerts's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (25)

Far From The Madding Crowd

Rust and Bone

Close Enemies [Audio: French]

The Danish Girl

The Laundromat

The Loft

A Hidden Life

Brothers by Blood (The Sound of Philadelphia)

Black Book

The Regime - Season 1