Belgian-born filmmaker Alain Berliner grew up to be a proponent of "magical realism", a mixture of fantasy and the everyday pioneered by fellow countryman Andre Delvaux in the late 1960s and early 70s. ("Every time there's a plot point, it can be solved in a magical way. It's much more interesting than solving a situation in a Hollywood way.") After his first directing experience as a student convinced him he did not handle actors well, Berliner initially contented himself with writing, first for commercials and later for Belgian features and French TV. After co-scripting the very successful
When young, escaped to screenings at Brussels' cinematheque (favorite directors were Billy Wilder, Federico Fellini and Tim Burton)
1987
Made a short movie while in film school and decided he was a bad communicator not suited for directing (date approximate)
Worked briefly on TV commercials before settling into screenwriting for Belgian features and French TV
1990
Was co-screenwriter of feature "Koko Flanel", starring Belgian funny-man Urbanus ("sort of our regional Chevy Chase"); film sold one million tickets in Belgium and another million in Holland
Earned living as a "reparateur de scenario" (script doctor)
