**Émilie Dequenne: Celebrated Actress Passes Away After Brave Battle with Cancer**

**In a touching tribute, the legacy of the Cannes-winning actress, known for her poignant roles, is celebrated by fans and peers alike.**

Award-winning Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne has passed away at the age of 43 after a courageous battle with cancer. Dequenne rose to prominence after winning the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival at just 18 for her stunning performance in the film Rosetta in 1999. Over her illustrious career, she also picked up another Cannes accolade for À Perdre la Raison (Our Children) in 2012, and was honored with a César award, one of the highest recognitions in French cinema, for her role in Les Choses Qu'on Dit, les Choses Qu'on Fait (The Things We Say, the Things We Do) in 2021.

While primarily known for her work in French cinema, Dequenne gained international recognition for her portrayal of police officer Laurence Relaud in the 2014 BBC drama The Missing. Rosetta, directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, which clinched the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes, marked her cinematic debut. It tells a powerful story of a teenager's fight against adversity, an irony considering Dequenne was unemployed when she landed the pivotal role.

Luc Dardenne, who directed Rosetta, shared the profound impact she had on the film: "On her first day in front of the camera, her ability to unify the crew was palpable. She blossomed with every scene, and the film owes much of its success to her talent."

Dequenne attended the Cannes Film Festival as recently as last year, still embracing her role in the industry. In a poignant moment, she spoke openly about her diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), shedding light on her personal struggles. In one of her final posts on Instagram for World Cancer Day in February 2023, she relayed, "What a tough fight! And we don't choose..."

Tributes poured in following her passing, including a heartfelt message from French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, who remarked, "Francophone cinema has lost, too soon, a talented actress who still had so much to offer." Émilie Dequenne leaves behind a legacy that resonates deeply within the hearts of many.