The 52nd Rose d’Or Awards were held on Thursday night in Brussels, honoring the most creative entertainment television programs from around the world. Over forty countries participate, submitting nominees in each of the award’s six categories.
Mercury The Great Pretender
The 2013 winner for Arts program has gone to Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender, a film from Eagle Rock Entertainment for the BBC. The feature length film documents Mercury’s life with a concentration on his attempt to forge a solo career outside of Queen.
The film was directed by Rhys Thomas, an expert on the group and the filmmaker behind the 2011 BBC documentary Queen: Days of Our Lives. Thomas used archive footage including rare interviews, live performances and personal material to draw out a portrait of the artist that is often quite different from his flamboyant public persona.
Thomas said of his win “I am over the moon. Winning the Rose d’Or for what was essentially a lifelong dream and hobby, couldn’t be more thrilling. This really was a labour of love for me, I wanted to make a documentary that captured Freddie’s humour as well as his talent and achievements. From the reaction from fellow fans and now recognition from BAFTA and The Rose d’Or, it seems I have done something right.
“Thanks Freddie!”
