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To celebrate the 25th year of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in the Philippines, the 19th Cine Europa film festival will highlight its chosen theme of friendship in the 24 European films, including an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, and four Filipino movies it will screen for free at the Shangri-La Plaza mall’s Shang Cineplex from Sept. 8 to 18.
In a statement, EU Ambassador to Manila Franz Jessen said this year’s festival “underscores the cultural cooperation and friendship between the EU and the Philippines as it pays tribute to Filipino filmmakers, such as [Filipino-Italian Ruben Maria] Soriquez, [Brillante] Mendoza, [Ruben Ribay] Gutierrez, [Gabby] Fernandez [and producer Alemberg] Ang, whose works have been acknowledged in Europe.”
Films by these directors will be shown and followed up with question-and-answer sessions at the Shang Cineplex: Mendoza’s Ma’ Rosa and Gutierrez’s Imago (Image) on Sept. 10, which will also feature a talk by Ang, titled “Ang Matalinong Panonood ng Pelikula (How to Watch Films Intelligently)”; and Soriquez’s Of Sinners and Saints—about an Italian priest assigned to a parish in Payatas, Quezon City, who meets a former girlfriend and tries to save her from her abusive husband—and Fernandez’s Mana (Inheritance) on Sept. 17. These screenings are part of the festival’s educational component.
Of all the films in Cine Europa’s main lineup, the most notable is Norway’s Kon-Tiki, the 2013 Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee for best foreign language film about Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl’s legendary 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean. The Scandinavian nation also has a second film in the festival, The Liverpool Goalie, which focuses on 12-year-old Jo, who desperately searches for a rare football card that he believes will solve all his problems.
Another Golden Globe nominee on the list is the United Kingdom’s The Lady in the Van, which stars two-time Oscar winner Maggie Smith as a homeless woman named Mary Shepherd who “temporarily” parked her van in acclaimed playwright Alan Bennett’s London driveway and ended up living there for 15 years.
Two movies
Like Norway, several other countries have two films in this year’s Cine Europa. One is Belgium, which presents All Cats are Grey, about a rebellious upper-class teenager named Dorothy who is looking for her biological father and enlists the help of a kindhearted amateur detective named Paul, who turns out to be the subject of her search; and With Friends Like These, which tells the story of a woman called Black Kelly who returns home and disrupts the lives of her old friends and gives them some trouble.
Another is France, represented by Being 14, about high-school seniors Sarah, Jade and Louise, who try to deal with the challenges of adolescence; and Pater, in which moviegoers will see actor Vincent Lindon and actor-director Alain Cavalier film each other and portray characters that they invented together.
As for Germany, it offers two totally different movies: Beloved Sisters, which centers on the love triangle between aristocratic sisters Caroline and Charlotte and the writer Freidrich Schiller, a contemporary of renowned German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; and Stereo, about a motorbike-workshop owner named Erik, whose quiet life is suddenly disrupted by shady characters.
In addition to Of Sinners and Saints, Italy also has My Friends, which shows four middle-aged friends trying to prolong the childhood they maintained through adulthood by organizing idle pranks called “gypsy shenanigans.”
Romania’s entries to Cine Europa are Selfie, about new high-school graduates Yasmine, Roxi and Ana who go on a trip to immerse in a rebellious teenage lifestyle, breaking the rules without thinking of the consequences; and Bucuresti Nonstop, which tells the story of four ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations who have one thing in common: Achim’s 24/7 NonStop store.
Strong bond
Also in the lineup are Austria’s Brothers of the Wind, about a boy named Lukas who develops a strong bond with an eagle that fell from its nest, which he cared for and named Abel.
Bulgaria’s Love & Engineering tells the story of Atanas, a computer engineer who develops a formula to find the perfect wife. He uses other engineers as guinea pigs and sends them out to test his theories in the real world.
Czech Republic’s Normal: The Düsseldorf Ripper is about a serial killer named Peter Kuerten, who turns himself over to the police, and a young lawyer named Justus Wehner, who takes on his case but finds himself losing control as he studies Kuerten’s mind.
Denmark’s A Second Chance focuses on two best friends, who are both detectives, trying to solve a case brought about by a drug-addicted couple.
Finland’s Summertime is a warmhearted and funny movie about how the friendship between 25-year-old Karoliina, Iiris and Eeva stands strong, despite their individual hardships.
Hungary’s Mom and Other Loonies in the Family puts at its center an odd family living during the last century that’s filled with heartwarming and mischievous events.
The Netherlands’ De (The) Marathon tells the story of best friends Gerard, Leo, Kees and Nico trying to find a sponsor who will pay them to run in the Rotterdam marathon, in the hopes of saving their garage business from bankruptcy.
Inspired by a true story, Poland’s Carte Blanche is about a beloved history teacher who tries to hide the fact he is about to become blind, so that he can keep his job and continue helping his students.
Slovakia’s Stanko is a tragicomic movie that deals with women trafficking and the universal bonds of people marginalized by society.
Spain’s Miguel y William shows the affairs a woman named Leonor de Vibero had with the iconic writers William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.
Sweden’s Young Sophie Bell narrates how best friends Alice and Sophie dream of living in Berlin, but their plans change after the former disappears, and the latter embarks on a journey full of exciting discoveries.
After its run at the Shang Cineplex, Cine Europa will move to the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) Cinematheque in Baguio City from Sept. 20 to 25 and in Iloilo City from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2; Ayala Center Cebu mall in Cebu City from Oct. 7 to 9; FDCP Cinematheque in Zamboanga City from Oct. 12 to 16; University of the Philippines in Tacloban City, Leyte province, from Oct. 18 to 23; FDCP Cinemathque in Davao City from Oct. 25 to 30; Visayas State University in Baybay town, also in Leyte, from Nov. 8 to 13; Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro City from Nov. 15 to 20; Palawan State University and Robinsons Place Puerto Princesa mall in Palawan province, from Nov. 22 to 27; and FDCP Cinematheque in Manila from Dec. 6 to 11. ALVIN I. DACANAY
For schedules and other inquiries, call (632) 370-2597 or 98 or visit www.facebook.com/EUDelegationToThePhilippines or www.facebook.com/ shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage.
