The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Cine Europa, with the theme “Celebrating the European Cultural Heritage” will have its screenings in Cebu City for the first time on September 27, 2018, as it celebrates its 21st year in the country.
The first-come first-serve film screenings will take place in Circa 1900, Alliance Francaise de Cebu, and Ayala Center Cebu City.
EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said that this new initiative came about to cater to the vibrant cultural landscape in the Visayan region.
In a press briefing, Jessen said, “It (the festival) is a way to promote knowledge, to promote ideas, and also to give other countries an idea about ‘What is your country about?’, “’What is it the thing that occupy people in European countries?”
Meanwhile, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño told in a Q&A that she really hopes that these kind of film festivals will encourage Filipinos to watch and be more interested on European movies, as this would raise the demand for other countries’ films to be showcased on local cinema theatres, so people can get to experience and watch films besides from the Hollywood ones.
Twenty-eight movies from 16 European Union Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom) as well as Norway will be screened this year.
For the press screening, the featured film is the Spanish entry “Bienvenido, Mister Marshall” a comedy that features a village whose inhabitants are disguised as Andalusians to welcome a personality. The fun starts with the deaf, naughty and, good-natured mayor who is seeking means to improve life in the village and a way to give life to the place.
This year’s Cine Europa is presented by and in connection with the European Union, 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Film Cultural Exchange Program.