The European Union Film Festival this year has a promising lineup of films spanning a variety of genres cinema lovers won’t want to miss
The cinema of Europe has for decades stood for its unique stories and style of storytelling, giving the world some of the best films and filmmakers in the last century. There are several independent films from Europe that are just marvelous, but fail to get recognition elsewhere due to lack of resources required to promote them.
The European Film Festival has for years been performing the task of giving international recognition to such films from the continent that also include some popular contemporary as well as classic films. Delhi’s annual European Union Film Festival has spent the last 21 years showcasing the best of European cinema in India. It’s bigger, better and more exciting this year, with a collection of 24 award-winning contemporary films that span a variety of genres like drama, romance, comedy, documentary and even animation.
The 21st European Union Film Festival which began on Friday, commenced with the screening of actor Gerard Butler’s English film Coriolanus. To commemorate 400 years of the death of William Shakespeare, the European Union and European embassies in partnership with local organisations, kick started the festival with a Ralph Fiennes directorial.
Inaugurated by EU Ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski, the festival which will screen 24 films from each countries in 11 Indian cities.
“Our objective is to have as many viewers as possible. In addition to the 11 cities where the films will be screened, the ministry of information and broadcasting will be screened at other venues in the capital. After viewing European movies, Indian audience will know Europe bit better and they will understand Europe more, which will be very much in favour of our future cooperation and mutual understanding,” Kozlowski said.
“We have brought in newer films this time. This is an unusual opportunity to watch movies from 24 countries. Some European countries are coming up with beautiful movies which are not known,” he added.
“We have increased number of movies which need to have some recognition and we have tried to find some which will appeal to the youth. There is a lot of response in India,” said EU delegation to India’s deputy head Cesare Onestini.
Some of the highlights from the festival include the stories of a 10-year-old abandoned boy Jack who picks up his six-year-old brother and finds his way to life on his own and an out-of-work illusionist who has a life-changing experience when he meets a young woman in Scotland.
