The 18th European Film has ‘Celebrating Women' as its theme. The stories have parallels around the world, writes Shana Maria Verghis
It appears the European Union has non-discriminatory legislation against women, which allows them paid maternity leave. For example, if they take a year off to care for a newborn, their absence will be included as part of their salary. But does this actually happenIJ
Pavel Svitil, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to India commented, “It takes time for change to take place, because of traditional roots. But the process is going on. Particularly among the younger generation. In the Nordic countries in particular, you will notice that leadership is changing, with more women in positions of power.”
Svitil was introducing us to the launch of the 18th European Union festival, of which he has been a part for about four years. lately they have been featuring movies based on themes such as love or laughter. This time, the subject is love. Most of the films date to 2011 and earlier.
One called Fast Girls, was made in UK last year. “Its about the rivalry between two young athletes. It deals with young women,” explained Svitil.
A drawback of the event is no director, actor or actress will be visiting. Well not Delhi.
So the interactions will be limited to film screenings that will take place from May 8. Venues are Alliance Francaise, Instituto Cervantes, the Hungarian Cultural Centre, British Council and Italian Cultural Centre. However, we will see movies “that have received numerous awards from festivals such as Cannes.” One will also receive an introduction to films from countries like Malta and luxembourg. Their entire populations are probably far less than Delhi!
Svitil also shared that the films, “are not political, although sometimes the story is set against a political backdrop.” Take Altiplano, a film from Belgium that dates to 2008. “In this one, a woman war photographer stops taking pictures after her experience with violence in Iraq,” Svitil stated.
Ezter’s Inheritance from (Hungary, 2008) is based on a novel and set before World War II.
On a different note there is House, a Slovak film about a generation clash between father and daughter. “The woman wants to study abroad and leave her home, while her father wants her to build a house and be secure.” Svitil shared there were “no” atypical films about modern-day Europe.
Or even stories that had occurred during the Recession. Instead, what we have are plots about various issues that women face. And in some ways it is not that different around the world.
So it shows what we and India, for instance, have in common.
And one understands that ‘Europe’ does not signify one homogenous unit, but a lot of states. EU currently has 27 members.
Single mums, a sex-shop worker and a teacher are some of the heroines of these films.