Best of European cinema in Manila
In celebration of its 19th year, Cine Europa brings together 28 award-winning films from 19 countries, including the Philippines.
The annual festival, to be held at the Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong from Sept. 8 to 18, showcases the best of European cinema, along with Filipino films that have garnered accolades in French, Spanish and German events.
“Cine Europa is a living testimonial to the long-lasting friendship and the dynamic cultural cooperation between the European Union and the Philippines,” remarked Franz Jensen, the EU ambassador.
Jensen pointed out that the fest’s audience has grown from 20,000 in 1998 to 45,000 in 2015.
This year’s theme of friendship is particularly significant, in a time of crisis and strife, according to organizers.
“From climate change to security threats—no one can survive these global challenges alone,” said Jaco Beerends, deputy head of mission, the Netherlands.
“Friendship transcends frontiers,” related Carlos Madrid, director of Instituto Cervantes. “It goes beyond conflicts. Friendship is peace. It’s a universal language on its own.”
Italy is presenting the Filipino-Italian coproduction, Ruben Maria Soriquez’s “Of Sinners and Saints,” which won at the World Premieres Film Festival (Manila), World Film Awards in Jakarta and International Film Awards Berlin last year.
The other Filipino films in the lineup are: Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa,” which won best actress for Jaclyn Jose in the 2016 Cannes fest; Gabby Fernandez’s “Mana,” which won best actress for Cherie Gil and best feature at the 2015 Madrid International Film Festival, and Raymund Gutierrez’s “Imago,” which competed in the Shorts section of this year’s Cannes.
Films from other countries include: Alain Cavalier’s “Pater” and Helene Zimmer’s “Being 14” (France); Dominik Graf’s “Beloved Sisters” (Germany); Susanne Bier’s “A Second Chance” (Denmark); Arild Andersen’s “The Liverpool Goalie” and Joachim Renning and Espen Sandberg’s “Kon-Tiki” (Norway);
Jacek Lusinski’s “Carte Blanche” (Poland); Gerardo Olivares and Otmar Penker’s “Brothers of the Wind” (Austria); Felix van Groeningen’s “With Friends Like These” (2007) and Savina Dellicour’s “All Cats Are Grey” (Belgium); Amanda Adolfsson’s “Young Sophie Bell” (Sweden); Ines Paris’ “Miguel and William” (Spain);
Tonislav Hristov’s “Love & Engineering” (Bulgaria); Rastos Boros’ “Stanko” (Slovakia); Ibolya Fekete’s “Mom and Other Loonies in the Family” (Hungary); Maximilian Erlenwein’s “Stereo” (Germany);
Nicholas Hytner’s “The Lady in the Van” (United Kingdom); Julius Sevcik’s “Normal: The Dusseldorf Ripper” (Czech Republic); Inari Niemi’s “Summertime” (Finland); Mario Monicelli’s “My Friends” (Italy); Diederick Koopal’s “De Marathon” (the Netherlands); Cristina Iacob’s “Selfie” and Dan Chisu’s “Bucharest Nonstop” (Romania).
