Cine Europa exposes its filmmakers’ eclectic hopes and dreams

PARTICIPATING Philippine movies: Ralston Jover’s “Bakal Boys,” left, and Doy del Mundo’s “Paglipad ng Anghel”

The annual Cine Europa Film Festival celebrates its 15th year with 21 films from several participating countries. And as in the preceding festivals, admission to every screening is free.

The featured movies are from Austria, Spain, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom, among others. The fest will be held starting tomorrow, until Sept. 16 at  Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Julian Vassallo, political counselor at the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, described this year’s selection as illustrative of “what makes Europeans tick.” Vassallo elaborated: “We are wearing our heart on our sleeve for the Filipino public. We are exposing our dreams, our hopes, our hang-ups. Cine Europa [offers] a large and eclectic selection that I believe Filipinos appreciate. They like to be challenged by what is different from the mainstream. Once in a while, we all enjoy a good Hollywood blockbuster with its heroes and happy endings, but European movies offer something different.”

He noted that Filipinos had become appreciative of many European films’ complexity and unpredictability. “[The films] often reflect that … life is rarely neat and tidy, and that sometimes, the most moving stories can be found where you least expect them,” he said.

As part of this year’s festivities, there will be roundtable talks on filmmaking, film appreciation, analysis and financing. Organized by the European Union Cultural Group, Cine Europa continues to be accessible to the public.

Reaching out

Vassallo stressed the importance of free screenings: “Each of the 17 participating European countries covers the costs of providing a movie or two, allowing us to avoid charging entrance fees and to extend our invitation to a broader audience. For this 15th edition, we are reaching out even further, taking the festival not only to Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, but also to Baguio, Davao and Iloilo. Last year, we reached 24,000 Filipinos and this year we hope to reach new audiences.”

Filipino films in this year’s roster include “Paglipad ng Anghel,” “Kano,” “Bakal Boys” and “MNL 143.” Vassallo praised the films, which were previously screened in, or are scheduled to premiere in different parts of Europe. He expressed optimism about the blossoming bond between Filipino and European filmmakers.

“I hope that the educational component of the festival that we have beefed up this year will grow into an opportunity for Filipino film enthusiasts and professionals to connect with their European counterparts and facilitate Filipino-European coproductions and boost creativity on both sides,” he said.

After the Sept. 6-16 leg of the festival at Shangri-la Plaza,  Cine Europa goes to Ayala Center Cebu, Sept. 21-24; Liceo de Cagayan/Cagayan de Oro, Sept. 27-30; FDCP Cinematheque Davao, Oct. 4-7;

FDCP Cinematheque Baguio,Oct. 11-14; and FDCP Cinematheque Iloilo, Oct. 18-21.