Top indie films showcased in Ciné Europa 13

An Education, the British film that picked up three Oscar nominations this year including Best Picture and Best Actress for Carey Mulligan, leads the independent films featured in this year’s Cine Europa 13. Set in London in 1961, “An Education" presents a brilliant 17-year-old girl whose life mirrors the city caught between the drab post-war 1950s and glamorous 1960s. The screenplay written by Nick Hornby was also nominated for the Oscars. The film has won numerous awards from other festivals including Best Actress for Mulligan in BAFTA, the British equivalent of the Oscars.

The 13th edition of Ciné Europa (European Film Festival) runs from Sept. 10 to Sept. 19 at the Cinema 2 of the Shang Cineplex of Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Ambassador Alistair Macdonald, head of the delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, describes this year’s festival “most significant" as it welcomes films from Greece, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. The three countries add greater diversity to the annual Ciné Europa which has been screening films from the following regular participants: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Romania, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. “This year’s festival will reach out to an even larger Filipino audience, showcasing European cinema at its best, and illustrating the diversity and richness of Europe’s cultural heritage," MacDonald said during the launching of the festival last Sept. 2. The Greek film “El Greco" was previewed to select members of the media at the launch. Greek Ambassador Xenia Stefanidou told journalists that unknown to many people, the famed painter El Greco, or Domenicos Theotocopoulos, was born in Crete, Greece before moving to Toledo, Spain where he blossomed as an artist. The film has been described as “an epic tale of an uncompromising artist and fighter for freedom." Set in the 16th century, the film tackled El Greco’s search for freedom and love, ranging from the courts of Crete and Venice to Toledo in Spain, where he was confronted by his greatest adversary, the Holy Inquisition. A gift to Pinoy film-lovers “The overwhelming support and enthusiastic response of film enthusiasts to Ciné Europa have inspired all of us to step up our efforts in ensuring that this festival continues to be a distinctive gift to all Filipino film-lovers," said Macdonald in a message to Ciné Europa followers. French Embassy Audiovisual Attaché Martin Makalintal said Ciné Europa had its first edition in 1998 to mark the European Union’s “lasting gift of strengthening EU-Philippine cultural relations" in celebration of the centennial of the Philippine Independence. He said the organizers are hoping that European films will eventually be shown commercially in the Philippines, on a scale similar to those from Hollywood. Belgian Cultural officer Anne Blomen said the 22 films in this year’s festival would show in varied hues the themes of love, laughter, action, crime, heroism. “We just want to share with you some views on our world, and we hope you have a good time watching any of the 22 windows on European culture," she said. “Not that we, Europeans, have to teach you, Filipinos, anything when it comes to the semantics of film-making. You have a rather lively star scene, and your directors know how to work on a budget to get world-wide acclaim," Blomen said, in paying homage to Filipino directors who have won international acclaim in European film competitions. From Sweden to Switzerland Other featured films this year include Austria and Germany’s “Der Rauber" (The Robber), the story of a multitalented man ― Johann Rettenberger ― a successful marathon runner and serial bank robber who meticulously measures his heart rate, stamina, and efficiency during training runs and bank raids. Belgium’s “De Keus" (The Kiss) is a thriller about the beautiful and gifted 15 year-old Sara, who dreams of running away from home and becoming a professional ballet dancer but falls for the charming Vic, an extremely dangerous older man. Based on the bestseller by Ilija Trojanow, Bulgaria’s “Svetat E Golyam I Spasenie Debne Otvsyakade" (The World of Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner), centers on Alex who, with his charismatic grandfather, embarks on a journey in search of his real self. When literature teacher Josef Tkaloun quits his job, he is unable to predict that in doing so, he would lose his sense of place in society. “Vratne Lahve" (Empties) from the Czech Republic is a love story that dramatizes formidable moments in life. In Denmark’s “Frygtelig Lykkelig" (Terribly Happy), protagonist Robert thinks that taking on the position of village constable is necessary for his rehabilitation, but finds out that nothing is ever predictable in the country. From Finland, “Kielletty Hedelma" (Forbidden Fruit) is the story of two teenage girls from a very restrictive faith traveling to the heart of the city in search of freedom. Slovakia’s offering, the “Pokoj V Dusi" (Soul at Peace), shows Tono returning from stealing lumber to his home village to seek a new way of life. Sweden’s “Svarta Nejikan" (The Black Pimpernel) is based on the life of Harald Edelstam, the Swedish ambassador to Chile during the junta take-over. Switzerland’s “Marcello, Marcello," is about a village boy’s frantic quest for the perfect gift ―not for the woman he loves but for his father. From Romania to Spain Romania shows its cinematic prowess via “Philantropique" (Philanthropy), a movie about a 35-year-old school teacher still living with his parents who becomes extravagant to impress a girl. There’s also “Mircea," the great ruler who fought against the Turks and other invaders to guard the country’s independence. France presents two evocative films. “L’Heure Zero" (Toward Zero) sees the strange reunion of Guillaume, his ex-wife Aude, his current wife Caroline, and his rich aunt Camilla take a tragic turn when Camilla is found murdered in her bed. In “Tout Est Pardonne" (All is Forgotten), a father leaves his family after failing to get himself together but 11 years later, his daughter decides to see him again. From Italy comes the film “Mio Fratello E Figlio Unico" (My Brother is an Only Child), which focuses on the lives of Accio and Manrico, brothers who are always at odds with each other. Also screening is “I Soliti Ignoti" (Persons Unknown), considered one of the best Italian films; it revolves around the adventures of five small-time thieves preparing for a heist that reaches a disastrous and comedic end. The Netherlands’ “Hannahannah" is a tale of a stubborn outsider and headstrong girl who watches with mixed feelings her family’s attempts to find her a new boyfriend and an ideal son-in-law. Meanwhile, “De Scheepsjongens Van Bontekoe" (Storm Bound) sees three boys embarking on their first voyage across the ocean and finding themselves shipwrecked on a tropical island. Spain’s “El Abuelo" (The Grandfather) is a story of love, friendship, honor, and betrayal within a powerful family spanning three generations. “Juana La Loca" (Mad Love) is a historical drama about Juana de Castile, daughter of the Catholic King and her ill-fated marriage to Archduke Felipe de Austria. – YA, GMANews.TV For inquiries, call 633-7851 or log on to www.shangrila-plaza.com.