Over the past two decades, Cine Europa has become one of the most awaited annual film-related events for cinephiles, an opportunity to catch foreign films that aren’t normally screened in local cinemas.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary in the Philippines, Cine Europa offers yet another impressive roster of more than 20 European films that includes dramas, thrillers and comedies that will satiate varying tastes.
Among the films to be screened is the Spanish film “El ángel exterminador (The Exterminating Angel), ” a satire involving stranded guests at a dinner party who are forced to shed their deemed perfection and unravel their true character. It was cited as one of the best 1,000 films by The New York Times.
“Babettes gæstebud (Babette’s Feast), ” an Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film, tells the story of a Parisian fugitive and how she alters lives of people who help her while she is in hiding. The Danish film is based on the book written by Isak Dinesen.
The German thriller “Lola rennt (Run Lola Run)” should keep you thoroughly amused even while gripped in sheer anticipation. Lola, the girlfriend of a two-bit Berlin felon, goes on a race against time to save her lover.
Up for some comedy and crime mixed with music? “I Soliti Ignot (Big Deal on Madonna Street)” is a ‘50s Italian film known for its funny story of small-time thieves and its memorable jazz score. “Anděl Páně 2” (An Angel of the Lord) on the other hand is a fantasy-laced Czech comedy about the quest of an angel to retrieve the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.
For young viewers, there’s “Monkey,” a Bulgarian coming-of-age film about the journey of two adolescent half-sisters into the real world of grown-ups. “Deine Schönheit ist nichts wert (Your Beauty is Worth Nothing)” tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who flees with his family from Turkey to Vienna, where he is smitten by a classmate named Ana.
Also included in this year’s festival are homegrown films that have either made it to the world stage or are also intended for an international audience.
They are “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten” by Petersen Vargas on Sept. 23, Sat. at 1pm; “Mula sa Kung Ano Ang Noon” by Lav Diaz on Sept. 24, Sun. at 1pm; and “Journeyman” by Albert Almedralejo and Maricel Cariaga on Sept. 24, Sun. at 7pm. Admission is free.
The directors of these films will have an open forum on specific screening dates.
Two of Mendoza’s own made-for-television movies under his “Brillante Mendoza Presents” series on TV5 will also “Everlasting” and “Kadaugan” will be screened on September 17, Sunday starting at 1PM. Mendoza and TV5 president Chot Reyes will also hold a discussion on “AMO,” his new TV5 series that was recently featured in the distribution market of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
These films and more will be screened at Shang Cineplex from September 16 to 26. For the first time ever, Cine Europa will also cover the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban, Baybay, and Puerto Princesa.
For more info, visit http://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines
Facebook: EU Delegation to the Philippines. You may also call Shangri-La Plaza at 370-2500 loc. 597 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.