Cine Europa, Europe’s biggest and most exciting film festival is now back in the Philippines from 31 October to 29 November.
The pandemic is not about to stop the film festival but in effect has provided an occasion to turn a challenge into an opportunity.
This year, Cine Europa brings 19 films from 20 European countries for 30 days and are accessible right at the click of your fingertips upon signing up at www.cineeuropaph.com.
A unique feature in this 23rd edition of the film festival is that we are using Festival Scope, the EU’s library of quality films, this will allow us to show films from countries not represented in the Philippines. The roster of films adds up to those individually provided by European embassies in Manila.
Despite the virtual environment, Cine Europa will maintain its strong relations with its loyal patrons including those from the various provinces across the country.
The EU Delegation, the European Union member states embassies and Embassy of Switzerland, cultural institutes including Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes Manila, Philippine-Italian Association, continue to value the support of the Filipino moviegoing public and have endeavoured to curate a sample of films showing the diversity of the European film industry.
The German film, “Sweethearts” is set to launch Cine Europa on 31 October at 6:30pm. The comic-thriller, directed by Karoline Herfurth, is about a professional criminal Mel and her easily-panicked hostage Fanny. Forced together by fate and an ill-executed diamond robbery, the couple is trapped in a race against time. Soon pursued by a relentless detective and the greedy Berlin underworld, they are left with no other choice than to work together.
Special Features
Cine Europa 23 shall feature three animated films for families and children. These value-laden films are expected to share lessons, which all viewers can relate with. European culture is not very different with Philippine traditions that is why Cine Europa’s audiences will definitely enjoy and see the commonalities between the two regions.
The usual educational component of Cine Europa continues this year as professional speakers are expected to share and engage with Filipino cinephiles in various subjects ranging from directing, producing and promoting film masterpieces.
Mr Rafael de Bustamante, First Counsellor of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, said that Cine Europa aims at exposing the Filipino public to films which rarely make it to the commercial theaters. Cine Europa also wants to increase cooperation between, our creative industries and to maximize reach by the use of new platforms.
This year’s film festival will be presented to media on 30 October with Mr Bustamante along with Ms Liza Dino, Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and ambassadors and cultural attaches of the EU member states’ embassies and cultural institutes.
Mr Bustamante said that the “celebration of the cultural partnership between the EU and the Philippines continues with Cine Europa which is getting bigger every year”.
“The EU wants to sustain its tradition of providing highly-acclaimed European films to the Filipino moviegoers”.
The values of love, hope, friendship, family, courage, strength and perseverance cut across all cultures whether in the European or in the Filipino context, said Mr de Bustamante.
So what are you waiting for?
Sign up and do a marathon of your favorite Cine Europa films, mark your choices and enjoy at the comforts of your homes. Sign up on www.cineeuropaph.com and stay tuned for updates and trivia games at Cine Europa’s social media channels in Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
