Special screening of 24 Films from 24 European countries in 11 Indian cities
Kolkata, June 22, 2016. The European Union Film Festival premieres in Kolkata on 24thJune, 2016 with a screening of the German film "Jack". Organized by the Delegation of the European Union and embassies of EU Member States, the festival is being held in partnership with Federation of Film Societies of India, Cine Central, Nandan West Bengal Film Centre and British Council. The Festival will be inaugurated on 24thJune at 6 pm at “Nandan West Bengal Film Centre by Mr. Buddhadeb Dasgupta, prominent filmmaker from Kolkata in presence of Chief Guest Mr. Bratya Basu, Minister of Information Technology & Electronics, Government of West Bengal and other prominent guests - Mr. Shyamal Kumar Sen (Former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Former Governor of West Bengal, President Cine Central), Mr. Yadab Mondal, CEO, Nandan, Mr. Premendra Mazumdar, All India General Secretary of Federation of Film Societies of India & Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director British Council (East India)
The European Union Film Festival will be hosted in Kolkata across two venues - Nandan West Bengal Film Centre & British Council, from 24th June to 2nd July 2016as per the appended schedule
In its 21st edition, the festival features 24 exceptional new and award winning European films from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.This year the festival will screen movies from varied genres ranging from the comedy of the absurd to gripping drama, unexpected romance and heart-stopping action.
Speaking about the success of the European Union Film Festival in India, H.E. Mr. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union, said: “Films have a universal appeal. The European Union Film Festival has won a special place in the Indian film calendar and in the hearts of viewers by showcasing the wry, the unexpected, the beautiful and even the tragic events of ordinary lives in unfamiliar settings."
Mr. Shyamal Kr. Sen, President Cine Central, said: "Every year the European Union gives us an opportunity to view the award winning films of different genres of European Cinema. This year too, the film lovers of Kolkata are happy because the 21st edition of the European Union Film Festival is being organized in collaboration with Cine Central Calcutta, Nandan and FFSI. The wonderful award winning films selected this year express the rich cultural diversity of European countries as well as their deep commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Films break the barriers of language, bringing together civilizations and cultures across the world. I wish this festival a great success and hope it will always be a significant annual event in Kolkata".
Mr. Premendra Mazumdar, All India General Secretary of Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) added that this is a great opportunity for FFSI to partner with Nandan West Bengal Film Centre, Cine Central and British Council to make this event a grand success for the film lovers and film critics in Eastern India.
The EU film festival 2016 brings to Kolkata a selection of some of the finest and most riveting films coming out of Europe today. Highlights from the festival include the stories of a ten year old abandoned boy ‘Jack’ who picks up his six-year-old brother and finds his way to life on his own; a great soldier of Rome who is despised by his own people and forced to turn to his enemy to find acceptance and an out-of-work illusionist who has a life-changing experience when he meets a young woman in Scotland.
Inaugural Movie Jack
‘JACK’ is a film about the development of a boy who learns to take responsibility from a young age. At the end of the film, he surprises us with the decision he makes and holds up a mirror to the audience with the courage he shows.
This film is produced by Jan Krüger, René Römert and Directed by Edward Berger in 2014has won international award including:
• Silver Award for Best film in LOLA 2015 (Deutscher Filmpreis 2015)
Entry at all venues will be on a first come, first served basis. However, for the films to be screened at British Council on 1st July and 2nd July, registration should be done by sending an email to Megha Roy at megha.roy@britishcouncil.org
The festival, currently running in Delhi, Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bangalore, will traverse further through Kolkata, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Jodhpur till August 14, 2016
Synopses of the movies can be found here:http://eeas.europa.eu/
EUFF dates and venues in other cities will be announced on the website and Facebook pages of the EU Delegation in the coming days at:
http://eeas.europa.eu/
www.Facebook.com/EUinIndia
The films to be screened at the EUFF are–Austria–Jack; Belgium - Les Rayures du Zèbre |(Scouting for Zebras); Cyprus - Block 12; Czech Republic - Three Brothers; Denmark – Stille Hjerte |Silent Heart; Finland - Ollaanvapaita|Urban Family; France-L'illusionniste, |(The Illusionist); Germany – Jack; Greece - Wild Duck; Hungary - Utóélet |(Afterlife); Ireland - The Irish Rebellion; Italy - Michiamo Maya(My Name Is Maya); Latvia - Mother, I love you; Lithuania -Edeno Sodas (The Garden of Eden); Luxembourg - Dead Man Talking; Malta-Simshar; Netherlands-Michiel De Ruyter|Admiral; Poland-Bogowie(Gods); Portugal - Cats Don't Have Vertigo; Slovakia-Rytmus – A Dream from the Block; Slovenia - Sailing to Paradise; Spain - Flamenco From The Roots; Sweden– ÅTERTRÄFFEN(The Reunion); United Kingdom – Coriolanus.
Screening Schedule for Kolkata
(24thJune – 2nd July 2016)
Date & Day
|
Time
|
Title
|
Venue
|
24-June
Friday
|
6.00 pm
|
Germany – Jack(102 m)
|
Nandan West Bengal Film Centre
|
25-June
Saturday
|
2.30 pm
|
Slovakia - Rytmus – A Dream from the Block (90 m)
|
Nandan West Bengal Film Centre
|
4.20 pm
|
Latvia - Mother, I love you(80 m)
| ||
6.00 pm
|
Belgium-Les Rayures du Zèbre | Scouting for Zebras (80 m)
| ||
7.30 pm
|
Austria - Jack (90 m)
| ||
26-June
Sunday
|
2.30 pm
|
Spain - Flamenco From The Roots (72 m)
|
Nandan West Bengal
Film Centre
|
4.00 pm
|
Lithuania -Edeno Sodas | The Garden of Eden (93 m)
| ||
6.00 pm
|
France- "L'illusionniste" – The Illusionist (79 m)
| ||
7.30 pm
|
Hungary - Utóélet | Afterlife (90 m)
| ||
27-June
Monday
|
2.30 pm
|
Malta - SIMSHAR (101m)
|
Nandan West Bengal Film Centre
|
4.30 pm
|
Denmark -StilleHjerte/Silent Hear (98 m)
| ||
6.30 pm
|
Luxembourg - Dead Man Talking (101 m)
| ||
28-June
Tuesday
|
2.30 pm
|
Sweden - ÅTERTRÄFFEN/The Reunion (89 m)
|
Nandan West Bengal Film Centre
|
4.15 pm
|
Slovenia - Sailing to Paradise (83 m)
| ||
6.30 pm
|
Poland – Bogowie |Gods (120 m)
| ||
29-June
Wednesday
|
2.30 pm
|
Italy Michiamo Maya| My Name Is Maya (90 m)
|
Nandan West Bengal
Film Centre
|
4.30 pm
|
Greece - Wild Duck (88 m)
| ||
6.30 pm
|
Finland - Ollaanvapaita | Urban Family (105 m)
| ||
30-June
Thursday
|
2.30 pm
|
Cyprus - Block 12 (95 m)
|
Nandan West Bengal Film Centre
|
4.30 pm
|
Czech Republic - Three Brothers (90 m)
| ||
6.30 pm
|
Portugal - Cats Don't Have Vertigo (124 m)
| ||
1-July
Friday
|
4. 00 pm
|
United Kingdom – Coriolanus (123 m)
|
British Council
|
2-July
Saturday
|
12.00 pm
|
Ireland - The Irish Rebellion (80 m)
|
British Council
|
3.00 pm
|
Netherlands- MICHIEL DE RUYTER | Admiral (151 m)
|
QUOTES FROM SOME DIRECTORS
1. Mr. Lukasz Palkowski, Director of ‘Bogowie’ (Poland)
‘I believe it is worth immersing in a story about numerous ups and downs of an individual fighting for a better world, for someone else’s life. To a certain extent, maybe not on such a great scale, every one of us is engaged in their own rebellion, own fight. The story about Professor Religa inspires to be determined. We can all win – we just can’t give up along the way.’ Lukasz Palkowski
Photograph: Watch out Productions
Director’s Biography Born in 1976.Worked as assistant director on the films of Maciej Pieprzyca, Krzysztof Lang, and Jan Kidawa-Błoński. His feature debut Rezerwat (Preserve) screened and received acclaim at various film festivals in Poland and abroad. Directs a popular television series. Member of the Polish Film Academy.
Select Filmography
2015: Bogowie (Gods), 2011: Wojnażeńsko-męska, 2007: Rezerwat (Preserve), 2004: Naszaulica (short)
Please Note: Credit of Mr. Lukasz Palkowski, should be given as – ‘Photograph: Watchout Productions’
2. Mr. OskariSipola, Director of ‘Ollaanvapaita’ (Finland)
"Urban Family is a musical, a drama, a comedy. Mixed genre films are not that usual in Finland, but India is a place more than used to them. That's why I couldn't be more excited to have our film shown there."
OskariSipola
Director’s biography: Born March 10th 1984, Oskari Sipola has directed 18 short films and two feature films, as well as numerous TV episodes, music videos and commercials. He has graduated Master of Arts from the University of Arts and Design Helsinki, majoring in directing for film and television.
Director’s filmography:
Urban Family (2015), Male Behavior (short, 2011), August (2011), Yours the Rest of My Life (short, 2010), Our Little Brother (short, 2009), Wings and Teeth (short, 2009), Enemies Within (short, 2009), In Between (short, 2008), Extreme Men (short, 2007), Precious (short, 2007), Tomorrow (short, 2007), Separate (short, 2005), Miia (short, 2004), Her Name Would Be Kaisa (short, 2003), Boy From the Past (short, 2002), Saltwater (short, 2002), Let Me Be (short, 2001), Kaarlo’s Angels (short, 2001), Surfacing Angel (short, 2001), Misery Loves Company (short, 2000)
3. Mr. Miro Drobný Director of ‘Rytmus’ (Slovakia)
Even though the musical film is the story about the most famous Central European rapper Rytmus, the film is as universal and versatile that people in any country can identify with it. Love, family, dreams or forgiveness are the messages a viewer in Slovakia, anywhere in Europe or in India will understand. The film was also filmed in New Delhi so I am pleased that the European Film Festival 2016 made it possible for the Indian viewers to see it. I believe it can bring thought provoking and inspiring information. Miro Drobný
Director’s Biography
Director, screenwriter and producer Miro Drobný works mostly with children and film production. His most successful project is the animated series Sheep live broadcast in 26 countries. He is the author of original literary scenarios, several projects and books focusing on children and youth. He has authored several educational and travel series for Slovak television channels. Documentary film RYTMUS A Dream from the Block is his film debut. The film became the top box office movie both in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, ranking it amongst the most successful films of the last decades.
About the European Union (EU):
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EU-India relations
For Over 50 years the EU and India have worked together to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, expand trade, and promote joint research in energy, health, agriculture and many other fields of mutual interest.