MANILA, PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 05, 2011: From just 11 films since its first screening in 1998, the 14th Cine Europa now brings 19 films from 16 countries, showcasing Europe’s cultural tapestry through a mix of genres – comedy, drama, history, and thriller.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is a major partner for this year’s Cine Europa, as well as Lubomir Frebort, political counselor and head of the political, press, and information section of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. “Through this partnership, the EU hopes to create more opportunities for exchanges of ideas, insights and experiences in filmmaking,” says Frebort.
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German Film Goethe! kicks off the festival
The EU also promises to infuse more invigorated film and cultural exchanges between the union and the Philippines, even beyond the film showings of Cine Europa. With its 27 member states, EU has expressed its belief that films are critical and effective instruments sharing cultural lessons and insights. German period piece Goethe! – which chronicles German poet Johann’s love affair with the beautiful yet feisty Lotte Buff – kicks off the festival.
The film fest will be screened at the Shang Cineplex on September 9 to 18, with films from participating countries Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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Festival Schedule
Meanwhile, to preserve the country’s cultural heritage through film, the FDCP is also in conversation with the legislative branch for a law that requires all movie producers to provide a copy to the National Film Archives of the Philippines. According to Briccio Santos, chairman of the FDCP, lawmakers are scheduled to meet with representatives of the CNC (The French Film Archives) in November for a consultation on how to improve the Philippines’ film archiving systems. “As you know, we have a new government that is reform-oriented. So it is not only in the political and economical reform but also in the cultural,” said Santos during Cine Europa’s press briefing.
Cine Europa 14 is presented by the embassies of the member states of the European Union, together with the Embassy of Switzerland and the Delegation f the European Union to the Philippines, in partnership with the FDCP, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Arts Council of Cebu and Liceo de Cagayan de Oro.
