A Guide To Cine Europa 11
posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 in Festivals, Movies
Cine Europa returns two months earlier than usual this year, running September 11 to September 21 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. They’re opening with the extremely popular Les Chansons d’Amour (Love Songs), which also ran in this year’s French Film Festival. This year’s selection skews a lot more modern, the oldest film coming from 2000. Here’s a quick guide to some of what they’re bringing this year.
MUST SEE: Efter Brylluppet (After the Wedding) Denmark
Directed by Susanne Bier. Written by Anders Thomas Jensen and Susanne Bier
Synopsis: Jacob Pederson runs a troubled orphanage in India. With the orphanage verging on closure, Jacob travels to Copenhagen to meet a mysterious benefactor who wishes to donate a large sum of money to the orphanage. Jacob is made to attend his benefactor’s daughter’s wedding as a condition, and there, he finds that there is much more to the deal than he thought, and that he has to make a choice that could change his life forever.
Why you should see it: Efter Brylluppet was nominated for an Academy Award, and only lost to last year’s Cine Europa must-see, The Lives of Others. The film requires a bit of patience from the average MTV-era moviegoer, but there’s a lot to love here, and when this film hits, it hits hard. A naturalistic handheld style brings a sense of intimacy to the film, drawing you in and letting you really feel for the characters.
Screenings: Sept 12, 5 PM. Sept 15, 5 PM. Sept 18, 2:30 PM. Sept 20, 4:30 PM.
FOR THE FAMILY: Mondscheinkinder (Children of the Moon) Germany
Directed by Manuela Stack. Written by Katrin Milhahn
Synopsis: Six year-old Paul has an incurable skin disease, which makes his unable to take direct sunlight. Stuck inside, Paul grows lonely and depressed, and yearns to be out in the light. In order to comfort him, his older sister, Lisa, concocts a fantasy where Paul is an astronaut from another planet.
Why you should see it: “Family” movies tend to talk down to children, avoiding most anything ugly or difficult in life. It is difficult to conceive of a family picture that intelligently deals with things like illness and death. And yet, Mondescheinkinder is exactly that film. This is just a beautiful piece of cinema, one that isn’t afraid to really make you and your kids feel something.
Screenings: Sept 12, 2:30 PM. Sept 14, 2:30 PM. Sept 15, 7:30 PM. Sept 20, 2:30 PM.
TRUE INSPIRATION: I Cento Passi (One Hundred Steps)Italy
Directed by Marco Tullio Giodana
Written by Claudio Fava, Monica Zapelli and Marco Tullio Giordana
Synopsis: The true story of Giussepe “Peppino” Impastato, an 1970s activist who dared to speak up about the crimes of the Mafia, back when no one would even acknowledge their existence.
Why you should see it: The story of Peppino Impastato is quite an inspiring one. He’s a hero in the vein of Ninoy Aquino, an activist who dared to speak out against powerful forces that everyone was afraid of. While I Cento Passi could have been another overblown film about the mob, it wisely concentrates of family, on the much smaller moments that make things mean much more. This film can play it a little overdramatic at times, but overall it deserves its sentiment.
Screenings: Sept 13, 4:45 PM. Sept 16, 4:45 PM. Sept 19, 2:30 PM. Sept 21, 4:45 PM.
ROMANIAN NEW WAVE: Hîrtia va fi albastrã (The Paper Will Be Blue)Romania
Directed by Radu Muntean
Written by Alexandru Baciu and Radu Muntean
Synopsis: During the Romanian revolution of 1989, a group of soldiers begin to question their role in their protecting their country as it all falls into chaos and absurdity.
Why you should see it: Romania is having a cinematic renaissance, recently producing a slate of powerfully moving films that have something to say about society at large. Hîrtia va fi albastrã is a fine addition to this new and exciting movement of Romanian films. It’s been a festival darling for the past two years, and it serves as a pretty good introduction to the Romanian New Wave.
Screenings: Sept 14, 12 NN. Sept 17, 12 NN. Sept 19, 7:30 PM.
SENIOR CHARMS: Die Herbszeitlosen (Late Bloomers)Switzerland
Directed by Bettina Oberli
Written by Bettina Oberli and Sabine Pochhammer
Synopsis: Four older women stir up a ruckus in their tiny, provincial town when they open up a chic lingerie store.
Why you should see it: If you liked Calendar Girls, this could be right up your alley. This is Switzerland’s entry to this year’s Academy Awards, and it’s a charming little film with surprising pathos. The gorgeous landscapes of the Swiss countryside give the film strong visuals, and a lovely, feel-tale will probably leave you smiling.
Screenings: Sept 13, 7:30 PM. Sept 17, 7:30 PM.
GENRE-DEFYING: Kráska v nesnázích (Beauty in Trouble)Czech Republic
Directed by Jan Hrejbek
Written by Petr Jarchovský based on the poem by Robert Graves
Synopsis: When a flood wipes out her home and her business, Marcela, a woman married to a criminal and surrounded by horrible people, finds a Good Samaritan in a Czech expatriate. As Evzen, the expatriate, becomes more involved in her life, Marcela is made to choose between the only life she’s known, and the promise of a better one.
Why you should see it: Beauty in Trouble is one of those films that kind of defy explanation. At its heart, it’s probably best described as a romance, but it’s also a family drama, a social commentary, a dissection of crime, and at times, a pretty funny comedy all rolled into a single film. It can be overwhelming, but the film has these amazingly light touches that make everything work. Fans of Once might appreciate the Glen Hansard songs in the soundtrack as well.
Screenings: Sept 15, 2:30 PM. Sept 18, 7:30 PM. Sept 20, 7 PM.
THE BEST OF THE REST:
If you missed it: Les Chansons d’Amour (Love Songs) - France
Screenings: Sept 11, 7 PM. Sept 15, 9:30 PM. Sept 18, 12 NN. Sept 20, 9:30 PM. Lighter Family Fare: Hände weg von Mississippi (Hands Off Mississippi) - Germany
Screenings: Sept 12, 7:30 PM. Sept 15, 12 NN. Sept 18, 5 PM.
If you liked Big Fish (sort of): And When Did You Last See Your Father? - England
Screenings: Sept 14, 5 PM. Sept 17, 5 PM. Sept 20, 12 NN.
Marionettes!: Mozart in China - Austria
Screenings: Sept 14, 7:30 PM. Sept 17, 9:30 PM.
If you like movies about musical prodigies: Vitus - Switzerland
Screenings: Sept 13, 10 PM. Sept 13, 9:30 PM.
For fans of immigrant tales: Un Franco, 14 Pesetas - Spain
Screenings: Sept 16, 12 NN. Sept 18, 10 PM. Sept 21, 12 NN.
A look into the Dutch Taxi War: Nachtrit (Night Run) - Netherlands
Screenings: Sept 14, 9:30 PM. Sept 16, 7:30 PM. Sept 19, 5 PM. Sept 21, 7:30 PM.
Quirky romance: Quand la mer monte (When the Tide Comes In…) - Belgium
Screenings: Sept 12, 12 NN.
If you liked City of God: Fame Chimica (Chemical Hunger) - Italy
Screenings: Sept 13, 2:45 PM. Sept 16, 2:15 PM. Sept 19, 12 NN. Sept 21, 2:15 PM.
Homecoming drama: Colorado Avenue - Finland
Screenings: Sept 12, 10 PM. Sept 17, 2:30 PM. Sept 19, 10 PM. Sept 21, 9:30 PM.
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