20th European Film Festival at Delhi

20th European Film Festival at Delhi

A movie theatre is probably the only space where you forget your caste, gender, anger, frustration, tiredness and worries! All sort of people hailing from different walks of life feel same emotions in this large dark room and that’s the magic of movies. There were times when the movie-watching experience was thought to go down the drain because of the developments like television and video, however, it survived. With passing years it has been proven that Cinema is a common language that we share at a global level.

L-R Mr Aivars Groza, Ambassador of Latvia to India, Dr João Cravinho, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Mrs. Magdalena Cruz Yábar, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain

Yesterday a thirteen days ‘European Union Film Festival’ began wherein the cultural diversity of the European Union and its member states will be displayed. This is the 20th edition of the festival wherein 21 latest and award winning European Films of different genres would be playing at the screen of Instituto Cervantes, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

During the inauguration, H.E. Dr Joao Cravinho, Ambassador of the European Union to India spoke about the effect on tourism because of such events and the themes they are focusing on, “There has been growth in tourism of both the countries. Last time the theme was women, before that it was love and even before, was laughter and so on, this time we have asked the member states of European countries to submit recent films. We have 21 films which have been made recently and this would help the people to understand the kind of issues being dealt in Europe, the thought process of film maker, everyday life etc.”

Poland-Ida-Phot

Further talking about how he sees Indian Cinema and what difference he finds in European movies and Indian movies, Dr. Cravinho said, “Indian Cinema is diversified and quite a fun. I have seen Lunch Box and I believe it very nicely captures the way of thinking of two individuals and explores the emotions in very sensitive way and even ‘Lagaan’ I believe is one of the movies which stay with us forever. I think movie is a personal experience and choice, I might not want to see dance and songs but many others from my country or friends would love the same.

I think every cinema does a common thing- trying to reach out to audiences and what different is the tradition bollywood and European movie’s are built on.

Laila Pakalnina

European refers to past and looks on to the future too. It is a very rich tradition and enhances consequences around the world because Indian’s and American film makers are taking inspirations from European films and also, adapting them. In the past the response has been really good. Last year 20,000 people turned up so I am hoping for an increase this time.”

Amongst various genre, the festival will tell the story of eleven year old Freddy, a cyclist who hopes to win a race and thereby meets one of his heroes; of two opera Directors whose common passion for music is matched by their thirst for love; of a man who runs away from his girlfriend but collides with a bride who has run away from her wedding; of a woman whose life in a mansion somehow mirrors the turbulent changes of an entire century; of a boy who makes unexpected friends while investigating the death of his parents in a car accident; and of the happy householder with the perfect marriage who finds love – or maybe something else – with a choreographer who loves her cooking.

Committed

During a conversation with us, Demetrios A. Theophylactou, High Commissioner, Republic of Cyprus, said “Film gives a perspective about a person, a culture, a state and a country. They also intrigue curiosity to know more about the certain country. In terms of movie making and culture I think both the countries are similar yet very different. Some elements of our movie making are universal like human centric, social message, political etc. and top of all is love. Each country has their own landscape history and attractiveness; movie becomes an agent to take this to the audience. Bollywood should be encouraged to make movie in Cyprus because tourism is not only about money making but more than that.”

The film festival, which is currently ongoing in Chennai and Delhi, will further traverse through Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Coimbatore and Jodhpur over the next four months. If you want to be a part of this festival and witness some of the movies, then here is the schedule for you: