This year, the festival is bigger and better than ever before. The 2012 edition features 26 movies from all over Europe along with a selection of short films in four cities: Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu, Shenzhen. In addition, for the first time, an EU Film Festival online will be held every day in China from November 2012 until January 2013. This means that more European films could reach more audiences than ever. According to the introduction from Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth European Commission, even more importantly, this year’s festivals are organised in the framework of the EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The Year is the first concrete outcome of both parties’ decision to dedicate one pillar of their cooperation to people-topeople contacts, and cinema can clearly contribute to a better mutual understanding between Chinese and European people.
The motto in the European Union is “Unity in Diversity”, and this festival is a wonderful example of cooperation among our 27 Member States, providing a unique opportunity for the Chinese audience to experience the most recent, successful and exciting films the European Union has to offer. Androulla thought that cinema can build bridges between peoples. Chinese people love European cinema, and yet only a handful of European films are shown in Chinese cinemas each year due to various constraints. And she knew how much Chinese cinema is acclaimed and enjoyed throughout Europe. Encouraged by this film festival, she had the confidence to work with the Chinese authorities to foster cultural exchanges and bring more European films to China in the near future.
Let’s enjoy the magic of European cinema on the silver screen.
The European Union Film Festival is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to China in cooperation with the European Union Chamber of Commerce, supported by the State Administration of Film, Radio & TV and the EU Members States.
Michael
Although to the outside world Michael seems to lead a perfectly normal life, he secretly keeps a 10-year-old boy, Wolfgang, locked in his soundproof basement. One day Wolfgang throws boiling water into Michael’s face, but he does not succeed in escaping. Severely injured, Michael drives off but dies in an accident. Will Wolfgang be rescued?
Something More About Love
1945. The true story of Dr Ivan Rumenov, a Bulgarian surgeon banished to a faraway seaside town where he meets Dikran, a pleasant young Armenian photographer. Gradually, Dr. Rumenov wins the hearts of his new fellow townsmen, and a number of alluring pleasures occur…
Turquaze
Three Turkish brothers, who return back to the Belgian city of Ghent after they bury their father in Istanbul, find themselves torn between two lands and cultures, with roots in neither. The trio slowly redefines family dynamics and their own identity and finds new happiness and love.
Lessons of a Dream
In 1874, Oxford graduate Konrad Koch is hired as one of the very first English teachers at a strict German school for boys. In order to stir up some enthusiasm for the foreign language, Koch resorts to unusual means and introduces his students to a curious sport that comes from Britain: football.
Hard Goodbyes: My Father
In 1969, Elias is a boy with an interest in astronomy. On the eve of his departure for a business trip, Elias’father promises to be back in time to watch the moon landing on TV with his son, but dies in an accident. Elias refuses to accept his father’s death and creates an imaginary world, in which his father is alive.
9 1/2 Dates
David is a hot shot writer in Budapest. When his rich girlfriend dumps him and his publisher sues him for failing to deliver a new book, his glory days end. The publisher gives him an ultimatum: he has to write a book within 10 days to get his money and reputation back. The topic: Why are there so many lonely young women in Budapest?
Quartier Lointain
Thomas, in his fifties, returns to his hometown. Standing in front of his mother’s grave, he passes out and becomes again a 14-year-old boy. Thomas will discover the reason for the departure of his father. With the heart of an adult, Thomas will be unable to persuade him to stay and will understand the reason why he disappeared.
Sonny Boy
In 1920, Waldemar goes to study in the Netherlands from Suriname. He is discriminated against for his dark skin. Rika is the only one who accpets him. The two fall in love, but when World War II breaks out they are separated and the only witness of their love will be their young son.
Letters to Father Jacob
Leila, a prisoner serving a life sentence, has just been pardoned and released from prison. She works at Father Jacob’s house where she reads letters from people seeking help from the blind pastor. Jacob’s life is shaken when the letters stop coming and Leila must decide either to help or to leave him.
The Runway
Ernesto is a pilot from Colombia whose plane crashes in a remote Irish village. He befriends Paco, a 9-yearold boy who speaks some Spanish. Paco introduces Ernesto to the entire town as a hero, encouraging people to help rebuild his plane. In reality Paco keeps a secret about Ernesto’s real identity.
The Phoenicians
A documentary that portrays the Phoenicians, the sea-faring nation that established trading and commercial routes across the Mediterranean and that challenged the Roman Empire.
Simon and the Oaks
Going against his father’s wishes, Simon strives for a good education. At school he meets Isaac, the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller who fled persecution in Germany. The two boys and their families’ lives are woven together. Growing up, Thomas feels different from his family and he begins to question his identity.
