What a journey! The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) marks its 18th year in Malaysia this year with a strong message to convey.
With representation from 17 European countries, the 23 selected movies offer an exhilarating look into contemporary cinema from halfway across the world, but also much food for thought, as the world moves into challenging times.
“Cultural diversity has always been at the core of the European project, this is what makes Europe rich. Diversity must not be feared, it must be embraced,” says Maria Castillo Fernandez, ambassador and head of the EU delegation to Malaysia.
The EUFF will be held at selected Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) outlets in Klang Valley (GSC Pavilion and GSC Midvalley, Oct 19-29), Penang (GSC Gurney Plaza, Nov 2-8), Kuching (GSC CityONE Megamall, Nov 16-22) and Kota Kinabalu (GSC Suria Sabah, Nov 30-Dec 6).
“Through the film festival we hope to promote diversity in international cultural relations as it is an important part of the EU’s role as a global actor. It offers a look at the reality of what is happening on the other side of the world, with the main message being diversity,” she adds.
The EUFF is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, in collaboration with the embassies and cultural institutions of EU member states and Switzerland. This year, dramas and documentaries make up half of the films featured, followed closely by comedy with some romance thrown into the mix.
Award-winning movies
The documentaries zoom in, among other things, on the annual Hahnenkamm Race in Austria in One Hell Of A Ride, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam in In Line For Anne Frank, and a forensic investigation in Attenborough And The Giant Dinosaur.
There is a horror/mystery title from Romania where a beautiful ghost wanders in a mansion, an action/adventure from Finland which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Finnish child actor Onni Tommila; a children’s movie from Croatia that follows kids on summer vacation who go on a big adventure; and a stop-motion animation movie from Switzerland about a boy named Zucchini.
Almost all the movies are award winners, with six movies – Attenborough And The Giant Dinosaur, Car Park, Fire At Sea, Happy 140, In Line For Anne Frank and Do You See Me? – screened for free.
Coupons can be printed, or a snapshot taken, from www.euff.com.my and redeemed at participating GSC outlets now, subject to seat availability.
Tickets for all other movies are RM8 and are available for purchase now at www.gsc.com.my or at the participating GSC outlets.
The only exception is The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Maki, which can be purchased from Oct 17 at the prevailing GSC ticket price.
All movies are screened with English subtitles.
One Hell Of A Ride/Streif (Austria)
The race down the Streif each winter is considered the superbowl of skiing in Austria.
Cafe Derby (Belgium)
The Pope is coming to Belgium and Georges sees an opportunity to make a fortune.
Tokyo Fiancee (Belgium)
Amelie returns to Japan, a country she left when she was five. Sparks fly when she meets Rinri, a young Japanese man.
Attenborough And The Giant Dinosaur (Britain)
Follow the twists and turns of a forensic investigation into the largest land animal ever known.
Mystery Of Green Hill/Uzbuna Na Zelenom Vrhu (Croatia)
Summer vacation and a robbery mystery – a paradise for inquisitive children.
Cosy Dens/Pelisky (Czech Republic)
Teenager Michal has a crush on his upstairs neighbour. But their fathers are at loggerheads with each other.
The Commune/Kollektivet (Denmark)
Two academics with a dream set up a commune in a huge villa in an upmarket district of Copenhagen.
Big Game (Finland)
Shot down by terrorists and stranded in the Finnish wilderness, the US president and a 13-year-old boy must join forces to survive the next 24 hours.
The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Maki (Finland)
The true story of the famous Finnish boxer who had a shot at the 1962 World Featherweight title.
Swagger (France)
Enter the world of underprivileged youths, their dreams and their ambitions.
Coconut Hero (Germany)
The end is near for 16-year-old Mike who has a tumour in his head, which is exactly what he wants. Or so he thinks.
Victoria (Germany)
She has just met him, but is love at first sight possible?
Car Park/Parkolo (Hungary)
More than a place to park a car, two man – and a ginger cat – battle it out to the end.
Fire At Sea/Fuocoammare (Italy)
A window into life on Lampedusa, transit point for thousands of migrants in the last 20 years.
Do You See Me?/Scusate Se Esisto! (Italy)
Serena gets mistaken for another architect and wonders if she should keep mum about the mix-up.
Ants On A Shrimp: Noma In Tokyo (Netherlands)
Discover the flavours of one of the world’s most amazing food cultures.
In Line For Anne Frank (Netherlands)
What are the stories of the people queuing to get into the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam?
Planet Single/Planeta Singli (Poland)
He’s a charming TV host looking for the next new topic on his talk show. Is there a place for a woman in his life?
The Girl Who Saved My Life/Flickan Som Raddade Mitt Liv (Sweden)
Documentary filmmaker Hogir Hirori crosses path with an 11-year-old refugee while searching for stories.
My Life As A Zucchini/Ma Vie De Courgette (Switzerland)
Zucchini is a nine-year-old boy who gets placed into foster home and befriends a kind police officer.
Two Lottery Tickets/Doua lozuri (Romania)
Three men win the lottery, but then get the ticket stolen from right under their noses.
Miss Christina/Domnisoara Christina (Romania)
Based on a 1936 novella, meet the seductive ghost who haunts the mansion two lovers decide to revisit.
Happy 140/Felices 140 (Spain)
It is Elia’s 40th birthday party and she has an important announcement for her guests.
Happy 140 (Spain).
