MANILA, Philippines - Shangri-La Plaza hosts graciously the much-anticipated Cine Europa. Now in its 13th year, the popular film festival runs until Sept. 19 at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2.
The festival sees over 20 European films from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, carefully handpicked to cater to an appreciative Filipino audience.
This year’s featured films include: Austria and Germany’s Der Rauber (The Robber), the story of a multitalented man — Johann Rettenberger — a successful marathon runner and serial bank robber, who meticulously measures his heart rate, stamina and efficiency during training runs and bank raids. Belgium’s De Keus (The Kiss), a thriller revolving around the beautiful and gifted 15 year-old Sara, who dreams of running away from home and becoming a professional ballet dancer, but falls for the charming Vic, an extremely dangerous older man.
Based on the bestseller by Ilija Trojanow, Bulgaria’s Svetat E Golyam I Spasenie Debne Otvsyakade (The World of Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner), centers on Alex, who with his charismatic grandfather, embarks on a journey in search of his real self. When literature teacher Josef Tkaloun quits his job, he is unable to predict that in doing so he would lose his sense of place in society. Vratne Lahve (Empties) from the Czech Republic is a love story that dramatizes the formidable moments in life.
In Denmark’s Frygtelig Lykkelig (Terribly Happy), protagonist Robert thinks that taking on the position of village constable is necessary for his rehabilitation, but finds out that nothing is ever straightforward way out in the country. From Finland, Kielletty Hedelma (Forbidden Fruit) is the story of two teenage girls from a very restrictive faith traveling to the heart of the city in search for freedom. El Greco from Greece is the epic tale of the uncompromising artist and freedom fighter Domenicos Theotocopoulos, known to the world as El Greco.
France presents two evocative films: L’Heure Zero (Toward Zero) sees the strange reunion of Guillaume, his ex-wife Aude, his current wife Caroline and his rich aunt Camilla, which takes a tragic turn when Camilla is found murdered in her bed. In Tout Est Pardonne (All is Forgotten), a father leaves his family after failing to get himself together. Eleven years later, his daughter decides to see him again.
From Italy there’s Mio Fratello E Figlio Unico (My Brother is an Only Child) and I Soliti Ignoti (Persons Unknown). The former focuses on the lives of Accio and Manrico, brothers who are always at odds with each other. The latter, considered among the masterpieces of Italian cinema, revolves around the adventures of five small time thieves preparing for a heist that reaches a disastrous and comedic end. In Slovakia’s offering, Pokoj V Dusi (Soul at Peace), Tono returns from lumber thieving to his home village to seek a new way of live.
Presented by The Netherlands Hannahannah is the tale of a stubborn outsider and headstrong girl who watches with mixed feelings as her family finds her new boyfriend as an ideal son-in-law; while De Scheepsjongens Van Bontekoe (Storm Bound), sees three boys embark on their first voyage across the ocean and find themselves shipwrecked on a tropical island. Sweden’s Svarta Nejikan (The Black Pimpernel) is based on the life of Harald Edelstam, the Swedish ambassador to Chile during the junta take-over.
Audiences will enjoy Romania’s cinematic prowess via Philantropique (Philantrophy), a movie about a 35-year-old school teacher still living with his parents, who becomes extravagant to impress a girl; and Mircea, the great ruler who fought against the Turks and other invaders to guard the country’s independence. Set in London in 1961, the United Kingdom’s An Education presents a brilliant 17-year-old girl whose life mirrors the city caught between the drab post-war ’50s and glamorous ’60s.
Spain gives film enthusiasts El Abuelo (The Grandfather), a story of love, friendship, honor and betrayal within a powerful family spanning three generations; and Juana La Loca (Mad Love), the historical drama of Juana de Castile, daughter of the Catholic Kings and her ill-fated marriage to Archduke Felipe de Austria. And from Switzerland comes Marcello Marcello, a village boy’s frantic quest for the perfect gift — not for the woman he loves but for his father!
For film screening schedules and other inquiries, please contact 633.7851 or visit www.shangrila-plaza.com.