The 14th Cine Europa film festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza will run from September 9-18, 2011. Watch for free: “INTACT” (Spain) directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo with special appearance by Hollywood actor Max Von Sydow. The film has won 2 Goya Awards: best Director and Best Actor-Leonardo Sbaraglia

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

No less than FDCP (Film Development Council of the Phil.) Chairman spoke at the press conference of the Cine Europa Film fest which will run from September 9-18 at the Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza. In his speech Santos gave a valuable insight about film, “What lies at the heart of culture is understanding what makes us human, everything we have in common. And so it is with the medium of film. Just as movies provide a window to ourselves, it also provides a window looking out at other landscapes, other lives, other selves.”

FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos during the 14th Cine Europa film festival press con at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza. The fest will run from September 9-18, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Santos continued by explaining the significance of the fest, “The interesting and colorful subject matter offered in this year’s festival is culturally refreshing, surprising and uplifting. And by looking out of this window we look forward when others will look out of their windows into our culture. FDCP through FCEP (Film Cultural Exchange Program) is committed to bringing this relationship to a higher level of understanding.  So we can explore further areas of engagement involving film development. So it is with great joy and pride that we express our support for this year’s EU (European Union) festival, the diverse films it presents and the spirit of cultural understanding it tells us.”

EU Press Information head Lubomir Frebort during the 14th Cine Europa film festival press con at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza. The fest will run from September 9-18, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

The partnership between the EU and the FDCP has also allowed the films in Cine Europa to be exempt from having to be rated or screened by the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). EU Head for Political and Press Information Lubomir Frebort said, “On the EU side we were very much pleased with the readiness and willingness from the FDCP to get in negotiation on the partnership agreement. I believe this is a very unique situation. I don’t think we have anything like it in any other country in this region.”

Seated from right: Bulgarian Consul Rene Ledesma, FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos, EU Press Information head Lubomir Frebort and Shang Rila Plaza Mktg. Div. Head Marline Dualan. Photo was taken during the 14th Cine Europa film festival press con at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza. The fest will run from September 9-18, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Now on it’s 14^th edition, Cine Europa will start it’s screenings at Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong and will move on to Liceo de Cagayan De Oro University, Cagayan De Oro from September 23 to 25 and to Cebu’s Ayala Center Onstage from September 20 to October 2. Tickets to the screenings are free based on a first come first served basis. Audience members will also get a chance to win a ticket to Europe via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines through a raffle on the opening of the fest.

Organized by the European Union, there are a total of 19 films from the countries of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

From right: Goethe Institut Philipinen Director Richard Kuenzel welcomes Bulgarian Consul Rene Ledesma to the 14th Cine Europa film festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza. The fest will run from September 9-18, 2011. Photo by Jude Bautista

Frebort also explained the other benefits of the cooperation, “In 2005 we started the educational component by having lectures among students from various universities in Cebu city. And we really hope that with this new partnership we will be able to expand the educational side of our festival. And we will be able to bring in more film makers from different European countries to share their experience with their colleagues here in the Philippines.”

Among the current titles, “Goethe” English title (Young Goethe In Love) has both a literary and historical significance. This amusing and poignant portrait of the German poet centers on the youthful love affair that affected his life. It also shaped the writing of his masterpiece “The Sorrows of Young Werther.” The film is often compared to “Shakespeare In Love.”

The 14th Cine Europa film festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza will run from September 9-18, 2011. Watch for free: “Young Goethe in Love” (Germany) From right: Alexander Fehling in title character and Miriam Stein