I owe my interest in foreign films to my history teachers in UP High. I remember sitting through movies such as Gandhi, The Last Emperor, Raise The Red Lantern and others. The culture of other countries as well as the sceneries so unlike our own fascinates me to no end. Indeed, motion pictures take us places, and let us ‘travel’ across time and distance, the same way with books and written words.
It also helped that we were tasked to submit reaction papers after viewing these epic films so I was more than attentive during these film showings hahah. But nahhh I do love watching foreign films even to this day.
Sure there are parts wherein I’m bored watching these film masterpieces especially that many of these movies last really long. But my overall experience watching foreign film festivals so far has been one of wonderment.
Foreign films allows as a sneak peek into how different other countries’ cultures to ours, how their people live and make a living, the values and traits of its people as influenced by their country’s history and struggles etc. Some of their struggles are similar to our own but how they reacted maybe different to how we dealt with things. But one thing for sure, there are lessons we can learn from watching these recommended movies.
So I have to give thanks to the people behind Cine Europa for bringing in highly acclaimed films from the European member nations, and to show these for free in major cities in the Philippines like Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Baguio and Iloilo. Yep no entrance fee to watch these awesome films. Thank you!
Cine Europa Celebrates 15 years of showing Great EU Films in the Philippines!
Cine Europa films were selected from among thousands of EU films, so you know these are great films, ‘classics’ in their own right. A good example for the 15th Cine Europa selection is “The Last Emperor” from Italy. Although don’t be confused, the film is about Henri Pu Yi, the last emperor of China.
For film buffs, young people, adults and all, I urge you to watch films exhibited by Cine Europa. It’s a different experience compared to being bombarded with images of vampires glowing in sunlight. Cine Europa movies are enriching and eye opener to say the least.
Last weekend, Titus and I were at Ayala Cinema patiently lining up to gain entrance to the movie house where the 15th Cine Europa film exhibition was on-going. Yep, this is the 15th year of Cine Europa! We are looking forward to the 16th Cine Europa Film Festival next year 2013! Yey!
Unfortunately, we were only able to watch two of the films shown during this film festival, the movie ‘Poll’ from Germany and ‘The Legend of Flying Cyprian’ from Slovakia.
Two of the movies shown during the 15th Cine Europa Films
One of the mark differences between these EU films we’ve watched versus Philippine movies is that Poll and Flying Cyprian ended with the lead actor’s death. You can hardly find Filipino movie wherein the lead actor or actress died. I recall my Lolo grinning saying that the only time Fernando Poe Jr. died in his movie, it led to chaos and melee in a theatre somewhere in the province because the moviegoers can’t accept FPJ’s death on the movie so Da King did not die again on his subsequent movies, ever. 
In our movies, lead characters always win and things ended happily. Sure there are exceptions but exceptions are rarity in Philippine Cinema. I guess we really are a people who love to smile and who loves our happy endings.
Even in our drama series on TV, this is the same. Can you imagine what will happen if Coco Martin on Walang Hanggan will die? Avid fans will probably get angry with ABS-CBN hehe. Even contrabidas are somehow made to appear kinder and ‘good’ in the end. For example, Clara of Mara Clara, was sent to an asylum but after a few years she got well, and found herself welcomed and embraced by the people she hated and plotted against in the teleserye. Yep, we Pinoys love things to end on good terms. We also seem to forget past transgression easily, our Philippine History is riddled with many examples.
I am getting off topic so stopping myself. On the other hand, you now know my network preference hahahah.
What sold Titus to Cine Europa and Foreign Film exhibitions is the 2009 Cine Europa entry “Give the Devil His Due” from Czech Republic. It was a comedy, adventure and fantasy rolled into one. It was a bit corny but it was funny as hell. Pun intended. Hehe. From that movie, we learnt that there is only one thing that the devil fears and its “feather”. Yep, the devil knees quake at the mere sight of feathers heheh. Remember that guys! Hehe.
Since 2009, Titus accompanies me watching Cine Europa films. Actually I’ve left him no choice but to go with me. Haha. Anyhow, in consideration of him, I try not to drag him to drama movies. I always check the movies being shown during Cine Europa and their time slots, that’s why we made sure we’ll catch Flying Cyprian as it was indicated as “History, Adventure” movie. Although based on my assessment after the movie ended, it was more on “History and Drama with some Adventure”. It’s a good film, if you are in the next cities where the 15th Cine Europa will be shown; mark the showing date of The Legend of Flying Cyprian and watch it if you have time.
Based on the reaction and movie reviews of some friends who’ve also watched the film festival, Norway’s “Upperdog” (Comedy, Drama) is a really good one as well as “Wedding in Basarabia”, a romantic comedy from Romania. I’m sure the other films are also great but sadly I missed them.
In case you missed its Manila and Cebu leg, you can still catch the 15th Cine Europa Film Festivals from these places, dates schedule included below. Note though, because you don’t have to pay for tickets, expect long lines. Be at the cinema gates early, like 30 minutes before the movie you want to watch starts.
Cine Europa will also have its Film Festival in the following cities in the Philippines:
*Liceo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro from September 27 to 30.
*FDCP Cinemateque in Davao from October 4 to 7.
*FDCP Cinemateque in Baguio from October 11 to 14.
*FDCP Cinemateque in Iloilo from October 18 to 21.
Great films from the European member countries, tapos Free Entrance pa! What more can you ask for? Line na! Nuod na! ^_^
Check this official Fan Fage of the EU Delegation to know the details of time slot and movie schedules in the next venues.
As for me, I’m waiting for the 16th installment of Cine Europa. Can’t wait for the 2013 installment of this film festival! =)
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