Cine Europa rolls out 25th anniversary edition at SM Seaside City Cebu – CINEMABLEND

The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines and the Embassies of EU Member States, in collaboration with Cultúr Éireann, the Irish Film Institute, the Goethe Institut Manila, the Filipino-Italian Association and the Instituto Cervantes of Manila, recently celebrated the opening of Cine Europa 25th Anniversary Edition at SM Seaside City Cebu Big Screen Cinema. Cebu has been one of the film festival’s pioneering host cities since Cine Europa was first introduced outside of Manila in 2001.

For 25 years, Cine Europa has been the flagship cultural event of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. Beyond the screening of European films, the oldest festival in the country has become a platform to strengthen EU-Philippines cultural relations and collaboration with Filipino cultural institutions and partners.

This year, thirty award-winning films from Europe have been specially programmed for the Silver Anniversary Showcase and will follow a hybrid format. Cinephiles can register at www.cineeuropaph.com to enjoy the festival online or on-site at partner venues until October 28.

“Cinema is deeply rooted in European culture, which we are very proud of,” said Dr Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, who graced the opening of the festival. “It reflects our identity and says a lot about our heritage and who we are,” joined Dr Sanchez Ruiz, accompanied by Nicole Weisman, wife of EU Ambassador Luc Veron, and festival partners, including SM Prime Holdings Vice President Marissa Fernan and the Arts Council of Dr. Vivina Chiu-Yrastorza, President of the Cebu Foundation. Members of Cebu’s diplomatic corps, arts and culture community, businesses, universities and media also attended the launch.

Guests were seen enjoying the festival’s opening film Páfsi (Pause), a Cypriot and Greek drama centering on a middle-aged woman and the fantasy world she uses to escape the misery of the world real – and what happens when the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur.

The film is directed by Cypriot Tonia Mishiali, whose work focuses on women’s and social issues.

Cebuanos also had a rare opportunity to watch other Cine Europa offerings at SM Seaside City Cebu’s big screen cinema. These included Sanremo, from Slovenia and Italy; Libertad (Freedom), from Spain; Mysi Patri Do Nebe (Even Mice Belong in Heaven), from the Czech Republic, France, Slovakia and Poland; Kapsalon Romy (Romy’s Salon) from the Netherlands and Germany; and Bicycle Thieves: Pumped Up, from Ireland.

The lineup also included Nematoma (Invisible) from Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine and Spain; Lola Vers La Mer (Lola) from Belgium and France; Aatos Ja Amine (Gods of Molenbeek), from Finland, Belgium and Germany; Las Niñas (schoolgirls) from Spain; Marina, from Belgium; A Triumph (The Big Hit), from France; Seltsimes Laps (The Little Comrade), from Estonia; and Dating Amber, from Ireland.

Cine Europa 25 is one of the exciting cultural events of SM Seaside City Cebu and SM Cinema. Festival partners also include the Cebu Arts Council, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the National Parks and Development Committee, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

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