LoL with the European Union

The theme for the ongoing 16th European Union Film Festival is comedy and it hopes to strike a humorous chord with Indian audiences across seven cities

The theme for the ongoing 16th European Union Film Festival is comedy and it hopes to strike a humorous chord with Indian audiences across seven cities

The 16th European Union Film Festival, which kick-started on Monday at the NCPA with the screening of the British film Four Lions gives you 19 reasons to roll on the floor laughing. Why? The theme for this year's festival is comedy and its tagline ufffd Laugh like a European. Films from 19 countries will be screened across seven cities in India through March, April and May. In Mumbai, the films will be screened at the Alliance Francaise till March 18.

The festival, which is usually held in Mumbai and Delhi, is being taken to seven cities for the first time. "We were initally surprised with the positive response and that's why we organise the annual film festival. This year, we've increased the number of cities that will host the fest. Apart from Mumbai and Delhi, the films will be shown in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Thrissur" says Pavel Svitil, Deputy Head, Delegation of the European Union.

"We wanted to reach a bigger and different audience," adds Charlie Walker, Vice President, EUNIC (European Union National Institutions for Culture) and Director, Programmes, India and Sri Lanka. "The idea of this festival is to introduce European cinema to the Indian audience. Humour connects different cultures and it has parallels in different kinds of cinema," says Walker.

Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Britain, Belgium, Denmark are some of the countries whose films will be screened at the festival. Each country selects the film which is to be presented at the EU Film Festival. Dr Imre Lazar, Director, Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre, says, "Through the festival we want people to get a glimpse of European culture and diversity. India is a diverse country and it is a model for us."

European cinema is regarded as serious cinema and that was perhaps the reason why the European Union decided that the theme this year should be comedy. "Those who like light cinema despise serious cinema, and vice versa. We wanted to break that divide. The festival, this year, shows the artistic talent of Europe and is also entertaining," explains Lazar.

The films being screened are different from each other and range from situational comedies, films on relationship faux pas, animation, children's films to musicals and comic action thrillers. As Svitil puts it, "We all get busy in our daily lives and we felt these films will provide some relief. So, let's have fun."

Interact with award-winning director Gergely Fonyo
Director Gergely Fonyo's Made in Hungaria is a musical comedy set in the '60s. According to him, "Music can break barriers and it is a more effective tool of communication than words can be.

Music can create a community of its own." Fonyo has seen a few Indian movies; though he says it is difficult to find Indian movies in Hungary. "Indian films are mostly musicals. There has been some influence of these films on me and it can be seen in my films. My films have music and dance as well," he adds. Made In Hungary is about a young musician who fights against dictatorship. Fonyo will be present when his film is screened at the festival and will hold a
discussion after the screening.
On March 11, 6.30 pm at Alliance Francaise Auditorium.

At Alliance Fran aise de Bombay, Theosophy Hall, 40, New Marine Lines. Call 22036187 / 22035993
For the complete schedule of the films log on to: https://ec.europa.eu/delegations/india/more_info/eu_cultural_events_calendar/events/20110214_en.htm

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