Films Offer Intimate Glimpse of Europe
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Moviegoers in Seoul can taste a slice of contemporary European life through the 2007 European Union Film Festival, which will take place from May 25 to 31 at Seoul Art Cinema.
Embracing the theme "Beyond Borders,'' the festival celebrates the colorfully diverse culture of the European Union (EU), the largest single market in the world. Ten recent works by distinguished directors from 11 countries will be screened.
"Comrades in Dreams'' (2006) by German filmmaker Uli Gaulke will launch the festival. The documentary piece portrays the lives of projectionists who live and breath cinema-outside of Hollywood-in marginalized places such as southern India, Burkina Faso, the American Midwest and North Korea.
It will be hard to miss "24 Hour Party People'' (2002) by prolific British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom known for "The Road to Guantanamo'' (2006) and "Welcome to Sarajevo'' (1997).
"24'' graphically depicts the post punk legacy of Manchester, the United Kingdom from the late 1970s to early 1990s. Featuring sex, drugs and music that defined an era, the black comedy is about a man who, inspired by a Sex Pistols performance, creates a legendary record label.
Another notable piece is "The City of the Sun'' (2005) by Martin Sulik, one of the most celebrated directors in Slovakia. The award-winning film is about a group of friends that start their own business after being laid off from work. The piece offers a realistic yet comical view of modern society.
"The Little Lieutenant'' (2005) by France's Xavier Beauvois is also included. A rookie police officer and his boss, a recovering alcoholic struggling to regain her honor, team up to track down bank robbers. The film won its leading lady Nathalie Baye the Cesar Award for Best Actress.
The festival offers a variety of genres, from romance to crime, such as "The Life I Want'' (2004, Italy/Germany) and "The Hours of the Day'' (2003, Spain).
Launched in 2002, the festival is organized by EU member states, the Delegation of the European Commission and the Korean Association of Cinematheques in cooperation with the Europe-Korea Foundation.
All movies are subtitled in Korean and English (except for "The Little Lieutenant,'' which is only in Korean).
Tickets for each film are 6,000 won and can be purchased online (www.ticketlink.co.kr) or at Seoul Art Cinema, located in Jongno-gu. For more information, visit www.cinematheque.seoul.kr or call 02-741-9782.