Film enthusiasts are in for a treat as Cine Europa, the longest-running European film festival in the Philippines, returns to Shangri-La Plaza this October. From October 18 to 27, the festival promises to immerse audiences in 20 must-watch contemporary films from across Europe, showcasing the diverse storytelling of the continent’s new generation of filmmakers. Screenings will be held at the iconic Shang Red Carpet Cinema, offering cinephiles an opportunity to experience European cinema up close and personal—all for free!
Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties between the European Union (EU) and the Philippines, this year’s Cine Europa brings a stellar lineup of films, with releases ranging from 2015 to 2024. Covering genres from drama and comedy to documentaries and animation, these films delve into themes that reflect Europe’s cultural richness and social pulse.
The festival opens on October 18 at 6PM with the Danish feel-good romantic drama Lang Historie Kort (Long Story Short), directed by May el-Toukhy and Maren Louise Käehne. Following this heartwarming story of friends navigating the complexities of love, the audience will enjoy the intriguing Niebezpieczni dżentelmeni (Dangerous Gentlemen) from Poland, a comedy murder mystery by Maciej Kawalski.
October 19 promises more cinematic gems, including the animated retelling of the Greek myth Icarus in Icare (Icarus and the Minotaur, Luxembourg), Finland’s The Other Side of Hope, a moving tale of an unlikely friendship between a salesman and an asylum seeker, and Sweden’s Tigrar (Tigers), which explores the intense world of professional football. Also on the roster is the Czech dark comedy Přišla v noci (She Came at Night), an outrageous take on navigating familial relationships.
On October 20, Ukraine takes the spotlight with Taste of Freedom, a story of perseverance from chef-turned-filmmaker Alexander Berezan. Audiences will also get to enjoy Germany’s coming-of-age crime drama Sonne Und Beton (Sun and Concrete), Hungary’s inspiring canine hero tale Mancs (Paw), and Belgium’s Souvenir, a heartwarming story about a former singer finding her way back into the spotlight.
The next few days feature a wide range of films sure to captivate audiences. October 21 introduces Romania’s Mai departe (The World is My Arena), the inspiring biopic of a rugby player adapting to life in a wheelchair, and Austria’s Mermaids Don’t Cry, a quirky film about a supermarket clerk’s whimsical dream of becoming a mermaid. Irish film lovers can enjoy That They May Face the Rising Sun, a beautiful adaptation of John McGahern’s final novel.
The following days feature even more diverse offerings. October 22 kicks off with The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou (France), blending fantasy with poignant storytelling, and La Flota de Indias (The West Indies Fleet, Spain), a riveting documentary about Spain’s historic naval fleet. Audiences will also be treated to Cyprus’ The Man with the Answers, a touching LGBTQ+ road movie about romance, followed by Diabolik (Italy) and Remember to Blink (Lithuania) on October 23.
Cine Europa continues with Another Franko (Ukraine) on October 24, the story of the son of a literary legend, as well as encore screenings of the festival’s crowd favorites from Niebezpieczni dżentelmeni to The Other Side of Hope. October 25-26 keeps the excitement going with films like The Man Without Guilt (Slovenia), Mancs, and Mai departe.
Closing on October 27, the festival wraps up with must-see films such as La Flota de Indias, Diabolik, and That They May Face the Rising Sun, leaving the audience with a final taste of Europe’s rich cinematic tapestry.
With a lineup this impressive, Cine Europa 27 is an unmissable event for movie buffs and casual viewers alike. Dive into the world of European cinema, and enjoy these films for free at the Shang Red Carpet Cinema from October 18 to 27.
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