Film buffs, rejoice. The European Union Film Festival returns this year and will be screening at a stately, cinematic venue.
If you enjoy your films in a foreign language, frequenting independent cinemas, love over-analysing plot subtexts and identify with complex morally ambiguous characters, then chances are you won’t be caught sitting in a theatre watching a mainstream blockbuster. Here’s something you might like: the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) which returns for its 28th instalment over 10 to 20 May 2018.
The EUFF is the annual showcase of the best of European feature films in Singapore – all films screened will be screened at the stately National Gallery and have each encountered some form of success in the their country of origin, or globally.
Though the films may come from a specific country, all the works taken together are meant to celebrate the continent’s multifaceted and rich heritage. And this unifying celebration of cultures could not have come at a more fitting time as relations between the EU states remain tense in light of the immigration and refugee crisis.
Opening film Fly Away Home from Austria is a look at the Second World War from the eyes of 10-year old Christine. Bombed out of her home and completely destitute, she and her family flee to a villa in the outskirts of Vienna to survive. After the German soldiers capitulate, the Russians take over the house. Everyone is afraid of the foreign soldiers – except Christine.
Other must-sees include Insyriated from Belgium about a family in Syria (pictured top), Truman which is a tearjerker from Spain story on a cancer patient’s final months, Andy Serkis’ directorial debut titled Breathe about a young man who is suddenly paralysed from polio and Fukushima Mon Amour, which sees a young German woman escape to Fukushima to change her life. There’s a lot more to discover at this festival – don’t worry, there’s still time to plan your screening schedule.
28th European Union Film Festival 2018, 10-20 May, National Gallery Singapore, tickets available on the website.
Like this story? Check these out too:
Cool alternative movie cinemas in Singapore
Chinese cinema classics to watch
Late night supper spots to hit after the movie
Horror movie buffs, watch these flicks if you dare