The biggest foreign language film festival in the Philippines gets even bigger as films from Lithuania and Slovenia debut in the 27th edition of Cine Europa happening this October 18-27, 2024 at the Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong.
The Lithuanian and Slovenian films join the 20-strong film line up presented by the European Union Member States, the Alliance Française de Manille, the Goethe-Institut, the Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine-Italian Association, and guest country Ukraine. This year's selection is a mix of returning film festival favorites giving viewers another chance to see these movies, modern classics, and current releases that have never been shown in Philippine cinemas before.
Cine Europa 27 will also have screenings at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio, University of San Agustin in Iloilo, University of the Philippines in Cebu and University of St. La Salle in Bacolod on 18 to 27 October 2024.
Here are the 20 films to be screened at Cine Europa 27.
Another Franko (Ukraine, 2024)
Director: Igor Visnevsky
Cast: Vyacheslav Dovzhenko, Akhtem Seitablaev, Nadiya Levchenko, Roman Kulish, Andriy Fedinchyk, Lilia Yushkevich, Maxim Donets, Irina Kudashova, Yana Kovernik, Oleg Voloshchenko, Vsevolod Shekita
This film chronicles the life of Peter Franko, the son of a renowned Ukrainian writer, exploring his love for his wife Olga, his rivalry with friend Andriy, and the historical events that shaped the destinies of millions, all while the mystery of his death remains unsolved.
Diabolik (Italy, 2021)
Directors: Antonio Manetti, Marco Manetti
Cast: Luca Marinelli, Miriam Leone, Valerio Mastandrea, Alessandro Roja, Serena Rossi, Claudia Gerini, Stefano Pesce, Luca Di Giovanni, Vanessa Scalera, Antonino Iuorio
In 1960s Clerville, the thrilling encounters between the enigmatic Diabolik and the alluring Eva Kant blend romance and crime, with Inspector Ginko determined to foil their plans.
Icare | Icarus and the Minotaur (Luxembourg, 2022)
Director: Carlo Vogele
In this animated film, Icarus, the apprentice of Daedalus, forms a secret friendship with the Minotaur before facing disillusionment and a tragic choice when King Minos confines his friend to the labyrinth and Prince Theseus arrives to confront the monster.
La Flota de Indias | The West Indies Fleet (Spain, 2021)
Director: Antonio Perez Molero
A powerful documentary exploring the historical and cultural impact of the Spanish fleets that transformed the New World and fuelled globalization over two centuries.
Lang historie kort | Long Story Short (Denmark, 2015)
Directors: May el-Toukhy, Maren Louise Käehne
Cast: Mille Lehfeldt, Jens Albinus, Trine Dyrholm, Peter Gantzler, Cecilie Stenspil, Danica Curcic, Marijana Jankovic, Ola Rapace
A heartfelt ensemble comedy-drama, chronicling the tangled love lives of a group of friends, each seeking romantic redemption over the course of eight parties.
L'uomo senza colpa | The Man without Guilt (Slovenia, 2022)
Director: Ivan Gergolet
Cast: Valentina Canelutti, Branko Zavrsan, Enrico Inserra, Livia Rossi
In Trieste, Angela, a widow whose husband died from asbestos exposure, takes a caregiving job for Francesco, her husband's former employer, to seek revenge but ultimately discovers that her actions lead to unexpected truths and the possibility of forgiveness and a new beginning.
Mai departe | This World is My Arena (Romania, 2023)
Director: Tedy Necula
Cast: George Balta, Adrian Paduraru, Dan Murzea, Nuami Dinescu, Sara Cuncea, Cristian-China Birta, Diana Bagdasar, Ela Ionescu, Liviu Cheloiu, Ana-Maria Pandele
A biopic of George Baltă, a paralyzed rugby player turned marathoner and motivational speaker, this inspiring film is a testament to perseverance and self discovery.
Mancs | Paw (Hungary, 2015)
Director: Robert-Adrian Pejo
Cast: Zsolt Trill, Orsolya Holecskó, Tamás Keresztes, Oszkár Nyári, László Szacsvay
Inspired by true events, this family drama follows the heart-warming journey of Zoli and his rescue dog Paw, as they overcome personal and professional challenges together.
Mermaids Don’t Cry (Austria, 2022)
Director: Franziska Pflaum
Cast: Stefanie Reinsperger, Karl Fischer, Nico Ehrenteit, Julia Franz Richter, Inga Busch
Annika, a supermarket saleswoman struggling with her chaotic life, dreams of acquiring a glamorous mermaid fin that costs 2.458 euros, despite facing family challenges, potential layoffs at work, and a complicated love life.
Niebezpieczni dżentelmeni | Dangerous Gentlemen (Poland, 2022)
Director: Maciej Kawalski
Cast: Tomasz Kot, Marcin Dorociński, Andrzej Seweryn, Wojciech Mecwaldowski
In "The Mountain Retreat of Zakopane," Joseph Conrad and three artists wake up after a wild party to find a dead man on their couch, leaving them bewildered and facing the gendarmerie at their door.
O anthropos me tis apantiseis | The Man with the Answers (Cyprus, 2021)
Director: Stelios Kammitsis
Cast: Vasilis Magouliotis, Anton Weil, Stella Fyrogeni, Marc Pistono, Chiara Ore Visca, Brando Rossi, Mauro Racanti
After his grandmother's death, Victor leaves his village in a dilapidated car to find his estranged mother in Germany, picking up hitchhiker Mattias along the way, leading to a profound bond despite their differing personalities during their journey through the Italian countryside.
Per Arti | Remember to Blink (Lithuania, 2022)
Director: Austėja Urbaitė
Cast: Ajus Antanavicius, Anne Azoulay, Arthur Igual, Dovile Kundrotaite, Inesa Sionova
A French couple adopts two Lithuanian children and hires Gabi, a bilingual student, to help them adapt, but cultural differences and conflicting attitudes lead to tensions among the adults.
Přišla v noci | She Came at Night (Czech Republic, 2023)
Directors: Jan Vejnar, Tomáš Pavlíček
Cast: Simona Peková, Annette Nesvadbová, Jiří Rendl
This black-humor-infused home invasion horror follows a couple whose lives are turned upside down when one of their mothers takes over their home—and their sanity.
Sonne und Beton | Sun and Concrete (Germany, 2020)
Director: David Wnendt
Cast: Levy Rico Arcos, Rafael Luis Klein-Heßling, Vincent Wiemer, Aaron Maldonado-Morales
A gripping coming-of-age crime drama set in a heatwave-scorched Berlin, where a group of teens devises a high-stakes plan to escape their grim reality.
Souvenir (Belgium, 2016)
Director: Bavo Defurne
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Kevin Azaïs, Johan Leysen, Carlo Ferrante, Sophie Mousel
A once-famous chanson singer’s life changes when a young boxer encourages her to return to the stage. A moving story of rediscovery and romance in this heart-warming drama-comedy.
The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou (France, 2022)
Director: Lucas Delangle
Cast: Thomas Parigi, Edwige Blondiau, Lou Lampros, Jean-Louis Coulloc'h, Romain Laguna, Georges Isnard, Sivan Garavagno, Jean Marc Ravera
In a mountain village in the French Alps, young Jacky Caillou, who lives with his grandmother Gisèle, a renowned magnetizer-healer, becomes determined to heal a perform a miracle.
Taste of Freedom (Ukraine, 2024)
Director: Alexander Berezan
Cast: Iryna Kudašova, Tetiana Malkova, Tomasz Sobczak, Kosťantyn Temljak, Irma Vitovska, Pavel Li, Rimma Zjubina
In the vibrant streets of Lviv, a young cook pursues her dream of becoming a chef at a prestigious restaurant, but her life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a 1929 cookbook by the legendary chef Olga Franko, leading her on a journey of self discovery and belief in herself amidst the challenges of success.
That They May Face the Rising Sun (Ireland, 2023)
Director: Pat Collins
Cast: Barry Ward, Anna Bederke, Ruth McCabe, Lalor Roddy, Sean McGinley
A tender adaptation of John McGahern’s celebrated novel, portraying a year in the life of a small Irish lakeside community in the 1970s.
Tigrar | Tigers (Sweden, 2021)
Director: Ronnie Sandahl
Cast: Erik Engelen, Frida Gustavsson, Johannes Kuhnke, Maurizio Lombardi, Alfred Enoch, Liv Mjönes, Antonio Bannò, Lino Musella, Gianluca Di Gennaro
Based on a true story, this gripping drama delves into the harsh world of professional soccer, where a young talent’s dreams turn into a nightmare of obsession and pressure.
Toivon tuolla puolen | The Other Side of Hope (Finland, 2017)
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Cast: Sakari Kuosmanen, Sherwan Haji, Kati Outinen, Tommi Korpela
This poignant drama about a Syrian refugee and a middle-aged Finnish salesman explores the deep humanity and unexpected kindness amidst adversity, spiced with Kaurismäki’s trademark humor.
Here is the schedule of screenings for the Red Carpet, Shangri-La Plaza Mall leg of Cine Europa 27.
October 18, 2024
6:00 PM Lang historie kort | Long Story Short
9:00 PM Niebezpieczni dżentelmeni | Dangerous Gentlemen
October 19, 2024
1:30 PM Icare | Icarus and the Minotaur
3:30 PM Toivon tuolla puolen | The Other Side of Hope
5:30 PM Přišla v noci | She Came at Night
7:30 PM Tigrar | Tigers
October 20, 2024
1:30 PM Taste of Freedom
3:30 PM Sonne und Beton | Sun and Concrete
5:30 PM Mancs | Paw
7:30 PM Souvenir
October 21, 2024
5:30 PM Mai departe | This World is My Arena
7:30 PM Mermaids Don't Cry
9:30 PM That They May Face the Rising Sun
October 22, 2024
5:30 PM The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou
7:30 PM La Flota de Indias | The West Indies Fleet
9:30 PM O anthropos me tis apantiseis | The Man with the Answers
October 23, 2024
5:30 PM Diabolik
7:30 PM Per Arti | Remember to Blink
9:30 PM Sonne und Beton | Sun and Concrete
October 24, 2024
5:30 PM Another Franko
7:30 PM Niebezpieczni dżentelmeni | Dangerous Gentlemen
9:30 PM Icare | Icarus and the Minotaur
October 25, 2024
1:30 PM Toivon tuolla puolen | The Other Side of Hope
3:30 PM Přišla v noci | She Came at Night
5:30 PM Tigrar | Tigers
7:30 PM L'uomo senza colpa | The Man without Guilt
October 26, 2024
1:30 PM Mancs | Paw
3:30 PM Mai departe | This World is My Arena
5:30 PM Mermaids Don't Cry
7:30 PM The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou
October 27, 2024
1:30 PM La Flota de Indias | The West Indies Fleet
3:30 PM Diabolik
5:30 PM Souvenir
7:30 PM That They May Face the Rising Sun
Admission to Cine Europa 27 is for free on a first come, first served basis. All films will be shown in their original language with English subtitles.
