MANILA, Philippines — One does not have to book a ticket to any country in Europe to have a taste of the continent’s rich history and culture.With this year’s installment of Cine Europa, Filipino moviegoers will have a fascinating experience to learn more about European culture and values.The 20th Cine Europa, the longest and widest film festival in the country, formally opened to the public on September 17 at Shangri-La Cineplex in Mandaluyong City.It will run until September 26, Tuesday.Admissions are free on a first-come, first-served basis.Tickets for every screening will be distributed 30 minutes before the scheduled time.Twenty-four award-winning films from European Union countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and Norway are featured in the film festival.With the theme “Where Classics and Contemporary Meet,” the old and the new merge in this year’s installment of the film fest.The fusion of the masterpieces from the enchanting past and carefully crafted contemporary films include: "Deine Schönheit ist nichts wert" (Your Beauty is Worth Nothing), "Les Barons" (The Barons), "Monkey," "Anděl Páne 2" (An Angel of the Lord), "Babettes gæstebud" (Babette's Feast), Sult (Hunger), Jules et Jim (Jules and Jim), "Souvenir," "Lola rennt (Run Lola Run), "Terror - Ihr Urteil" (The Verdict), "Utóélet" (Afterlife), "I Soliti Ignoti" (Big Deal on Madonna Street), "20 Sigarette" (20 Cigarettes), "De He van '63" (The Hell of '63), "Veviseren" (Pathfinder), "Belgen" (The Wave), "Aniversarea" (The Anniversary), "Doua lozuri" (Two Lottery Tickets), "Perinbaba" (The Feather Fairy), "Wilsonov" (Wilson City), "Truman," El Ángel Exterminador" (The Exterminating Angel), "Flickan Mamman och Demonerna" (The Girl, The Mother and the Demons) and "The Moving Image."Started in 1997, Cine Europa was born out of the friendship between the Philippines and the European Union.READ: 20th Cine Europa: A glimpse of cinematic artistry and diverse culture of Europe"For 20 years, Cine Europa has stood at the center of cultural collaboration and partnership between the European Union and the Philippines," Mattias Lentz, Chargé d'Affaires a.i.of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, said during the opening night of the 20th Cine Europa.After its edition in Shangri-La Cineplex, it will take a road trip for four months to the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban, Baybay, Puerto Princesa and back to Manila.For the first time, Cine Europa will visit Ateneo de Naga University.Apart from quality European films, equally outstanding Filipino gems such as Petersen Vargas’ “2Cool To Be Forgotten” and documentary “Journeyman Finds A Home” (The Life Story of Simone Rota) will be screened on September 23, while Lav Diaz’ epic “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon” will be shown on September 24.Filipino filmmakers and film critics will also conduct open discussions.Around 50,000 moviegoers attend the film festival every year.Cine Europa is presented by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, the EU member states’ embassies, Embassy of Norway, EU MS Consulates and its partner organizations from the private sector, academes and government agencies.Philstar.com is the online media partner of the film festival.
