Back in the days when COVID-19 did not yet exist, cinephiles were always treated to international film festivals at Shangri-La Plaza. One of these festivals was Cine Europa, longest running international film festival in the country.

Cine Europa is part of the cultural diplomacy between EU and the Philippines.

The EU Delegation and the EU Member States Embassies together with Goethe Institut Manila, the Philippine-Italian Association and Instituto Cervantes de Manila are proud to present Cine Europa 24 until September 29.

Cinephiles can watch the films for free at www.cineeuropaph.com within the comforts of their homes. This is a good opportunity for Filipinos to view 17 films from 15 EU Member States.

Cine Europa will maintain strong relations with its loyal patrons including those from the various provinces across the country. Cine Europa continues to stand proud with its strong partnership with the Film Development Council in the Philippines.

The EU Delegation, the European Union Member States Embassies together with Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association, have curated a set of award-wining films showing the diversity of the European culture.

The French film, “Les Parfums” is set to launch Cine Europa on tomorrow (August 26) at 12nn. The film directed by Grégory Magne revolves around diva Mme Anne and her new driver Guillame. A self-centered woman, Anne is nonplussed by her driver who respects her but at the same time, is bluntly honest and dares to refuse her unreasonable demands.

The other films you will find in this 24th edition of the film festival are:

1.”Vlastníci” (“Owners”) from Czech Republic

The characters in “Vlastníci” own apartments in the same block somewhere in Prague. The film charts their progress as they attempt to tolerate each others’ presence long enough to take some important decisions about the building’s future. This is a comedy based on play “The Society of Owners

2. “Catwalk” from Sweden

Emma Örtlund has a lifelong dream of becoming a fashion model and asks Pär Johansson, founder of the Glada Hudik Theatre, for help. It’s an unattainable dream for most people, even more so for people with disabilities. Together with a group of models, who do not usually appear in the fashion world, they embark on an exciting and bewildering journey to fulfill this seemingly impossible mission.

3.”El Cuadro”(“The Painting”) from Spain.

The film reveals the great mysteries of one of the most important paintings of all times. It transforms the audience into detectives, guides them through the labyrinth of clues that lead to deciphering the secret hidden by Velázquez.

4. “O Que Arde” (“Fire Will Come”)

This is the story of Amador (Amador Arias), born and raised in Galicia, who returns home after serving two years in prison, and his mother Benedicta (Benedicta Sanchez). has labored in the fields and taken care of their three cows. The film directed by Oliver Laxe is a Jury Prize winner in Cannes. It is also a co-production of Spain, France and Luxembourg.

5.”The Lure” from Poland

This 2015 movie by Agnieszka Smoczyńska. is about two mermaid sisters who are lured into working in a Warsaw night club. One twin falls in love with a human and gives up her tail, losing her voice in the process, while the other fears this might affect their dream of swimming to America. Yes, if the story line seems familiar, this is a reworking of the fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen, with inspiration from the director’s own experiences

6. “Nos Batailles” (“Our Struggles”)

This is a 2018 Belgian-French comedy-drama film directed by Guillaume Senez that received seven nominations at the 9th Magritte Awards and won five (the most for the event), including Best Film and Best Director. The film is about a father who juggles a job and takes care of two kids by himself.

7. “Trezon” from Hungary

This film is full of unexpected twists and “nothing and no one is what they seem to be.”

8. “Vores mand i Amerika” (“The Good Traitor”)

This 2020 release by Christina Rosendal is about Henrik Kauffmann and the signing of the Greenland treaty with the United States after the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War II.

9. “I Doulia tis” (“Her Job”) from Greece

Panayiota is an illiterate housewife who gets her first job as a cleaner. She rises from the ranks and gains her family respect; but this is prematurely stopped.

10. “La Madre” (“The Mother”) from Italy

This is an Italian film that talks about the passions, sufferings and torments of a priest, his mother and one of his parishioners.

11.”The Warden” from the Netherlands

An old man has been the warden of a bird sanctuary on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean for almost 50 years. One day, he receives notice that his posting will be discontinued. But the warden refuses to accept his dismissal and decides to fight back in his own way.

12. “Einer wie Erika” (“Erik and Erika”) from Austria

This is the true story of Erik Schinegger, the champion skier. As Erika she was celebrated. As Erik, he repudiated and accused of fraud.

13. “Acasă” (“My Home”) from Romania

“Acasă” is a Romanian film released in 2020 and directed by Radu Ciorniciuc. It is about nine children and their parents lived in perfect harmony with nature for 20 years until they are chased out and forced to adapt to life in the big city.

14. “Aurora” from Finland

This dramedy is about Aurora who meets Iranian Darian one night at a hotdog stand in Lapland. Darian is running from death and Aurora is running from love and they need each other in order to finally stop running.

15. “Kokon”(Cocoon”) from Germany

This film, told from a 14-year-old girl’s point of view, is about a summer of change. Nora, the silent observer, is always tagging along: At parties, at school, at the pool, on rooftops and in apartments. Nora drifts around the monotonous housing blocks with her big sister and her friends, witnessing events that seem to cross-fade in the summer light.

The German film Kokon (Cocoon) was released in 2020 and is directed by Leonie Krippendorff. It is an adventurous story of Nora, a shy 14-year-old Berlin girl, making her way into adulthood.

16. “Das Vorspiel” (“The Audition”)

This co-production film between Germany and France, tells the story of Anna Bronsky, a violin teacher at the Conservatoire. Against the advice of her colleagues, Anna imposes the admission of a pupil, in whom she sees a great talent. With a lot of involvement, she prepares Alexander for the end-of-year exam and neglects her young son Jonas, who is also a violinist and ice hockey fan.

Come and register at www.cineeuropaph.com and watch all these exciting films for free. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.