European Union Film Fest: Like A Eurail Pass, Only Cheaper

We’ve been hearing about this European Union Film Festival (EUFF) for weeks now. I for one never did the whole "backpacking through Europe" thing, so I get excited at the prospect of a filmic peek at the Old World. But as is often the case with things like this in Beijing, it was high on hype, low on details. Now, finally, some screenings are set and the (virtual) train is pulling out of the station, with a showing each night at the BC MOMA from Nov 1-14. Below, find our highlights and descriptions of some of the films, as well as handy trailers to whet your appetites.

This is the third year the EUFF is hurtling through Beijing, with one standout film selected to represent every EU nation. As you would expect, the selection is superb, with dramas, comedies, documentaries, action films and mysteries all represented. Watch French monks living through sectarian violence, teenagers dealing with death in the Netherlands, a poor apprentice learning dark magic in Germany, an Italian anti-war activist filmmaker, a down-and-outer bantering with his football hero in the UK and more.

More screenings are on their way at Instituto Cervantes (Nov 15-21) and other venues around town, but details on those are still scant. We’ll keep you posted. (The real eager beavers among you might try calling Instituto Cervantes and asking about their EUFF screenings.)

For now, all films below will show at BC MOMA, with ticket prices as follows:

Regular: RMB 40
Students & Seniors: RMB 30
BC Members (100): RMB 25
BC Members (VIP1000): RMB 20

And now for the films:

THE NETHERLANDS
Dusk, by Hanro Smitsman (Drama, 90min)
Not your typical high school movie. The six teenagers in this one find their friend lying dead on a riverbank, and their friendships devolve into tales of jealousy, insecurity and peer pressure. This trailer lacks English subtitles, but with a group of high schoolers, you can almost guess what they're saying: "OMG. Is that Jessie?" "No way, your boobs are totally bigger than mine." No? Is that just in America?
Nov 1, 7pm
Nov 13, 7.30pm

POLAND
Trick, by Jan Hryniak (Action, 93min) A minister has been kidnapped and the ransom is six million dollars – but of course the United Nations does not negotiate with terrorists, so he's out of luck. Meanwhile, an agent on the case goes to a master counterfeiter he put behind bars for help. (Is this starting to sound like White Collar, that USA Network show?)
Nov 2, 7.30pm
Nov 9, 7.30pm

GERMANY
Krabat, by Marco Kreuzpaintner (Fantasy/mystery, 120min)
This is what Harry Potter might have been if Harry had fallen in with Voldemort instead of Dumbledore. Krabat, a 14-year-old orphan, struggles to survive until he becomes an apprentice to a mysterious "teacher" who happens to look like a cross between Mad-Eye Moody and Emperor Palpatine, and oh, also seems to run some sort of dark magic cult. Will love and courage save him from darkness?
Nov 3, 7.30pm
Nov 10, 7.30pm

SWEDEN
Miss Kicki, by Håkon Liu (Drama, 88min)
In this promising Sweden/Taiwan co-production, a deadbeat mom reconnects with her son Viktor and plans a trip for them both to Taiwan – not telling him her main goal is to meet a man from an Internet romance. Like any good teenager, Viktor is upset and runs off, seeking his own adventure with a young Taiwanese man.
Nov 4, 7pm

IRELAND
His & Hers, by Ken Wardrop (Documentary, 80min)
This film charms as it explores the mundane yet often profound ways different women experience the men in their lives – as fathers, boyfriends, husbands and sons. It's also a distinctly Irish film, with the isle's cozy homes serving as a backdrop to the stories that unfold within them.
Nov 5, 7.30pm

GREECE
False Alarm, by Katerina Evangelakou (Drama, 88min)
A mysteriously triggered car alarm forces a building's inhabitants to intermingle over their annoyance and frustration. What will result when these neighbors' paths cross?
Nov 6, 7.30pm

ITALY
20 Cigarettes, by Aureliano Amadei (Drama, 94min)
The true story of a young anti-war activist who becomes assistant director on a film about the Italian military's “peace mission” in Iraq. Despite his prejudices, he discovers a great sense of humanity and brotherhood in the people he meets. But before he even gets a chance to finish a pack of cigarettes, he's caught up in an attack on the army barracks. (Again, no subtitles on this trailer, but the action speaks for itself.)
Nov 7, 7.30pm
Nov 11, 7pm

BELGIUM
The Barons, by Nabil Ben Yadir (Comedy, 106min)
Three friends who call themselves "The Barons" decide that the fewer steps one takes in life, the richer and more satisfying an inner life they'll lead. Of course, this proves unsustainable when "real life" starts creeping in, and they must deal with messy things like love and their futures.
Nov 8, 7.30pm

UK
Looking for Eric, by Ken Loach (Comedy, 116min)
Eric Bishop is going through a crisis. His girlfriend left him with her two sons and the older boy gets mixed up with the wrong crowd. Meanwhile, Eric’s daughter wants him to get back in touch with her mother. When he panics, Eric talks to the poster of his idol, legendary footballer Eric Cantona. One day, Cantona talks back ...
Nov 12, 7.30pm

FRANCE
Of Gods And Men, by Xavier Beauvois (Drama, 120min)
In a monastery high in the mountains of the Maghreb, eight French Christian monks live in harmony with their Muslim brothers. As violence and terror slowly take hold of the region, the monks resolve not to flee, no matter what it may cost them.
Nov 14, 7.30pm

Broadway Cinematheque MOMA (BC MOMA)
North area of Dongzhimen MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Dongzhimen, Chaoyang District (8438 8258) 当代MOMA百老汇电影中心, 朝阳区东直门香河园路1号, 万国城北区（二环路东北角）

Photo: Europeword.com