South African movie buffs are in for a treat as two Oscar nominees and other thought-provoking award-winning films from Europe will shown during the 11th European Film Festival.
Under the theme “Complicated Freedoms”, movie buffs in the two provinces will have the privilege of watching films that offer a cinematic reflection of gender-based violence, patriarchy and convention, relationships and independence, humour, satire and surrealism, coming-of-age stories and dysfunctional families.
The festival is set to take place over 10 days, from October 10 to 20, at Ster Kinekor, The Zone in Johannesburg and The Labia in Cape Town.
The line-up features 14 captivating films from Belgium, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK.
Eleven of the 14 films shown will be available for free online for public viewing.
Oscar-nominated “Io Capitano” has been chosen to be the opening film.
Based on tales of real experiences by people who have made these difficult modern odysseys, it tells the epic story of two adolescent boys from Senegal who go across Africa in search of a dream known as Europe.
“Io Capitano” is eventually a voyage of bravery and hope despite the many perils of the sea, the desert, and violent racketeers encountered along the way.
It also raises issues of inequality and racism, but also highlights the presence of humanity and compassion in unexpected places.
Magdalene Reddy, the co-director of the festival, said that all the films address topical issues found in most democracies.
“The films this year offer a multifaceted and evocative glimpse of what freedom means to a wide-ranging cast of characters and in an equally diverse range of situations – complicated freedoms.”
Other films on the line-up include.
“Baan”
Written and directed by rising filmmaker, Leonor Teles, the Portuguese film is an innate search for both freedom and belonging in what is ultimately a journey of ongoing self-discovery.
“Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry”
This award-winning Swiss film, which is directed by Elene Naveriani, tells the story of a 48-year-old woman in a Georgian village who finds herself passionately falling for a man.
She is suddenly faced with the decision whether to pursue the relationship or continue her life of independence.
The movie makes a strong point about sexual awakening, ageism, and female empowerment.
“Citizen Saint”
The black and white classic by Tinatin Kajrishvili, tells the the story of a mining town where the disappearance of a revered statue of a saint coincides with the arrival of a mysterious stranger.
A series of miracles create more chaos than good and controversial choices have to be made.
“Dying”
German Film Awards winner, “Dying” unpacks the dynamics and dysfunctionality between the very different members of the Lunies family.
“Grey Bees”
The Ukrainian film is directed by Dmyto Moiseiev. It tells the tale of the last two remaining inhabitants in a tiny village in the no-man's-land between loyalist and separatist forces in the Donbas region in the days before the Russian invasion.
“Kneecap”
The Sundance Film Festival Audience Choice award-winning film, looks at a hip-hop trio in Belfast who, by rapping in their native Irish language, become the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue.
“Love According to Dalva”
Through the account of a young girl who was sexually abused as a youngster, the film paints a stunning picture of friendship, healing, and identity.
This multi-award winning film deals with a highly sensitive subject but one that has relevance in South Africa where child abuse is very high.
“Sweet Dreams”
Directed by Ena Sendijarević , this audacious tale follows the delicious demise of colonialism on a remote Indonesian island.
Personal aspirations are portrayed against a setting of profound intrigue, passion, and worker upheavals in this satirical and occasionally surreal masterpiece.
“The Other Way Around”
Directed by Jonás Trueba, a filmmaker couple have decided to separate and come up with the idea of throwing a party to celebrate the break-up.
It is a very contemporary comedy drama that teases out witty and highly believable performances from the cast with some revealing insight into how relationships work, or don’t work.
“The Peasants”
This is a comic, tragic, and reflective story of one woman’s yearning for independence in a rural Polish village in the 19th century.
The staged performances, which are full of ecstatic dancing and beautiful song, are painstakingly painted frame after frame by more than 100 oil painters in a unique kind of animation.
“The Quiet Girl”
In the Oscar-nominated Irish film, directed by Colm Bairéad, a young girl is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with relatives for the summer where she blossoms and discovers a new way of living.
Raw and profoundly empathetic, it is a story about childhood and the transformative power of love and human kindness.
“The Taste of Things”
Set in 19 century France, the film is a touching love story that revolves around gastronomy in a way you just won’t see in the modern foodie films and TV series.
“Unruly”
Women's voices will not be suppressed, in “Unruly” as demonstrated by director Malou Reyman's unwavering and compassionate portrayal of young women fighting patriarchy and the denial of their rights at a 1930s women's facility.
It is also a strong reminder that achieving emancipation remains an ongoing process.
For more information visit www.eurofilmfest.co.za.