26th euff media releaseeeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/26th_euff_media_release.pdf · simshar...
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Media Release For Immediate Release 26th European Union Film Festival Presents A Cinematographic Journey Across Europe
The Best of Contemporary European Cinema
Singapore, 22 April 2016 – The European Union Film Festival (EUFF), Singapore's longest-
running foreign film festival, returns to screens at Golden Village Suntec City from 10 to 22 May
2016. Since its inception in 1990, the EUFF has been providing audiences in Singapore with a
taste of Europe’s contemporary creativity through a plethora of films that are rarely screened
outside of Europe. This year's 26th edition puts the focus on the Netherlands as the feature
country and showcases 30 films. This represents the largest number of films shown at the
EUFF since it started, with Lithuania joining the festival for the first time. This year’s festival
also continues its long tradition of collaborating with a local film school, presenting student films
from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film and Media Studies (FMS) alongside the official
film selection.
The largest showcase yet, the 26th EUFF presents a cinematographic journey across Europe.
Each year, the festival brings the Singaporean and European communities together for an
opportunity to have an intercultural dialogue. From big-budget productions to arthouse features,
audiences in Singapore will have access to the rich tapestry of European cultures through the
EUFF. The festival features some of the most enduring stories that explore the past, present,
and future of Europe, from the characters who have helped shape European history to
contemporary issues that are faced by European society today. Through the art of cinema,
films have the power to bring diversity to the foreground, while underscoring shared values and
human emotions, which are the core of Europe’s common cultural heritage.
An Award-Winning Line-Up
This year’s festival will open with the Dutch film Admiral (2015), in the presence of director Roel
Reiné. This Dutch epic tale set in the 17th century tells the story of Dutch naval hero Michiel de
Ruyter, who played a pivotal role in securing a future for the young republic of the Netherlands
during a time of both international and internal turmoil. Starring award-winning actor Frank
Lammers, the film received many nominations at the 2015 Netherlands Film Festival.
Another stunning film in the EUFF line-up is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning
Ukrainian film, The Tribe (2014), winner of the coveted Critics’ Week Grand Prix at the 2014
Cannes Film Festival. This startling work of cinematic storytelling is director Myroslav
Slaboshpytskiy’s feature debut. Devoid of dialogue and subtitles, the story is told entirely
through Ukrainian sign language. The film unfolds at a specialised boarding school for the
hearing impaired, focusing on a young man’s struggle to find his place among the school’s
social hierarchy.
Another notable and award-winning film in the 26th EUFF line-up is the French globetrotting
documentary Tomorrow (2015), winner of Best Documentary in the 2016 César Award in
France. Directed by internationally renowned actress-filmmaker Mélanie Laurent and director
Cyril Dion, Tomorrow presents a fascinating investigation into ways in which activists are trying
to provide solutions to help the environment.
Sweden presents the group-therapy drama Hotel (2013), starring Academy Award winning
actress, Alicia Vikander. Directed by Lisa Langseth who has previously collaborated with
Vikander, Hotel also received four nominations at the 2014 Guldbbage Awards, Sweden's
equivalent to the Academy Awards. Other stellar performances can also be found in the
critically-acclaimed German drama Phoenix (2014), directed by Christian Petzold, which is set
during post-war Berlin in the 1940s. Phoenix stars Nina Hoss, who was nominated for Best
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in the 2015 German Film Awards. Latvia
presents their Latvian-Japanese documentary Ruch and Norie (2015). Winner of four
categories in the 2015 Latvian National Film Awards including Best Documentary, this
heartwarming film is about an extraordinary friendship against all odds.
Two other extraordinary films based on true events which also feature stories about defying the
odds are Poland's gripping drama, Gods (2014), and Malta's first international feature film,
Simshar (2014). Gods is a fast-paced medical drama directed by Łukasz Palkowski, about
Zbigniew Religa, the doctor who performed the first successful heart transplant in Poland. As
for Simshar, the film tells of two parallel stories of survival at sea which unravel in Malta and its
surrounding waters in 2008, where the lives of local fisherman intersect with asylum seekers
travelling by boat. The film was Malta's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th
Academy Awards.
As a nod to commemorate William Shakespeare’s death 400 years ago, the United Kingdom
presents BAFTA nominated Prospero’s Book (1991). Written and directed by notable filmmaker
Peter Greenway, the film is a cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. This is
witnessed through the eyes of the lead character Prospero, played by John Gielgud in his last
film appearance in a leading role.
Something for the Family
Families can also look forward to a selection of films during the weekend, that is fit for all ages.
Italy presents The Invisible Boy (2014), a fantasy film about a teenage boy with a mysterious
super power. Switzerland's adventure film Little Mountain Boy (2015), winner of Best
Cinematography at the 2016 Swiss Film Prize, will delight audiences with its visually stunning
film adaptation of the famous Swiss children's book, Schellen Ursli (A Bell for Ursli). For fans of
animated films, Ireland presents their Oscar nominated Best Animated Feature Film Song of
the Sea (2015). Directed by Tomm Moore and Paul Young, this is a visually stunning animated
production about a tale of friendship and adventure.
The EUFF also offers audiences the opportunity to discover the work of local aspiring young
filmmakers that embody the creative spirit of storytelling told from the Singapore perspective.
Ten of the best short films by students from the Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film and
Media Studies (FMS) will precede the European films. This is the second time since 2010 in
which FMS is partnering with the EUFF to present its students’ works. This is a collaboration
that establishes a cultural bridge between Europe and Asia.
“The European Union Film Festival has been the EU’s flagship event in Singapore’s ever
vibrant cultural calendar for more than 25 years, bringing the arts and culture of Europe to a
Singaporean audience. The EUFF allows movie lovers to immerse themselves in the cultural
diversity of Europe, taking audiences on a cinematic journey to discover the people,
landscapes and traditions of Europe. We are looking forward to this 26th edition of our film
festival in Singapore which we hope will bring further intercultural exchange and contribute to
Singapore’s cosmopolitan landscape,” says H.E. Dr Michael Pulch, EU Ambassador to
Singapore.
The 26th European Union Film Festival runs from 10 to 22 May 2016. Tickets are priced at $12.
Singapore Film Society members, Golden Village Movie Club members and Ngee Ann
Polytechnic Students enjoy $1 off the Festival tickets. It will be available online on the Golden
Village website at www.gv.com.sg and through walk-in at Golden Village box offices island
wide from 28 April 2016. More ticketing and film programme details can be found at
http://euff.sg/. Follow the EUFF on Twitter, @euffsg and Facebook, fb.com/euffsg.
For more information, please contact: Phish Communications Siti Annazia (Ms) [email protected] 6344 2953 #####
About European Union Film Festival
The European Union Film Festival is an annual event that showcases a selection of European
films, giving local audiences a taste of Europe’s diversity and creativity. Films screened are
recent and have encountered success in their country of origin. The films showcased in this
festival may belong to a specific country, but they are all representative of Europe’s common
cultural heritage. This film festival, now in its 26th year, is a window into the intriguing world of
European cinema but also an opportunity to improve exposure of local talents.
About European Union in Singapore
The Delegation of the European Union in Singapore represents the EU in Singapore. It works
together with Member States to enhance the presence and visibility of the European Union in
Singapore and to promote closer ties with the Government of Singapore and Singaporean
business and citizens, notably in the areas of trade, foreign policy, higher education, and
science and technology. With the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Union received additional
competences, in particular on foreign policy. Since January 2013, the Head of Delegation of the
EU to Singapore is Michael Pulch.
About Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film
Established in 1989, Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film & Media Studies (FMS) is
a pioneering tertiary institution that offers education and training locally in the applied media
arts. The School believes in giving students an enriching learning experience that enables them
to excel both in the dynamic film and media industry, and in further education. It does this
through time-tested programmes that prepare students to meet professional standards while
stimulating their creativity, sharpening their analytical and communication skills, and fuelling
their passion. FMS has nurtured many outstanding graduates.