Euro film festival returns

The festival will present 10 internationally-acclaimed films, never screened before in South Africa, which represent the best of European cinema.

The festival will take place at Cinema Nouveau theatres, in partnership with 10 European cultural agencies and embassies in South Africa.

All the films have received numerous awards and accolades at festivals and competitions, including the Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival, and they are the latest productions by Europe’s most exciting and talented directors.

“The theme of love serves as an interesting starting point for a European film selection,” said festival director Darryl Els.

“This contemporary selection of films allow us to experience tales beyond the cliche and ‘national’ narrative, [and offers] challenging, entertaining and compelling images of love and the current state of Europe.”

Cinema Nouveau brand manager, Lola Gallant, said she was delighted that the festival would be held this year.

“We pride ourselves on providing a platform to screen the best foreign language fare and the 10 films lined up… are a must see,” she said.

“We are privileged to offer these films which would otherwise not be available in South Africa… and are grateful to all the partners involved in putting this festival together.”

This year’s festival will also feature an outreach screening programme and a competition that will give ticket-holders the chance to win a trip for two to France, courtesy of Air France and Atout France.

The festival was co-ordinated by the French Institute of South Africa and was organised in partnership with the European Union, the British Council, the Camoes Institute, Goethe-Institut, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Flemish government delegation and the embassies of Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Spain.

The festival is comprised of the following films:

Paradise: Love (Austria), Cannes Film Festival 2012.

The Broken Circle Breakdown (Belgium), 2014 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film.

The Hunt (Denmark), Cannes Film Festival 2012, 2014 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film.

Stranger by the Lake (France), Cannes Film Festival 2013, best director award in Un Certain Regard section.

Barbara (Germany), Berlin International Film Festival 2012, best director award.

The Great Beauty (Italy), 2014 Academy Award for best foreign language film.

Tabu (Portugal), Berlin International Film Festival.

Child’s Pose (Romania), Berlin International Film Festival 2013, Golden Bear (best film).

Living is Easy with Eyes Closed (Spain), San Sebastian International Film Festival.

Le Week-End (United Kingdom), Toronto International Film Festival.

Details: 082 16789; www.cinemanouveau.co.za; Twitter: @nouveaubuzz