Twenty contemporary films from Europe were
showcased in Khartoum.
It was a welcome festival for film lovers
in Khartoum from 6-12 November’09.Three different venues and each screened a
different film every day at 8 pm. One could achieve to see a maximum of seven
films in that week. It was either open air lawn at the British Council or the
terrace in Goethe Institut or Centre Culturel Francais.
The European Film Festival has its offices
at Paris, Berlin and London. Each of these countries has their cultural centers
in Khartoum. This festival was cooperation between ten European countries and
the European Commission.
The opening of the festival was marked by
a reception hosted by H.E. Mr. Jan Sadek the Ambassador of Sweden at his
residence on 5th November. Sweden holds the Presidency of European
Union till 31st December’09. While the invited guests were watching
the trailers of the films projected on the wall and settling down, the James
Bond signature tune was played. One was wondering what it was for. When the
music stopped, Mr. Jan Sadek came under the spotlight to make his welcome
speech. The people could immediately connect to the film festival.
The films shown were Slumdog Millionaire and The
Damned United from UK; Krabat and
Eye to Eye from Germany; Seraphine
and Home from France; North and Troubled Water from Norway; Love
is All and Storm Bound from
Netherlands; Don’t Think About It and
We Can Do That from Italy; Let
the right one in and Kidz in da hood from
Sweden; White Night and Fighter from Denmark; La flaqueza del Bolchevique and Cosas que nunca te dije from Spain; Late Bloomers and My name is Eugen from Switzerland.
The European Film Festival gave an
opportunity to the film buffs in Khartoum to watch contemporary European
culture and discuss the films.
It was interesting to hear the introduction
given by respective Ambassadors or representatives from the Embassies before
each film. The audiences appreciated all the films and gave a loud applause
after each film. The most discussed films were Troubled Water from Norway and Late
Bloomers from Switzerland for their techniques, acting and take home
messages. Home from France was screened
with no English subtitles but had an Arabic voice-over. This was an interesting
documentary creating awareness about our endangered planet because of ecological
disequilibrium and global warming. The question in the minds of the audience
was whether the director Yann Arthus-Bertrand shot the whole film aboard an
aircraft all throughout his journey around the planet.
If you have missed the festival you need
not go to Europe. Make a trip to Juba from 7-11 December’09.
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