VietNamNet Bridge – Fourteen movies from 14 European countries will be screened at the 10th European Film Festival in Hanoi (May 11-21) and HCM City (May 21-30).

Besides 14 movies from 14 European countries, the European Film Festival 2009 will include a British Film Week to commemorate director John Schlesinger (photo).

The film festival will be presented by the Mission of the European Union in Vietnam and embassies and cultural institutes of EU member countries, in cooperation with the Vietnam Cinema Agency. The festival aims to introduce the diversity of the European cinema to Vietnamese audiences and is considered one of the most successful multi-cultural events in Vietnam. Last year’s festival attracted around 8,000 viewers in Hanoi and HCM City. The first European Film Festival was launched in 2000.

Besides 14 movies from 14 European countries, the highest number so far, the European Film Festival 2009 will include a Finnish Film Week sponsored by the Finnish Embassy and a British Film Week to commemorate director John Schlesinger (original version, with subtitles, at the Cinematheque).

The European Film Festival is a component of a Europe Days program in Vietnam, centering on ‘Europe Day’ (May 9).

The series of events includes, in addition to the film screenings, a painting and sculptural exhibition by Spanish artist Alberto Corazon; a workshop and exhibition on cartoons by the Belgian artist Peyo, held by the Wallonia-Brussels mission; a screening of the classic silent movie, ‘The Battleship Potemkin’ sponsored by the Goethe Institute complete with a live performance of the orchestral score; ‘Stradivaria,’ a French classical music concert, at French Embassy; a Sibelius concert at the Finnish Embassy; and the Suite Espanola dance and music show atf the Spanish Embassy.

PV