EU Film Festival is ‘Beyond Borders’

Diplomacy

Published: 29 May. 2007, 21:40

EU Film Festival is ‘Beyond Borders’

The third annual EU Film Festival, which started last Friday and wraps up tomorrow, features films from European Union states such as Germany, Finland, England, Spain and Greece. Provided by Seoul Art Cinema

Despite its name, the European Union is much more than a single entity. That’s the message the organizers of the third annual EU Film Festival, at the downtown Seoul Art Cinema, want to pass on.
“Each movie reflects this year’s motto, ‘Beyond Borders,’ in its own and typical way ― tragically, or with a sense of humor, politically or emotionally,” said Norbert Baas, Germany’s ambassador to Korea, on the opening night. “They all portray the many aspects of life in different European cultures that create the European identity. Films offer a unique way to share our emotions and identities. They enable us indeed to go beyond our borders.”
The festival, which started Friday and closes tomorrow, features 10 films from Sweden, England, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Finland, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany.
Brian McDonald, head of the European Commission delegation to Korea, said many people misunderstand Europe as a single object.
In reality, it is a collection of different unique cultures.
McDonald said the film festival reflects the European Union’s belief in freedom and prosperity. This year’s film festival, in particular, shows off the continent’s diversity.
Cho Chang-hee from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said he hopes the film festival will be an opportunity for the Korean film industry, which he says is currently suffering from a lack of diversity as blockbusters from Hollywood fill the theaters.
Additionally Cho said he hopes that the film festival would, as its motto insists, go beyond borders to bridge the cultures between Europe and Korea.
Jee Dong-hoon, head of the Europe-Korea Foundation, said communication and cultural exchanges help people understand each another. He hoped the festival would strengthen the relationships between the European Union and Korea.

The third annual EU Film Festival

The first film introduced at the festival was “Comrades in Dreams,” directed by the German director, Uli Gaulke.
Although the movie is German, it documents several people working in the film industry ― from projectionists to theater owners ― in India, Africa, North Korea and the United States.
Peter Winkler of the German Embassy, who organized this year’s film festival, said the film was chosen not only because it received an astounding review at the 2006 Pusan Film Festival, but also because it references finding unity amid diversity.
“The films ... show the diverse cultures of Europe and how those different cultures flow into one European identity.”
He said he was pleased by the number of people who attended this year.
“The EU Film Festival has become an institution in Seoul and we’ll definitely be putting it on again next year,” he said.

By Lee Ho-jeong Staff Writer [ojlee82@joongang.co.kr]