The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines and the EU Member States Embassies, together with Cultúr Éireann, Irish Film Institute, Goethe Institut Manila, the Philippine-Italian Association, and Instituto Cervantes de Manila, recently celebrated the opening of Cine Europa’s 25th Anniversary Edition at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Large Screen Cinema. Cebu has been one of the pioneer host cities of the film festival since Cine Europa was first brought outside Manila in 2001.
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At the launch of Cine Europa 25 at SM Seaside City Cebu. (L-R) Arts Council of Cebu Foundation President Dr. Vivina Chiu-Yrastorza; Nicole Weisman, wife of EU Ambassador Luc Veron; Dr. Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation; SM Prime Holdings Vice President Marissa Fernan; and EU Delegation Information Officer Robert Leon. |
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| (L-R) Embassy of Poland’s Counsellor-Minister Ana Krzak-Danel and Charge d’ affaires a.i. Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz, with EU Delegation Information Officer Robert Leon and Ella May Arevalo. |
This year, thirty award-winning films from Europe have been specially lined up for the silver anniversary showcase and will follow a hybrid format. Film enthusiasts can register at www.cineeuropaph.com to enjoy the festival online, or on-site at partner venues until October 28, 2022.
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| (L-R) Members of Cebu’s business community Kelie Ko, Steven Yu, and Enrison Benedicto attended the opening of the milestone edition of this year’s Cine Europa. |
“Film is deeply rooted in Europe’s culture which we are very proud about,” said Dr. Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, who graced the festival opening. “It mirrors our identity and speaks a lot about our heritage and what we are”.
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| Violinist Marc Mercado. |
Dr. Sanchez Ruiz was joined by Nicole Weisman, wife of EU Ambassador Luc Veron, and festival partners including SM Prime Holdings vice president Marissa Fernan and Arts Council of Cebu Foundation President Dr. Vivina Chiu-Yrastorza. Members of Cebu’s diplomatic corps, arts and culture community, business, academe, and the media also attended the launch.
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| Arts Council of Cebu’s Kingsley Benedict Sode Medalla. |
Guests were seen enjoying the festival’s opening film Páfsi (Pause), a drama from Cyprus and Greece focusing on a middle-aged woman and the fantasy world that she uses to escape her real world misery — and what happens when the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur. The film is directed by Cypriot Tonia Mishiali, whose work focuses on women’s and social issues.
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| Marit Stinus-Cabugon of Manila Times and Cebu Citizens Press Council. |
Cebuanos also had a rare opportunity to watch other Cine Europa offerings at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Large Screen Cinema. These included Sanremo, from Slovenia and Italy; Libertad (Freedom), from Spain; Mysi Patri Do Nebe (Even Mice Belong in Heaven), from the Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, and Poland; Kapsalon Romy (Romy’s Salon) from the Netherlands and Germany; and Bicycle Thieves: Pumped Up, from Ireland.
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| (L-R) Sunstar Cebu’s Nelia Neri with husband Julius. |
The line-up also included Nematoma (Invisible) from Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Spain; Lola Vers La Mer (Lola) from Belgium and France; Aatos Ja Amine (Gods of Molenbeek), from Finland, Belgium, and Germany; Las Niñas (Schoolgirls) from Spain; Marina, from Belgium; Un Triomphe (The Big Hit), from France; Seltsimees Laps (The Little Comrade), from Estonia; and Dating Amber, from Ireland.
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| Maripaz Vicente-Perdices, wife of Spain Honorary Consul Anton Perdices, with son Lorenzo. |
Cine Europa 25 is one of the exciting cultural events at SM Seaside City Cebu and SM Cinema. Festival partners also include the Arts Council of Cebu, Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Parks and Development Committee, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. (SM PR)
