KUALA LUMPUR: Fans of contemporary European movies can catch an exciting selection of works at the 24th European Film Festival (EUFF) next week.
The festival, which opens on Oct 10 with the Spanish film Goya In Bordeaux at GSC Mid Valley Megamall, will feature 18 movies from 15 European countries.
Movie enthusiasts can watch the films screened in five participating Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) outlets in Malaysia.
The EUFF will kick off with screenings for the public from Oct 12 to 22 at GSC Mid Valley Megamall, MyTown and 1 Utama in the Klang Valley before moving on to GSC Gurney Plaza Penang from Oct 26 to Nov 1.
This year also marks the festival's return to Kuching via screenings at CityOne Megamall from Nov 2 to 5, following a four-year hiatus from Sarawak.
The European Union Ambassador to Malaysia, Michalis Rokas, said the EUFF, arguably the oldest and longest-running film festival in Malaysia, had grown into a cultural institution connecting people from all walks of life.
"It is a platform for Member States and partners within the continent, such as Ukraine, Norway and Switzerland, to showcase our legacy, passion and expertise in filmmaking to Malaysia and the world.
"Our rich tapestry of cultures, history, philosophy and landscapes are in full display during this event that Malaysia has played host to yearly since 1999," said Rokas at a recent press briefing for the EUFF.
He added that Kuching was reintroduced as a location for the festival's circuit in keeping with the EU's policy of reaching out to as many Malaysians as possible.
"The EU is celebrating our 20th anniversary in Malaysia, and in line with our spirit of togetherness and shared prosperity, we are glad to extend this additional venue as a mark of friendship and respect to Malaysia as a whole instead of just focusing on the Klang Valley and Peninsular Malaysia."
The Ambassador of Spain to Malaysia, José Luis Pardo Cuerdo, said his mission picked Goya In Bordeaux to launch the festival as the Kingdom was celebrating Pablo Picasso and his contributions to the world to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, drew inspiration from Francisco José de Goya y Luciente.
Goya's Disasters of War series has also been a crucial inspiration for Picasso's perspective on humanity's inherent brutality.
Pardo Cuerdo said the movie, written and directed by Carlos Saura, explores Goya's experiences and artistic evolution and is considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers of the modern age.
The film, which focuses on Goya's evolution as a man, his work and private obsessions, is set against the backdrop of the final months before his death.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Mission for Italy, Clara Cualbu, said the embassy curated Parents Vs. Influencers for its commentary on modern-day teen-raising.
She said the comedy directed by Michela Andreozzi was also chosen as it featured a contemporary subject.
"The film deals with the struggles of a middle-aged philosophy professor who grapples with his daughter's social media obsession and the differences between his generation and hers."
"Both movies presented by Italy, Parents Vs. Influencers and We Still Talk remind us of the complexity of human relationships, the importance of expanding our views and the immense power of empathy and love, universal themes that have no borders and concern us all whether we live in Italy, Malaysia or elsewhere in the world," she said.
These movies are among the 11 titles that will be screened for free during the EUFF.
The other free-to-watch movies are The Restless (Belgium), Neither With You (Hungary), 100 Days Of Ulysses (Ireland), The Brothers (Netherlands), Operation Artic (Norway), Ramona (Spain), Imad Childhood (Sweden) and Mr Jones (Ukraine).
Moviegoers can redeem the free tickets, packaged with an RM4 mineral water purchase per ticket, via e-payment on the GSC website and application or the ticketing kiosks at the participating cinemas.
The 24th EUFF is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia in collaboration with embassies and cultural institutions of EU Member States as well as Ukraine, Switzerland and Norway.
Tickets for the other movies will be sold at RM10 and shall be available via GSC E-payment services on www.gsc.com.my, GSC Mobile Apps or their participating cinemas from Oct 9.
Visit www.euff.com.my or www.gsc.com.my for more details on the movies and their screening schedules.