Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: European Film Fest returns to Vietnam

Thursday, May 7, 2009

European Film Fest returns to Vietnam

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.

The European Film Festival will take place at:

- National Cinema Centre, 87 Lang Ha, Hanoi
- Galaxy Nguyen Trai Cinema, 230 Nguyen Trai, District 1, HCM City

All movies will be screened twice, and will have Vietnamese voice-over. Free tickets are available as of May 6 in Hanoi and as of May 15 in HCM City, at the following addresses:

Hanoi: The Goethe Institute, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc and the British Council, 20 Thuy Khue
HCM City: The Goethe Institute, 335/4 Dien Bien Phu; the British Council, 25 Le Duan; and the Galaxy Nguyen Trai Cinema, 230 Nguyen Trai.

PV

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.