33e festival du film de l’union européenne
16 Novembre, 2018 - 2 Decembre, 2018
Alma Duncan Salon (Level 3), Galerie d’Art d’Ottawa
Entrée: 10 Daly Avenue ou 50 Mackenzie King Bridge
Bienvenue à la 33e édition annuelle de notre Festival du film de l'Union européenne ! Pendant les quatre prochaines semaines, nous présenterons 27 films de 27 États-membres de l'Union européenne. Tous les films sont projetés en première à Ottawa.
Pour cette édition 2018, le Festival du film de l'Union européenne a un nouveau foyer: la Hall Alma Duncan de la Galerie D'Art D'Ottawa. Nous remercions nos partenaires de cet important événement culturel : la Délégation de l'Union européenne au Canada, les États-membres de l'UE qui y participent, et la Galerie D'Art D'Ottawa.
Au nom des membres du Conseil d'administration, du personnel et des bénévoles de l'Institut canadien du film, je vous souhaite un voyage cinématographique passionnant et enrichissant dans les cinémas impressionnants de l'Union européenne.
Vive le cinema!
ENTRÉE:
Grand public: $13
Membres de l’Institut canadien du film et les membres de la Galerie d'Art d'Ottawa, Étudiants et l’age d’or (65+), avec carte d’identité: $9 Achetez cartes de membres ICF ICI
ICF Ambassadeurs : ENTREE LIBRE
Pour se procurer des billets en avance:
En ligne: voir la page de chaque film pour son lien de billet
Billetterie: EUFF (ouvre 30 minutes avant chaque projection) ou au bureau de CFI de 10h à 16h en semaine à compter du 12 novembre (2 Daly Ave. Suite 120).
Les billets à l'avance vous garantissent une place jusqu'à 15 minutes avant le début de la projection.
Nous acceptons l'argent comptant, le crédit et le débit à notre guichet.
Program
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Sunday, Dec. 2 4pm
Paula van der Oest, 2016 | 105mins
Adapted from the critically acclaimed eponymous Dutch novel, Tonio is a powerful exploration of the nature of grief. The plot revolves around Adri and Mirjam, two middle-aged novelists with a 21 year-old son, Tonio. When they receive news that their son has been killed in an automobile accident, their lives are changed utterly. The film also focuses attention on the character of Tonio himself, as he struggles with the complexities of adult responsibility before his untimely death. Featuring a bold cinematic style, Tonio contains a brilliantly executed fragmented plot structure, with ample flashbacks that connect the family’s past to its present. Ambitious and stirring, Tonio was a runaway success in the Netherlands, and was the official Dutch selection for Best Foreign Language film at the 89th Academy Awards.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Dec. 1 8:30pm
Olivier Peyon, 2017 | 96mins
It's been four years since Sylvie's son Felipe was abducted by his father Pablo after their divorce. Having been let down by the French officials who had succeeded in tracking both them down, only to let them escape again, Sylvie has now decided to take matters into her own hands. Sylvie gains new information on the whereabouts of her son, via a private detective she hires. Aided by her friend and social worker Mehdi, Sylvie sets off to Uruguay, where Felipe is rumoured to be living. What she discovers will force her into a dramatic new set of life choices. The second feature film by promising director Olivier Peyon, Life Beyond Me is an intense personal drama of love, loss, and the possibilities of reconciliation.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Dec. 1 6:30pm
Inari Niemi, 2017 | 92mins
From Finnish director Inari Niemi comes Wonderland, a poignant and emotionally complex film that takes place during the familiar holiday of Christmas. The film centres on Helena, a middle-aged woman who quickly becomes disenchanted with her life when her husband leaves her for a much younger woman. Encouraged to experience a wholesome and cheerful Christmas by her optimistic and single friend Ulli, both women are whisked away to an innovative and secluded bed-and-breakfast in the Finnish countryside, ran by a couple named Unna and Tuure. Although on the surface everything seems jovial and familial, it isn’t long before the group of adults confide in each other, revealing their fatigued outlooks on life in general. Featuring enticing and Jussi Award nominated performances from Finnish actresses Milka Ahlroth (Helena) and Anna Paavilainen (Unna), Wonderland acts as a thought provoking multi-character study, providing a unique look in to the complex lives of Finnish adults.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Dec. 1 4pm
Kiur Aarma, Raimo Joerand, 2018 | 75mins
Directors Kiur Aarma and Raimo Joerand construct an absorbing portrait of one of the most unusual periods in Estonian history in Rodeo, a documentary which deals with the rapid ascent to high political office of 32-year old Mart Laar, the youngest prime minister in European history. In 1992, Estonia held its first free election since World War II, and elected the inexperienced Laar, who was tasked with providing order to the country, which was at that time in complete chaos. Closely chronicling the innumerable ups and downs of Laar’s time in public office, the film deals with the storied relationship between Estonia and the Soviet Union, both prior to and during Laar’s stint as Prime Minister of Estonia. Rodeo is full of twists and turns that seem unbelievable at times, but this engaging film is a testament to the adage that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
Presented with English subtitles.
Friday, Nov. 30 8:30pm
Nick Kelly, 2017 | 94mins
Featuring a touching plot highlighted by topical commentary on the nature of mental illness, The Drummer and the Keeper is the feature length debut for Irish musician-turned-director Nick Kelly. Gabriel, a teenage rock drummer with a rebellious and spunky streak, is frustrated when he is suddenly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Forced to seek treatment by his family and bandmates, Gabriel begins attending therapeutic soccer matches on the advice of his therapist. During one soccer match he strikes an unorthodox and tenuous friendship with Christopher, a neurotic but admirable goalkeeper with Asperger’s Syndrome. Although their relationship is antagonistic at first, before long, Gabriel and Christian form an unlikely bond that will change them forever.
Friday, Nov. 30 6:30pm
Andy Bausch, 2017 | 94mins
Youthful rebellion and senior retirement enjoyably collide in Rusty Boys, a side-splitting comedy surrounding the boisterous lives of four senior Luxembourgish men; Fons (70), Jean-Louis (82), Nicolas (65), and Jangi (84). Disillusioned with the expectations of their families and society as a whole, they decide to begin to live life by their own rules. When ultimately threatened with the prospects of living the rest of their lives in a mundane retirement home headed by an oppressive matriarch, the four men decide to establish their own retirement home, liberated by the redundant rules and restrictions they so desperately despise. Featuring laugh-out-loud performances from revered Luxembourg actors Fernando Fox (Jangi), and Paul Greisch (Jean-Louis), Rusty Boys provides a surprisingly touching portrayal of living as a senior citizen, and was partially funded through the Luxembourg Film Fund, a part of the Creative Europe initiative.
Presented with English subtitles.
Thursday, Nov. 29 8:30pm
Miranda Bowen, 2016 | 80mins
Lucille and Joe have moved to Gozo, a tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Malta. They have a nice car, a steady income, a beautiful farmhouse with breathtaking views and a swimming pool. They seem to have it all. But when a young tourist goes missing on the island, Joe's troubled conscience begins to get the better of him. As the buried horrors of Lucille and Joe's past resurface, the cracks begin to show in their homespun paradise.
Presented with English subtitles.
Thursday, Nov. 29 6:30pm
Robin Pront, 2015 | 93mins
Marking his feature film debut, Flemish film director Robin Pront constructs a powerfully affecting narrative of betrayal, organized crime and love in The Ardennes, which deals with troubled pasts and a dangerous love triangle. The plot centres around brothers Dave and Kenneth, two relatively successful Flemish criminals with an appetite for violence. When a brutal car-jacking goes awry however, Dave is forced to leave Kenneth behind, where he is apprehended by the police. Four years later, tensions fly when Kenneth is released from prison, only to find his brother leading a more wholesome life, albeit in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Sylvie. Featuring a distinctly cold visual style inspired by the mountain ranges it’s named after, The Ardennes was an official selection at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. “This is storytelling as lean and unpredictable as a fighting dog; it’s one of the strongest first features I’ve seen this year.” - Wendy Ide, The Guardian
Presented with English subtitles.
Monday, Nov. 26 7pm
Marta Meszaros, 2017 | 104mins
The latest feature by famed Hungarian director Marta Meszaros, Aurora Borealis is an intense, emotional film that deals with the themes of trauma, family history, and coming of age. Olga, a middle aged Hungarian woman working as a lawyer in Vienna is suddenly uprooted when she receives news that her elderly mother, Maria, has fallen in to a coma. Upon rushing back home to aid Maria, Olga gradually learns that the entire history of her family has been a lie, one staunchly guarded by Maria herself. To complicate matters further, Olga also begins to struggle with her own self-acceptance, and is forced to confront the nature of her mysterious identity. Packed with brilliantly executed flashbacks that tell both Olga and Maria’s life stories, Aurora Borealis is a poignant drama that delves into to unseen and unspoken personal histories.
Presented with English subtitles.
Sunday, Nov. 25 6:30pm
Marco Nabersnik, 2017 | 116mins
Featuring lifelike characters and a universally relatable narrative, Slovenia, Australia and Tomorrow the World follows the story of Boris Jenko, a middle class family man who works as an electrician within a multi-level company. Jaded by the prospects of perpetually unadventurous family life, Boris begins to have dreams of greater success, dreams that come to fruition when he is tapped to work for Cosmica, a largely successful company providing door to door sales and counselling services. Problems arise however when Boris realizes that this lifestyle of wheeling and dealing and success within his business comes at the cost of his steady family life. Illuminatingly poignant and markedly funny at times, Slovenia, Australia and Tomorrow the World contains a unique blend of drama and comedy, highlighted by performances by Slovenian stalwarts Jure Ivanusic and Aljosa Ternovsek, and was nominated for the Golden Sun Award at the 2017 Cinedays Skopje Film Festival.
Presented with English subtitles.
Sunday, Nov. 25 4pm
Pernilla August, 2016 | 115mins
Based on the renowned 1912 novel of the same name, A Serious Game is an emotionally affecting period romance that deals with the popular themes of time, and clandestine love affairs. The film follows Lydia and Arvid, two youthful lovers who drastically decide to end their romance together, following a tragic incident. Ten years pass however, and Lydia and Arvid, now both married to other people, decide to rekindle the passionate romance they once had through an affair. Forced to reflect upon both their time spent together and time spent apart, Lydia and Arvid discover new things about themselves, and the nature of their relationship as a whole. With a brilliant script from popular Danish screenwriter Lone Scherfig, A Serious Game is a profoundly evocative depiction of forbidden romance, and was the recipient of two Guldbagge Awards in 2017, for Best Supporting Actor, and Best Costume Design.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Nov. 24 8:30pm
Sydney Sibilia, 2015 | 110mins
Buckle up. This is a high-stakes caper film with a stimulating blend of slick action and side-splitting dark comedy. The plot follows Pietro, an intelligent but broke molecular research assistant who is desperately looking to find a steady source of income. Upon suddenly finding himself inside of a disco filled with young people, he realizes that “smart drugs” have become popular among the youth, and recruits his friends to help him in operating a drug manufacturing lab. Problems arise, however, when Pietro begins to garner the attention of Murena, a powerful and dangerous local drug dealer. Refreshingly witty, I Can Quit was a massive success in Italy, and was the recipient of numerous international festival awards, including the Golden Puffin Award for Best Film at the Reykjavik International Film Festival.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Nov. 24 6:30pm
Pawel Pawlikowski, 2018 | 88mins
Featuring the blossoming of an impossible romance set against the backdrop of the Cold War in 1950s Poland, Cold War is a provocative examination of everyday life during this troubled historical period. The film revolves around two protagonists; Wiktor, a composer and pianist looking for young performers to perform in a propaganda musical, and Zula, a beautiful and promising teenage vocalist who auditions for said musical. Before long, the two indulge in a passionate romance, and Wiktor makes Zula a star. Crisis strikes however, when Wiktor and Zula agree to do a performance in East Berlin, giving them the perfect opportunity to defect to the West. Cold War won director Pawel Pawlikowski the Best Director Award at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, and is the Polish selection for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.
Presented with English subtitles.
SOLD OUT!
Saturday, Nov. 24 4pm
Aigars Grauba, 2018 | 114mins
Taking place in Northern Europe during the 13th Century, The Pagan King is a stimulating and awe-inspiring epic that deals with a conflict regarding the last pagan settlement near the Baltic Sea, in Semigallia, Lativa. When the elderly king Viesturs is mysteriously poisoned by an unknown assailant, he unexpectedly passes on the throne to Namejs, his young and inexperienced nephew. Tensions begin to fly however when the enigmatic Max, a warrior who wishes to end the tribes pagan beliefs through his own leadership, attempts to gain influence among the tribe’s members. If that wasn’t enough, Namejs also has to contend with Roman Catholic invaders, who wish to end his tribes existence entirely. Helmed by performances from notable actors Edvin Endre and James Bloor, The Pagan King features breathtaking scenery and exhilarating actions sequences, and was supported by the National Film Centre of Latvia.
Presented with English subtitles.
Friday, Nov. 23 8:30pm
Hana Jušić, 2016 | 105mins
With a clever screenplay full of comical and energetic dialogue, Quit Staring at My Plate is a surprisingly powerful character study exploring the nuances of freedom and femininity. Marijana, a hard-working and tenacious young woman, is suddenly thrust in to the role of matriarch for her massive family when her father has a serious stroke. Burdened with the heavy responsibility of caring for her needy family, Marijana lashes out by indulging in sexual relationships with a variety of unscrupulous men. Initially, Marijana enjoys her newly found freedom, but tensions arise when this freedom perhaps becomes too much for her to handle. Uncompromising and finely observed, Quit Staring at My Plate has won over 18 awards in numerous international film festivals.
Presented with English subtitles.
Friday, Nov. 23 6:30pm
Lisa Ohlin, 2016 | 105mins
A heartfelt tale of overcoming adversity, WALK WITH ME melds themes of romance and the aftermath of war, all the while exploring the limits of the human spirit. When a 25 year-old soldier named Thomas is seriously injured by stepping on an active land mine while deployed in Afghanistan, he returns to Denmark to undergo rehabilitation. At the hospital, he is frustrated by the prospect of learning how to live with a prosthetic leg. His attitude changes when he is introduced to Sofie, an ambitious ballerina who is visiting a sick relative. Sofie offers to help rehabilitate Thomas, through a strict and rigorous regiment of physiotherapy. Unbeknownst to them, a special bond begins to form between them that will change their lives forever.
Presented with English subtitles.
Thursday, Nov. 22 8:30pm
Peter Bebjak, 2017 | 108mins
This dark, stylish crime thriller that deals with the heavily secured outer-border of the European Union takes place in 2007, prior to Slovakia’s admittance in to the Schengen Area of the European Union. Adam, a burly and hardened criminal, acts as the head of a professional gang which smuggles illegal cigarettes into the EU. The operation is steady and profitable, but tensions escalate when Krull, a Ukrainian crime boss, desires to up the ante by smuggling stronger drugs across the border. Featuring a strong cast of characters highlighted by performances from Tomas Mastiler and Emilia Vasaryova, The Line was nominated for the Best Feature Award at the 2017 Chicago International Film Festival.
Presented with English subtitles.
Thursday, Nov. 22 6:30pm
Simon Farmakas, 2017 | 100mins
Director Simon Farmakas concocts a unique blend of screwball comedy and drama in Sunrise in Kimmeria, a film that contrasts quaint village lifestyles with conceptual science fiction. The life of Skevos, an average young citizen in the small Cypriot village of Kimmeria, is drastically turned upside-down when a UFO crash lands in to a local potato field. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, Skevos attempts to investigate the crash site, setting off a series of events involving everything from a local town election to government intelligence agencies. Despite all of these happenings however, perhaps Skevos’ most important discovery will be his own identity. Sunrise in Kimmeria is charming and cheeky.
Presented with English subtitles.
Wednesday, Nov. 21 7pm
Marta Díaz de Lope Díaz, 2018 | 90mins
Featuring an exceptionally funny premise and a unique and colourful cast of characters, Hopelessly Devout delivers an irresistible and amusing tale of female empowerment. Carmen, a pious and enterprising senior woman is shocked when she is not chosen to be the first female leader of her local religious group. To make matters worse, her rival, a prickly and arrogant man named Ignacio is elected instead. Ignacio persistently attempts to get Carmen removed from her position within the group, until an ‘unfortunate accident’ occurs, one that will force Carmen to enlist the help of all of the women around her. Hopelessly Devout is a decidedly offbeat, off-kilter comedy, and is a big hit on the film festival circuit, most recently at Miami and San Sebastian.
Presented with English subtitles.
Tuesday, Nov. 20 7pm
Christian Petzold, 2018 | 102mins
Brilliantly adapted from the popular 1942 novel by Anna Seghers, Transit is an inventive period film from acclaimed director Christian Petzold (Barbara, Phoenix). Georg is a German refugee who escapes to Marseille, a port for migrants fleeing the dangers of an unspecified war. He carries the documents of a famous writer, Weidl: a manuscript, the promise of a travel pass from the Mexican embassy, and letters from the writer's wife, Marie. Discovering that Weidl has committed suicide, Georg decides to assume the dead author's identity. He also grows hesitant about leaving the continent, and, after reading her letters, develops an obsessive desire for the mysterious Marie — herself still stranded in the city. “Transit, evoking shades of Hitchcock and Casablanca, is an unlikely, wrenching love story as much as a sly, unsettling thriller and — like much of director Christian Petzold's oeuvre — a film about ghosts, memory, and historical trauma.” -2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
Presented with English subtitles.
Monday, Nov. 19 7pm
Illia Djevelekov, 2017 | 120mins
Chillingly poetic and starkly realistic, Omnipresent is the visceral sophmore feature effort from talented Bulgarian director Illia Djevelekov. The film centres around Emil, an average family man who works as a writer and owner of an advertising agency. When Emil starts to become curious of his family, friends, and coworkers habits behind closed doors, he begins spying on them, through an intricate system of hidden spy cameras. What begins as a curiosity however slowly develops in to an obsession, and Emil begins to uncover dark secrets which should have remained hidden. Featuring unique cinematography and a breathless pace, Omnipresent is a an exhilarating and topical thriller, and was the recipient of numerous awards, including The Critics Guild Award for Best Film, and the Golden Rose Award for Best Film.
Presented with English subtitles.
Sunday, Nov. 18 6:30pm
Serge Ioan Celebidachi, 2017 | 100mins
With its intriguing narrative and extraordinary cinematography, Octav is an impressive debut feature film by Serge Ioan Celebidachi. This emotionally affecting tale focuses on an elderly man named Octav, who, upon visiting the region where he spent his childhood, encounters an apparition of his childhood friend, a young girl. With the young girl acting as his guide, Octav then takes a journey through the annals of his long personal history, uncovering more about himself and the people he loves than he ever thought possible. Lauded for its pace and storytelling, Octav is the recipient of numerous international awards, including the Best Film Award at the 2018 Prague International Film Festival, and at the 2018 Beijing Film Festival.
Presented with English subtitles.
Sunday, Nov. 18 4pm
Giedre Zickyte, 2015 | 84mins
From the mind of award winning documentation Giedre Zickyte comes Master and Tatyana, a captivating and masterfully constructed look in to the confounding life of Vitas Luckus, a legendary pioneer of conceptual photography in Soviet-Era Lithuania. Consistently at odds with the rigid societal expectations of the Soviet Union, Luckus took an uncompromising approach to his art and lifestyle, encapsulating the energetic and Dionysian qualities of everyday life. Featuring extensive and emotionally challenging interviews from a wide array of Luckus’ surviving friends and lovers, most notably his former wife; Tatyana Luckiene, Zickyte admirably attempts to piece together an illustration of the life of the complicated artist, including his tragic and eerily mysterious death. Rife with themes of time and censorship, Master and Tatyana provides a stimulating glance in to the trials of controversial artistry, and was the recipient of four Silver Crane Awards, including Best Documentary, and Best Director.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Nov. 17 8:45pm
Ondrej Hudecek, 2018 | 73mins
The Nagano Tapes features the stirring underdog story of the Czech Republic men’s ice hockey team shocking victory at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, where professional players participated in the Games for the first time. Among the many “Dream Teams”, the underdog squad from the Czech Republic led by Jaromír Jágr and Dominik Hašek stunned the world on its way to a historic gold. Their triumph in Nagano is recognised as a defining moment and a source of national pride at a time of the country’s resurgence.
Directed by the Sundance award-winning Ondřej Hudeček from the Czech Republic, The Nagano Tapes features never-before-seen IMAX footage and exclusive International Olympic Committee (IOC) archive material. Bringing the story to life are interviews with some of the world’s best ice hockey players who relive their experience in precise detail including the Czech Republic’s Dominik Hašek, JaromÍr Jágr and Petr Svoboda, Canada’s Theoren Fleury, Eric Lindros and Marc Crawford (Coach), the USA’s Brett Hull and the Russian Federation’s Alexei Yashin.
The Nagano Tapes is the first film in the Olympic Channel’s signature documentary series, Five Rings Films, produced exclusively for the global media platform by Hollywood legend Frank Marshall and Mandalay Sports Media (MSM).
Presented with English subtitles.
Courtesy of the Olympic Channel
Saturday, Nov. 17 6:30pm
Nicos Perakis, 2017 | 110mins
Talented filmmaker Nicos Perakis returns to the EUFF (his films Living Dangerously and Cool played at EUFFs 1991 and 2009, respectively) with Success Story, a quirky comedy that showcases a torrid romance set against the backdrop of a country in a state of economic crisis. The plot follows two offbeat, unforgettable characters: Panagis Pandoras, an affluent but unprincipled psychiatrist, and Tzortzina Tzelepi, a tenacious but unemployed actress. After they impetuously decide to get married following a fiery and fervent affair, Tzortzina gradually becomes dissatisfied with the staid nature of married life. Compounded by the radical shifts in the Greek economy and suicide of Panagis’ father over his debts, the relationship between Panagis and Tzortzina grows increasingly strained, venturing into darkly funny, dangerous new territory.
Presented with English subtitles.
Saturday, Nov. 17 4pm
Nuno Rocha, 2016 | 88mins
Heartfelt nostalgia and time travel collide enjoyably in Nuno Rocha’s bittersweet gem, Mother Knows Best. The film revolves around Ana Luisa, a demanding housewife who is dissatisfied with her place in the world. During her father’s 75th birthday party, her extended family all begin to reminisce about Josefa, Ana Luisa’s late mother. Through these stories, Ana Luisa begins to ponder on her own past and the repercussions of her life choices. Suddenly, a strange, wondrous, supernatural event enables certain individuals, including Ana Luisa, to have access to alternate timelines. Presented with this incredible, magical chance, Ana Luisa decides to boldly explore just what her life might have been if she had lived it differently. With its unique premise and amusing dialogue, Mother Knows Best is an entertaining ride, and it won two prizes at the Portuguese Film Academy’s 2017 Sophia Awards.
Presented with English subtitles.
Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:00pm
Barbara Albert, 2017 | 97mins
Stunningly detailed, acclaimed filmmaker Barbara Albert’s Mademoielle Paradis is an utterly gorgeous period film is set in 18th Century Vienna. The film centres on Maria Theresa “Resi” Paradis, a young and beautiful blind pianist who moves through the upper echelons of Viennese society. Despite her status and musical talents, Resi is constantly viewed with disdain by her friends and family, and is discriminated against because of her blindness. Resi’s fortunes begin to change, however, when she is introduced to Dr. Franz Mesmer, an experimental and rather dubious ‘healer’ who is tasked with restoring Resi’s sight. Loosely based on the bestseller, “Mesmerized,” by Alissa Walser, Mademoielle Paradis captured five prizes at the 2018 Austrian Film Awards.
Presented with English subtitles.