Best of EU films @ NFAI

July 14, 2016

“In the age of YouTube and torrents, I’m glad to see such a great response to watch these films,” stated Prakash Magdum, Director of the National Film Archives of India (NFAI), at the opening of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) on Wednesday (July 13). This festival has come to Pune after two years and celebrates 21 years of the EUFF in India by showcasing 23 films from various nations that are a part of the European Union.

“We have the Pune International Film Festival but it’s a great opportunity to watch and relish all of these European films here. This place has a magical energy and I’m sure that everyone will feel the vibrations while watching the films,” said notable Marathi film director Umesh Kulkarni who was present at the opening and is also an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

The festival – which will be on till July 23 – is organised along with Alliance Franꞔaise de Pune, British Council and the Max Mueller Bhavan. “I’m especially happy to see that European Union films and other international films are so well-received and appreciated by the Indian public and particularly in Pune. During the festival, we have several Francophone films and I am very glad that the animated film, ‘The Illusionist’, a children’s film that won several accolades internationally, will also be shown. These films showcase the diversity and creativity of European cinema,” said Anne-Marie Thuillier, Director of Alliance Franꞔaise de Pune,

The inaugural film screened was ‘Jack’ from Germany. It revolves around a 10-year-old boy named Jack who has learnt to take responsibility from a young age and towards the end, he appears to be the most mature character in the film.

Other films to be screened are based on perennial and riveting themes like redemption of love, resilience of youth and many more life changing experiences. The festival will go on till July 24 and films will be screened across the NFAI and the British Council.

It was also announced that the next package of films to be screened will come from the prestigious film school in France, La Femis. “These films are made by the students of La Femis which is the French counterpart of the FTII. La Femis is completing 30 years and we are very excited to bring the films here. I’m sure it will be loved by the student community,” said Magdum.

EUFF Schedule: July 14-23, 2016