Twelfth European Film Festival in 2008 to be launched in Yemen

The 12th European Film Festival 2008 will be begin on May 17 in Aden. The festival will then continue on to Sayoun on May 24 before making its way to Sana’a on May 27, where it will conclude on June 3.

The French Embassy, on behalf of the president of the European Union and the French Cultural Center, announced the installation of the 12th European Film Festival in Yemen for 2008. This announcement was made at a press conference at the French Culture Center on Saturday. 

The festival will present eight films from eight different countries in varied subjects and will start with a Finnish film, which represents the European Commission Delegation, titled “The Mystery of the Wolf.” The film, directed by Raimo O Niemi and starring Tiia Talvisara and Janne Saksela, tells a story about a young girl who protects small wolf from hunters as she deals with the return of her long lost mother.

The festival will include films dealing with dramatic stories, such as the German film, titled “The Lives of the Others,” the a critically-acclaimed Oscar winning film for Best Foreign Language Film of 2006. It tells the a story of a pro-socialist playwright before the collapse of the Berlin Wall and his struggles with the secret police and a love affair.

The Polish film “Black Knights Cross,” also will be shown as a historical film dealing with a historic epic set in 15th century Poland during the time of the Teutonic invasion. The film follows a hero as he swears to avenge the death of his friends mothers from the hands of the invaders. 

The French will participate in the European Festival by showing the France-Arab movie called “Great Voyage.” The film follows a young Frenchman of Moroccan descent, struggling with his Muslim heritage and his French attitudes and values. His two worlds come crashing together as his father makes him go on Hajj and their relationship grows tense.

Comedies will be shown at the festival, including the Czech film called “Emptiest,” as it tells about man who collects empty bottles and returned to the supermarket after his retirement and his refusal to stay at home.

The Turkish film called “The Happiness” will also be presented along the festival activities. The film talks about Mariyam, a guilty girl, and Gamal, relative of the family who tries to help her. 

The United Kingdom will, too, participate in the festival with a film titled “The Queen,” which is about modern history surrounding the death of Princess Diana from the point of view of Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. 

All the films that will be presented during the 12th European Film Festival activities will be show with an Arabic or English translation. The festival will be launched officially in Aden at the German Culture Center from May 17 - 24. Then, it will be moved to Sayoun at the National Museum, Qasr Sayoun, from May 24 - June 1. The Festival will begin showing in Sana’a at the Yemeni Culture Center from May 27 - June 3.

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