A variety of subjects in focus

Film-lovers were in for a treat at the first day of the 19th ‘European Union Film Festival’ which began recently. The screening, held in collaboration with the Bangalore International Centre (BIC) and Suchitra Film Society, was held at the BIC. Over four days, four international films are being screened.

On the first day of the screening, German film Der ganz große Traum/‘Lessons of a Dream’ was played. Directed by Sebastian Grobler, the 113-minute-long film was based on a set of real events and told the story of young teacher Konrad Koch, who starts working in a preppy school in Braunschweig in 1874.

He teaches English but the subject doesn’t interest his pupils at first. Therefore, Koch employs unusual methods to gain their attention for all things British — he introduces them to football, which is a craze in England but unknown in Germany.

His new approach works with the youngsters but causes dismay among his conservative colleagues and the elitist parents. They try to get rid off the unorthodox educator buthave underestimated the commitment of the schoolboys.

Speaking about the choice of films, PR Dasgupta, director of BIC, said, “We are organising the festival as part of the cultural activities that we hold. Although many of the audience members are retired or not working, we are expecting the working crowd to enter later in the evening. However, we had to screen the films on weekdays because of budget constraints.”

Pointing out that they have chosen new wave films, Dasgupta added, “Since we are holding this in collaboration with the Suchitra Film Society, the same films are being screened there over four days. However, we are not screening the same films on the same day.” The other films that were screened included ‘On the Sly’, a Belgian film directed by Olivier Ringer; ‘Hope is a Strange Place’, a Portuguese film directed by Joaquim Leitão and ‘Blind Spot’, a film from Luxembourg directed by Christophe Wagner.

“I enjoy watching films and this one sounded interesting. Although this is the first time I’m coming here for a film screening, I’m a regular at the Alliance Francaise,” said Prem, a freelance software engineer who attended the screening.

Nikhita, another member of the audience who had come along with a friend, said, “It’s good to see what film-makers from other countries have to offer. I will be coming back for the other screenings as well.”

The screenings will be held at the BIC until March 21.