EU Film Festival arrives

Europe, as a continent full of artistic passion and fairytale romances, has a voice in film that resonates to the many sounds emanating from the countries inside.

It is not hard to imagine therefore that with such diversity comes a strong public desire to learn more, which is why the third annual EU Film Festival in China is such an anticipated event.

Serge Abou, the European Union's ambassador to China, believes that while EU cinema is one of the most prosperous in the world, "it is not known enough in China".

The event will be financed by the Delegation of the European Union to China and supported by the Embassy of Belgium - current holders of the rotating EU presidency.

This year the festival has invited EU member states to showcase one successful film each, which totals 24 feature films and two shorts.

The movies cover genres from horror to comic romance, which Abou is confident will enable the Chinese public to discover the current faces of European cinema.

This year, from Nov 1 to 14, half of the feature films will be screened in high quality at the commercial cinemas of Star City Cinema and Broadway Cinemathque MOMA in Beijing. They will also be on screen in the cities of Xi'an and Chengdu.

The second set of feature films and the two shorts will be screened at the EU cultural centers and institutes in Beijing over the same period, such as the French cultural center, the Cervantes Institute and the German Embassy School.

Abou said all the films have achieved great popularity in their own countries and should faithfully represent how people live in Europe.

"Deepening relations with China is not only an important matter for businessmen and leaders, but also for people," he said. "Movies are a good way to bridge the gap between different people."

Though the intention might sound formal, the Greek Ambassador to China, Theodore Georgakelos, noted that the movies themselves are neither serious nor political.

"It was very funny. Everything was said through a music contest and there was sentimental love affair," said Georgakelos, when referring to Greek entry Charriton's Choir.

In addition to introducing Europe to Chinese people, Abou has another long-term goal.

"Every year, only 15 to 20 EU movies get the chance to be shown in Chinese cinemas," he said.

"I hope the Chinese government can import more EU movies each year."

Abou added that the success of these films in commercial cinemas might prove to cinema owners that it is profitable to showcase EU films.