In celebration of 21st year of Cine Europa, dubbed as one of the biggest international film festivals in Manila, the Cine Europa 2018 showcases the European cultural diversity alongside the celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018 round the Philippines.
“The Lease” is suspense-thriller film is directed by Paolo Bertola and stars Ruben Maria Soriquez and Garie Conception, topbilled this Cinema Europa 2018. And both Paolo and Ruben are special guests during the film reception at Film Development Council of the Philippines in Manila last November 22.
The story is about a Filipino-Italian family who lives in Venice and returns to the Philippines since Romano, an engineer husband of Clara and father of two children is assigned to take a project there. Romano, who is an expat wants to have s Santorini inspired villa to lease for their home which his wife Clara was able to find. While they were able to get their dream villa which is truly beautiful and with the amenities they wanted, their experience of strange happenings was the beginning of their family trouble. Clara wanted to go back to Italy fearing for the safety of their children. But Romano wants to investigate the frightening experiences of their family in the said villa by seeking the help of a “isperitista”.
This year’s Cine Europa Screenings 2018 was graced by EU Ambassador Franz Jessen who said that “Film is an important of the EU’s cultural diplomacy programme and plays a significant role in enhancing the bilateral relations between European Unions and the Philippines, especially following the entry into force of the Philippines-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement this year”.
Twenty-eight movies from 16 European Union Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom), as well as Norway are being screened this year.
The festival is presented by the EU Delegations to the Philippines and the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands,Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, as well as Alliance Francaise in Manila and in Cebu, the British Council of the Philippines, the Goethe Institut, Instituto de Cervantes, and the Philippine Italian Association.
Cine Europa has earned a niche among film enthusiasts in the country because of its strong collaboration with local partners including the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Arts Council of Cebu, Ayala Center in Cebu, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Corporation, the Ateneo de Naga, the Visayas State University of Baybay, Leyte, and the provincial Government of Palawan and Palawan State University.
This years’s Cine Europa film festival is organized in connection with the Celebration of European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018.
Screenings at the FDCP have started on November 20 and will take place until before being screened in Baguio on November 26 to December 2 and on Shangri-La Plaza on December 6-16, 2018.
For more details, visit www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines and Facebook Page EU Delegations of the Philippines
