The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) brings films from across the European Union to Toronto from November 15-30, 2014. The festival, which takes place at the Royal Cinema, is a collaboration between the various European Union consulates in Toronto and the biggest European film festival in the city. This year’s festival features several films from over two dozen countries across Europe. Many of the films being screened are making their Canadian premiere after winning awards across Europe. And the best part is: admission to all films is free.
**OPENING NIGHT**
ITALY – FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS, Directed by Ferzan Ozpetek *Canadian Premiere*
Elena and Antonio are overwhelmed by a mutual attraction, despite their incompatibility and other issues; Antonio is engaged to Elena’s best friend Silvia, and Elena is engaged to Giorgio. Fabio, Elena’s other best friend, hates Antonio because he is openly homophobic. This attraction, first only physical then later emotional, creates turbulence in not only Elena and Antonio’s lives, but everyone else’s as well.
Screens Saturday November 15 – 9:00 pm – Special VIP + Reception event
Screens Sunday November 30 – 3:00 pm – regular, free screening
LITHUANIA – HOW TO STEAL A WIFE, Directed by Donatas Ulvydas *Canadian Premiere*
An upbeat holiday comedy with characters trying to figure out if love is really stronger than money. Can you imagine what would happen if we locked a woman in a small apartment with her husband and her ex? And what if the latter was also accused of stealing and hiding an insane amount of money? Is the “first cut” really the deepest, especially when it involves amounts numbering in millions?
Screens Monday November 17 – 8:30 pm
IRELAND – BALLYMUN LULLABY, Directed by Frank Berry
This documentary follows Ron Cooney, a dynamic and funny man who’s been helping his community through music for 15 years. His music challenges the negative views that are held in the area-views that have the potential to hold his students back. Ron and his composer work with students to produce a collection of music that gives voice to their story. Ballymun Lullaby is a story that needs to be heard.
Screens Wednesday November 19 – 6:00 pm
CZECH REPUBLIC – CLOWNWISE, Directed by Viktor Taus *Toronto Premiere*
Oskar, Max and Viktor, were once a superstar clown trio. After thirty years of suffering on and off the stage as solo performers, they decide to risk everything to find out whether there really isn’t one more show left in them. They re-stage the famous clownery that launched the group’s career while also facing the hardest challenge yet: clowning their way out.
Screens Monday November 24 – 8:30 pm
HUNGARY – THE AMBASSADOR TO BERN, Directed by Attila Szász *Toronto Premiere*
August 16, 1958: two Hungarian immigrants break into the Hungarian embassy in Bern and take the ambassador hostage. As the Swiss police surrounds the building and a group of Hungarian immigrants shows up on the street to demonstrate, a tense, twist-filled hostage drama plays out behind the closed doors of the embassy. Based on a true story about the aftermath of the 1956 Hungarian revolution.
Screens Tuesday November 25 – 8:30 pm
SLOVAKIA – THE CANDIDATE, Directed by Jonás Karásek *North American Premiere*
Based on the novel by Maroš Hečko and Michal Havran. The Candidate is a witty political farce, indirectly depicting not only political but also wider malignancies of a post-communist society instantly transformed into money-ruled, rightist one. “You are not the one, who chooses the head of the country!”
Screens Wednesday November 26 – 6:00 pm
FRANCE – ONE OF A KIND, Directed by François Dupeyron *Toronto Premiere*
Frédi is an ordinary man, except for his miraculous power to heal people by his touch-a power he has always rejected. The news of his gift gets out, bringing crowds to his home. Despite his ability, Frédi cannot heal his own anxiety, epilepsy, nightmares or self-doubts. After meeting Nina, an alcoholic suffering from depression, Frédi’s convinced that helping her might may clear enough space in his heart to love again.
Screens Thursday November 27 – 8:30 pm
**CLOSING NIGHT**
GREECE – A PLACE CALLED HOME, Directed by Maria Douza *Toronto Premiere*
Eleni has been estranged from her father, Kyriakos, for many years. Kyriakos has never forgiven her for leaving home. When Eleni’s husband is posted to China indefinitely, she decides to visit Greece and make peace. When she reaches home, nothing is as she expects it to be. A woman from Serbia is living with Kyriakos, looking after him and his estate. It seems Kyriakos has been keeping a few secrets of his own.
Screens Saturday November 29 – 6:00 pm
I can’t believe admission to all screenings is free!! Is the popcorn free, too? hehe. The Royal Cinema is a great venue.
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