Cine Europa to open in Cebu on Sept. 27

Cine Europa, the biggest running festival in the country, will kick off for the first time this year in Cebu City on September 27 in Circa 1900, Alliance Francaise de Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said that this new initiative came about to cater to the vibrant cultural landscape in the Visayan region.

“Cultural diplomacy is an essential aspect in nurturing the bilateral relations between the European Union and the Philippines, especially following the entry into force of the Philippines-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement this year,” Jessen said yesterday at the press launch of Cine Europa at the Cinematheque Manila.

This year’s Cine Europa film festival is organized in connection with the celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018.

Ambassador Jensen said that Cine Europa is one of the most effective means for the EU to reach out to the Filipino people. It is a unique way to showcase European cultural diversity in the Philippines.

Chairperson Liza Dino of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) affirmed that the agency is pleased to continue its long-standing collaboration with the European Union and promote film diversity.

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 will be screened this year.

Cine Europa 21 will feature for the first time the movie “The Lease,” an Italian-Filipino paranormal thriller by filmmaker Paolo Bersola that stars Ruben Maria Soriquez and Filipina actress Garie Concepcion.

The festival will start in Cebu with a reception on September 27 featuring the film “A Holy Mess” from Sweden. “A Holy Mess” asks the question how tolerant the Swedes are. It is a warm comedy about the modern Swede family and their continued struggle to “do things correctly.”

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, University of the Philippines-Visayas in Tacloban, the Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte, and the Provincial Government of Palawan and Palawan State University.

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At 24, Ritz Azul is still very much a virgin. The lead actress of “The Hopeful Romantic” says she considers virginity as sacred and it is the best gift that she can give her husband on their wedding day.

Even if she is appearing in sexy roles and wearing sexy outfits, she has kept her values intact. It is her parents who imparted that lesson to her. She belongs to a conservative family and she obeys her parents dutifully. She is conservative when it comes to matters of pre-marital sex.

Ritz said she had some difficulty playing her role as Veronica in “The Hopeful Romantic” because it is her exact opposite in real life.

“She acts like a liberated woman kasi kailangan niya. May reason siya why she is doing it,” said Ritz at the recent press conference of the film that stars her opposite Pepe Herrera of “Ang Probinsyano” fame.

“I am not as liberated as Veronica so I had to ask some my friends and did some research on how I will portray the role. But I enjoyed doing it even if had some difficulties,” the actress said.

“The Hopeful Romantic” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

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We are glad that there are new players venturing into film production like Wilbros Films, the producer of the indie film “Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka.”

Their effort to be part of the film industry is very inspiring as we are in difficult times where it is hard to tell what kind of movie will make money.

We hope that “Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka,” the first directorial job of Fifth Solomon, will make money so that Wilbros Films will be encouraged and inspired to continue their venture as producers.

We also admire the courage of Wilbros to take a chance on Alex Gonzaga as the lead actress of their maiden venture. Alex is not a major star in the league of Kathryn Bernardo or Nadine Lustre but we hope moviegoers will be kind to her and support the film that also features Vin Abrenica and Jerald Napoles.