EU Short Film Festival
26.04.2007
May 7 – 8
In the 1950s, countries in Europe began drawing close together in areas of common interest. The European Union which was established in 1992 grows steadily stronger, making integration very appealing. Yet this doesn’t mean that Europe has one unique culture. Nowadays, thousands of views, ideas, impressions, tastes, pictures and thoughts enrich Europeans. What are these thoughts? What are the topics and themes? What do we (not) see?
In connection with Europe Day (May 9), this assortment of short films from various member states gives an impression of today’s movie art throughout the European Union.
The festival is held at the
Goethe-Institut Washington
812 Seventh Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
The films have English subtitles and are mostly presented on DVD.
No Charge.;
RSVP to 202-289-1200 ext. 176
Monday, May 7, 6:30 pm
Austria
The Mozart Minute
2006, 30 min., Director: 28 international filmmakers
This movie is a multifaceted sampler of formal and textual views of Mozart and his influence on modern society, art and culture.
Czech Republic
The Bead (Perlicka)
2006, 15 min., Director: Marie Dvoráková
A love story which takes place in a wooden bead production facility shows Alena, who dreams of getting married. She fantasizes about a young man she sees every day through her window in the factory. She decides to ask him for a date and gets more than she dreamed of…
Finland
The Opportunist
2005, 8 min., Director: Teemu Nikki
Ten-year-old Marko is jealous of his next door neighbor, who is the same age as he. Marko's family and the neighbor boy's family go for a drive. At the gas station, Marko notices that his opportunity has come.
Germany
Dead, at the Moment (Zur Zeit verstorben)
2003, 17 min., Director: Thomas Wendrich
An old man joins his friends at the village marketplace and, to prove his sprightliness, offers to get ice cream for himself and his friends. He sets off on his last journey. Dead, at the Moment won the prize for Best German Short Film at the Berlin International Short Film festival 2004.
Hungary
Before Dawn
2005, 13 min., Director: Bálint Kenyeres
The film describes the situation of illegal immigrants in Hungary.
Italy
Ignotus
2005, 15 min., Director: Max Bartoli
In eighth century Italy, a wounded knight recalls the most important moments of his life before his enemies reach him to finish him off.
Tuesday, May 8, 6:30 pm
Lithuania
The Lithuanian Beauty (Lietuviškos grožybes)
2005, 28 min., Director: Simonas Aškelavicius
Three students want to escape to the USA – the promised land. Working towards this goal, they get involved in crime and finally find themselves in paradise…
Portugal
Tragic Story with Happy Ending (História Trágica com Final Feliz)
2005, 8 min., Director: Regina Pessoa
Some people are different. All they wish is to be like others, blending into the crowd. Some of them spend their entire lives fighting to achieve this, denying or hiding their differences. Others accept their uniquenesses and, despite them, succeed side-by-side with everyone else.
Romania
Humanitarian Aid (Ajutoare umanitare)
2003, 16 min., Director: Hanno Höfer
Three young men from Western Europe arrive in Romania with humanitarian aid. The inhabitants of a little mountain village have been waiting for them. There’s a little give and big take about the whole thing. Humanitarian Aid won the Canal+ Prize in the 2002 Clermont-Ferrand Festival.
Slovenia
(A) torsion ((A)torzija)
2002, 15 min., Director: Stefan Arsenijevic
During the three-and-a-half year siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1995, the only connection Sarajevo’s ordinary citizens had with the outside world was a secret tunnel. If this tunnel could speak, it could tell thousands of sad stories… Setting out on a European tour from the besieged Sarajevo, an amateur choir must leave town via the tunnel.
Spain
Éramos pocos
2004, 15 min., Director: Borja Cobeaga
When his wife leaves him, Joaquín turns to his son to help him get his mother-in-law to do the housework. The screenplay for Éramos pocos, written with Segio Barrejón, won the project competition at the Medina del Campo Film Festival in 2004.
Estonia
Zen through Garbage (Zen läbi prügi)
2006, 12 min., Director: Asko Kase
Zen through Garbage is a story of a young man who has fulfilled all the requirements of the modern social ideal. He has a decent job, an expensive car, a stylish home, a beautiful girlfriend and plenty of money. One day his world collapses.
 
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