EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL 2004

This is the European Film Festival’s 13th annual appearance, and there’s no film freak here who isn’t glad of it. Only one problem bothers us: between the 1st and 13th of June, when are we going to find time to do any work? But let’s worry about that when the time comes.

The really big one, coming with lots of prizes and commendations, is The Best of Youth from Italy - all 6hrs. 23 mins. of it. Also tipped is It’s a Jungle Out There from Germany. Of special interest this time are the newcomers to the Union and the Festival, Poland, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary and Slovakia. Just what are they going to show us?

You’ll have noted we’re moved from the previous venue, Sipsong Huaykaeow, to Major Cineplex, and the price has made a bit of an upward swoop too: B.70 per seat. Still not bad, when you consider that’s below normal prices at Major Cineplex.

Anyway, thanks to the EU and the local personnel organising the Festival. Long may it continue, we say, in all the appropriate languages.

THE 13th EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL
PROGRAMME CHIANG MAI:
1 - 13 June 2004

	Date Time Titles Country Length Tue 1st 19.30 There and Back Poland 1hr.42 Wed 2nd 19.00 Mona’s World Denmark 1hr.25 21.00 The Jungle Portugal 2hrs. Thu 3rd 19.00 Pauline and Paulette Belgium 1hr.18 21.00 Forget America Germany 1hr.30 Fri 4th 19.00 Portugal 1hr.47 21.00 Bright Young Things England 1hr.40 Sat 5th 17.00 Hold-Up Austria 1hr.25 19.00 Twin Sisters Netherlands 2hrs.15 Sun 6th 17.00 Upswing Finland 1hr.38 19.00 Class Trip France 1hr.36 Mon 7th 19.00 The Third Eye Belgium 1hr.27 21.00 Dutch Light Netherlands 1hr.34 Tue 8th 19.00 Autumn Spring Czech Republic 1hr.38 21.00 It’s a Jungle Out There Germany 1hr.29 Wed 9th 19.00 Sweet Dreams Greece 1hr.33 21.00 Read My Lips France 1hr.55 Thu 10th 19.00 Police Woman Portugal 1hr.25 21.00 Stracciatella Hungary 1hr.40 Fri 11th 19.00 The Best of Youth Italy 6hrs.23 Sat 12th 17.00 Minoes Netherlands 1hr.32 19.00 Gossip Sweden 2hrs.14 Sun 13rd 17.00 Thomas the Falconer Slovakia 1hr.36 19.00 There and Back Poland 1hr.42 21.00 Police Woman Portugal 1hr.25

EU Film Synopsis

AUA

The real film freak can get him/herself to AUA on Rajdamnern Road, just up from Pratu Thapae. There, in Chiang Mai’s coolest, most convenient little English-language library, you can take your pick of close to 200 of the choicest videos going. You want Five Easy Pieces, Trainspotting, Leaving Las Vegas, Das Boot, Apocalypse Now, La Haine, Mon Oncle, Men in Black, The Third Man, Taxi Driver, Wild Strawberries, Cyrano de Bergerac, Blade Runner, The Simpsons, The Bicycle Thieves, etc. etc. etc? You do? Well, they got it. And for a smallish charge you can either take it home or see it on the premises. And now - DVDs too!

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE CHIANG MAI
June 2004 film programme

Tuesday, June 1 - Friday, June 4
AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS (1987)

In January 1944, in a Catholic elementary school near Fontainebleau, Julien Quentin sees a new pupil arrive in his class, Jean Bonnet, who is in many ways different from the others. His curiosity is aroused and, as he gradually learns who Jean Bonnet is and the tragedy that threatens him, a deep friendship forms between the two boys…

Tuesday, June 8 - Friday, June 11

Jerome 35 years old, is on holiday in Talloires, near Annency. He meets Aurora, a Rumanian novelist,  whom he came to know about six years ago. During her holidays she rents a room in a villa near the lake. She invites Jerome to come to her villa and introduces him to the owner and to her daughter Laura who is 16 years old.

Jerome is going to get married in one month’s time. Laura not knowing it, tries to seduce him and by curiosity, he enters into an affair…

Tuesday, June 15 - Friday, June 18
LE DERNIER METRO (1980)

Lucas, a German-Jewish refugee, wants people to believe he went into exile leaving the management of the famous “Theatre de Montmartre” to his wife, Marion. Actually, he is hiding in the basement. Daxiat, a theatre critic and a pro-Nazi journalist, suspects something…

Tuesday, June 22 - Friday, June 25
ADORABLE MENTEUSE (1961)

Marina Vlady plays the role of an 18 year old chatter-box who can’t help telling a lie every 5 minutes. When she falls in love with an older man, she vows to reform and speak only the truth. But her reputation precedes her…

Tuesday, June 29 - Friday, July 2
SANS FAMILLE (1957)

Remy, a stolen child, is taken in by Vitalis, an animal leader. At the death of Vitalis, he leaves for England…