This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Europe in focus at film festival
09/10/2003
The New Europe Film Festival inEdinburghwill help showcase the cultural traditions of future EU countries.
Culture Minister Frank McAveety said that the festival provided the chance to appreciate the value that European enlargement can bring.
He said:
"Initiatives such as this Film Season will help raise awareness inScotlandof future EU countries ofCentral Europe. It will help highlight the major contribution that those Accession states can make to Scottish culture.
"The ten countries who will join next year will transformEuropeas we know it, and showcasing some of their strong and vibrant cultural traditions here inScotlandis an important tool in the development and progression of the European Union.
"The New Europe Film Season is a wonderful opportunity for a Scottish audience to see critically acclaimed films from countries acrossCentral Europe.
"The showcase not only highlights the rich vein of film-making talent emanating from the ten future partner countries, it also brings into sharp focus the issue of EU enlargement.
"The European Union is undergoing a major transformation next year and by appreciating the major contributions that those countries make to Scottish culture - whether through film, football or finance - will help break down stereotypes and reinforce peace and security acrossEurope."
The New Europe Film Season was launched on September 9 by Czech model and actress Eva Herzigova and theUKMinister for Europe Denis MacShane, followed by aLondonscreening of the films. The national tour of the Season will visit:
Brighton: October 5 -15 at the Duke ofYork's Picturehouse
Edinburgh: October 14 - November 4 at The Cameo
Liverpool: October 19 - 27 at Picturehouse at FACT
The New Europe Film Season has been programmed by City Screen, in conjunction with the respective country representatives inBritain, to celebrate European diversity. The line-up of films touringEdinburghis: Antichrist (Poland), Brats (CzechRepublic), Good Hands (Latvia/Estonia), Inferno (Poland), Occident(Romania). The films in the season include Occident (Romania), "a low-key cross between Run Lola Run and Magnolia" winner of the New Director's Award at Leeds International Film Festival", and Good Hands (Estonia/Latvia), described as a 'bona fide jewel from an unexpected source' by the Berlin Film Festival.
The 10 countries joining the EU next year are:Cyprus,CzechRepublic,Estonia,Hungary,Latvia,Lithuania,Malta,Poland,Slovakia, andSlovenia. In addition,Bulgaria,RomaniaandTurkeyare candidates for EU membership.