Rwanda-
Taking place in Rwanda, the European Film Festival is organized as part of the the annual European Autumn of Culture, which comprises of a series of cultural events organised by the Delegation of the European Union and Embassies of EU Member States during the months of October – November.
With 15 films to be screened, from more than 15 European countries and some from Africa present stories that cut across both continents or deal with topics relevant to Europeans and Africans alike of genres such as drama, comedy, fiction and more.
Check out some of the films to be featured;
Birds are singing in Kigali
Starring featuring Rwanda’s Umuhire Eliane and Polish actresses Jowita Budnik, this award winning Rwanda-Poland co-production will screen for the very first time at the European Film Festival on 20 November 2019 at the Century Cinema Kigali (Kigali City Tower) at 19h30.
Directed by Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzysztof Krauze the film is a story of Anna Keller, a Polish ornithologist specializing in carrion birds. She is doing research in Rwanda in 1994 when genocide against the Tutsi breaks out. Anna flees with twenty-something Claudine, whose family has been murdered. The two women have more in common than it first seems, as their shared history in Rwanda is gradually revealed. They try to start a new life in Poland, but easing the pain of the past proves difficult. It is a story of loss and resilience.
Sami Blood
A Sweden-Denmark-Norway co-production that tells the story of 14 year old Elle Marja, a reindeer-breeding Sámi girl. Exposed to the racism of the 1930’s and race biology examinations at her boarding school she starts dreaming of another life. To achieve this other life she has to become someone else and break all ties with her family and culture. Sami blood will be showing at the European Film Festival 🎥🎞on Thursday 21 November at Century Cinema Kigali City Tower at 19H30.
Black Diamonds
The film uncovers the mechanisms of the lucrative international trade of hundreds of young African players with their heads full of dreams who are ready for tremendous sacrifices to become the new soccer superstar. Tricked by crooked agents who attract them with false promises of professional careers in Europe or the Middle-East, fenced in dubious -football academies- where they receive no education, these children are the victims of a genuine traffic in which they are treated like commodities. A flagrant violation of human rights inscribed in the system of globalized football. This Spanish production will screen at the European Film Festival on Friday at 17H30 at Century Cinema Kigali and on Saturday 30 November at 17H30 at Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle in Rubavu District.
Jelly Fish
Between being bullied at school, put upon by her overbearing boss at the local arcade and having to look after her younger brother, sister and manic-depressive mother, life isn’t easy for Sarah Taylor aged 15. However, when Sarah’s drama teacher channels her ferocious and volatile energies in to a stand-up comedy routine for the graduation showcase, Sarah discovers that she may have a hidden talent. As her love for comedy grows and the showcase draws nearer, the delicate balance in her life becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. Come catch JELLY FISH, a drama film from the UK at the European Film Festival on Thursday 21 November at Century Cinema at 17h30 and at the Rwanda Girl Guides Association on Saturday 23 November at 13h30.
SUPA MODO
Jo is a young girl living in a small village in Kenya. It’s her dream to become a super-heroine, but unfortunately these ambitions are hindered by her impending terminal illness. As an attempt to make her desires possible the whole village is plotting a genius plan with the goal to make her wish come true. This heart-warming drama film SUPA MODO brought to you by Goethe-Institut Kigali will screen at the European Film Festival on Saturday 23 November at Century Cinema Kigali (KCT) at 17h30 and on Sunday 1 December at Rwamagana Yego Youth Center at 15h30. Supa Modo was directed by Likarion Wainaina and produced as part of the One Fine Day Films workshop-project, which gives African filmmakers the opportunity to learn from mentors and create their stories for an international audience.
The Distant Barking of Dogs
Oleg lives in a warzone in Ukraine. While many have already left this dangerous area, Oleg remains with his grandmother, who has taken care of him since the death of his mother. They have nowhere else to go. While waiting for the war to end, Oleg enjoys hanging out with his younger cousin Yarik and the older boy Kostia.
This observational film is a Denmark-Sweden-Finland co-production and follows a year in the life of Oleg, and emphasizes the warm bond he has with his grandmother. It will screen at the European Film Festival at the Century Cinema on Saturday 23 November at 15H30 and at Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle in Rubavu district on Sunday 1 November at 19H30
Icyasha
The award winning film directed by Rwanda’s Clemantine Dusabejambo follows a twelve year old boy and football lover who tries desperately to join a neighborhood boys‘team. His effeminate character disqualifies him. He gets denigrated and bullied several times. He finds himself confronted by a world where he has to prove and claim his masculinity. It is a story that simultaneously discusses the pain and beauty of childhood. This short film will screen on Friday 22 November at 19H30 at Century Cinema.
