New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) The 21st European Union Film Festival which began on Friday, commenced with the screening of actor Gerard Butler's English film "Coriolanus" here.
To commemorate 400 years since the death of poet and playwright William Shakespeare, the European Union and European embassies in partnership with local organisations, kickstarted the festival with the Ralph Fiennes directorial based on his play by the same name.
Inaugurated by EU Ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski at the British Council here, the festival which will screen 24 films from 24 European countries in 11 Indian cities - Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Jodhpur.
"Our objective is to have as many viewers as possible. In addition to the 11 cities where the films will be screened, the ministry of information and broadcasting will be screened at other venues in the capital. After viewing European movies, Indian audience will know Europe bit better and they will understand Europe more, which will be very much in favour of our future cooperation and mutual understanding," Kozlowski told IANS.
"We have brought in newer films this time. This is an unusual opportunity to watch movies from 24 countries. Some European countries are coming up with beautiful movies which are not very known outside," he added.
The festival features award winning European films from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Britain.
This year, the festival will screen movies from varied genres ranging from comedy of the absurd to gripping drama, unexpected romance and heart-stopping action.
"We have increased number of movies, their quality. The movies need to have some recognition and we have tried to find movies which will appeal to the youth. There is a lot of response in India from them," said EU Delegation to India's deputy head Cesare Onestini.
The film festival will be held across five venues in the national capital -- The British Council, the Slovak embassy, Instituto Cervantes, India Habitat Centre and India International Centre.
Some of the highlights from the festival include the stories of a ten-year-old abandoned boy 'Jack' who picks up his six-year-old brother and finds his way to life on his own and an out-of-work illusionist who has a life-changing experience when he meets a young woman in Scotland.
