06-03-2014

Febiofest expands into new venues

By

    PRAGUE: The 21st edition of the city's biggest film gala, Febiofest, running 20-28 March in the Cinestar Andel multiplex, has announced its program, encompassing 141 films from 60 countries. In addition to the usual screenings, art complex MeetFactory will be hosting a film by French animator and director Sylvain Chomet, who will introduce The Illusionist (2010) 26 March.

    The New Europe section features the best of fresh work from around the continent, including buzz-worthy Romanian spy romance film Roxanne by Valentin Hotea and Poland's Life Feels Good, a true-life story of overcoming odds by Maciej Pieprzyca
    World Panorama, meanwhile, features some films in 3D and will screen the latest work of past Kristian award winner Roman Polanski, Venus in Fur (2013). Jude Law will also introduce himself as the safecracker in Dom Hemingway (2013). The 3D spectacles Bull Running in Pamplona (2013), Stalingrad (2013) and genre-shifting film Gold (2013) by Germany's Thomas Arslan, are also slated.

    Febiofest will also introduce the most acclaimed Polish film of the year, Ida by Pawel Pawlikowski (a guest of the 2012 festival). Alain Guiraudie has stirred the festival scene with Stranger by the Lake, which is included in the program as well, and Febiofest also returns to the films of Denis Villeneuve from Canada, who made the captivating Enemy with Jake Gyllenhaal.

    The event, targeted at audiences seeking out international indie fare, is running 18 thematic film sections and some 436 screenings are set for Prague with more to follow in smaller cities through 15 April. Tickets go on sale at noon 12 March.

    New Europe program:
    2 Autumns, 3 Winters
    France
    Directed by Sebastien Betbeder

    Heroin
    Netherlands
    Directed by René Houwen

    Home
    Sweden, Iceland
    Directed by Maxmilian Hult

    I am Yours
    Norway
    Directed by Iram Haq

    Life Feels Good
    Poland
    Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca
    Produced by Tramway

    Princess of Egypt
    Finland
    Directed by Jan Forsström

    Puppy Love
    Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France
    Directed by Delphine Lehericey

    Rock the Casbah
    Israel, France
    Directed by Yariv Horowitz

    Roxanne
    Romania, Hungary
    Directed by Valentin Hotea
    Produced by Hi Film Productions, co-produced with Cor Leonis and Abis Studio

    The Machine
    UK
    Directed by Caradog W. James

    Wolf Children
    Lithuania, Germany
    Directed by Rick Ostermann

    Zoran, My Nephew the Idiot
    Italy
    Directed by Matteo Oleotto