European Film Festival, open to the public.
Begining Friday, November 30th.
Celebrating Europe !
50th Anniversary of the European Union
Extension of the 3rd European Film Festival 2007 - in Lilongwe only
With the kind support of the Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy
Air-conditioned Venue: US Public Affairs Auditorium, Old Mutual Building, City Centre, Lilongwe
Tel: 01 772 222/992/414
Strictly observe age restrictions.
Programme Schedule
Friday, November 30 5:00 p.m.
Go for Zucker ! (Alles auf Zucker !)
Director: Ben Levy, Germany 2006, 90 mins.
Age restriction: 14 years +
Description
After the death of this mother, bankrupt gambler Jacky Zucker receives a visit from his
orthodox brother Samuel Zuckermann and family.During the wake, Jacky secretly takes part
in a pool championship to win the money he needs to pay off his debts. With its intentional
and charming political incorrectness and spot-on irony on this complex and sensitive matter,
it is hilariously funny and will help bring relations of Jewish/non-Jewish Germans to a more
normal, more natural level, based on more mutual understanding. But even for those not
looking so much for a movie with a message, but rather for an evening highlight of clever entertainment and big
laughter, this is an ideal choice!
Saturday, 1 December 3:00 p.m.
The Russian Dolls (Les Poupe?es Russes)
Director: Ce?dric Klapisch France 2005, 125 mins
Age restriction: 18 +
Description
Five years after their summer together in Barcelona, Xavier, William, Wendy, Martine and
Isabelle reunite. Xavier is now thirty. No longer a student, he is not yet a well-balanced,
fullfiiled adult either. His career is unsatisfying : far from being the renowned novelist he
aimed to be he must be content with little jobs such as reporter or ghost writer. His greatest
"achievement" in "literature" is his collaboration to the script of a corny TV soap ! His sentimental life is not much better,
rhythmed by one night stands and unfinished romances. It looks as if when he seduces a woman beautiful outside and
inside such as Kassia or Wendy he can't keep them. Will he ever bring his life into focus?
Saturday, 1 December 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Bean’s Holiday
Director: Steve Bendelack, United Kingdom 2007, 90 mins.
Age restriction: PG (parental guidance)
Description
The film opens with Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) driving his lime-green mini up to a church,
where a fe?te is taking place. Somewhat unexpectedly, Bean wins the first prize in a raffle:
a holiday involving a train journey to Cannes, a video camera, and €200. Following a
misunderstanding involving a taxi at the Gare du Nord railway station in Paris, Bean is
forced to make his way unorthodoxly towards the Gare de Lyon to board his next train
towards Cannes. However, a vending machine distracts him from boarding, and he misses
his train, giving him an hour to sample French seafood. At the restaurant, he finds the
oysters quite difficult to swallow, Bean pretends to eat by pouring the oysters onto his napkin and then disposing of
them into a nearby lady's handbag. When she reaches into her handbag for her phone, she finds the oysters and
screams in horror. However, at this point, Bean has left the restaurant. A surprisingly sweet comedy with inspired gags.
3
Friday, December 7 5:00 p.m.
Kebab Connection
Director: Anno Saul, Germany 2005, 96 mins.
Age restriction: 14 years+
Description
Ibo, a young German of Turkish origin, sees his future career as filmmaker jeopardized
when he gets his Hamburg girlfriend pregnant. Great use of the camera, really one of the
best German comedy movies. A movie that makes you laugh but still touches upon
serious issues. Delightful comedy, but nothing for the faint-hearted. Lighten up about
multicultural relationships, in other words, Turkish people with German people. It's a great
mix of action, romance, comedy and some more action. Kung Fu would love it.
Friday, December 7 7 p.m.
Zulu Love Letter
Director: Ramadan Suleman, South Africa 2004, 100 mins
Kindly provided by the South African High Commission
Age restriction: 14 +
Description
This South African movie takes a look at some of the nasty things that happened
during the Apartheid years. A woman has a deaf daughter that she neglected
somewhat when she was an activist during the struggle. She now wants to make up for those lost years. She is
contacted by the mother of a murdered activist to try and help recover his body for proper burial, by testifying before the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. However, the murderers don't like that idea...
Saturday, December 8 3:00 p.m.
Volver
Director: Pedro Almodo?var, Spain 2007 121 mins.
Age restriction: 14 years+
Description
'Volver' starts at a cemetery where the women are cleaning the graves on a windy day.
Young mother Raimunda (Cruz), who after attending her mother's grave, finds herself
widowed, thanks to her daughter. Her sister, Sole sees a ghost of her dead mother and their battling-with-cancer friend
Augustina is in search of her own truth about her mother. Almodovar's colourful canvas is a wonderful portrait of women
in Spain. Though it is a colourful portrait, it's dark but somewhat humorous and appealing. Almodovar tells the story in a
sensible but somewhat simpler tone. There are some shocking revelations but 'Volver' does not dwell on any one
particular incident. It's the story of the women. Penelope Cruz gives one of her finest performances. Vivacious,
Heartbreaking, Funny, Colourful & Wonderful.
4
Sunday, December 9 3:00 p.m.
FC Venus - His game. Her rules.
Director: Joona Tena Finland 2005, 90 mins.
Age restriction: 14 years+
Description
FC Venus is a romantic comedy of men and women, and the differences between the two. It is
a story of success and failure, the joy of winning and the fear of losing – and football. It sets in
contrast the last male stronghold in life, football, and women’s expectations for the future.
Women challenge their men to the a game of their life.
The guys seem to love football as much as their girlfriends and wives, which indeed makes the women angry. They
decide to beat the guys in a football match, which isn't such an easy job as the men are a team, training together. Anna,
however, has played football when a child, and her friend is "the best Finnish woman goalkeeper", the rest is straight,
honest fun.
Sunday, December 9 5:00 p.m.
Yesterday
Director: Darrell Rooth South Africa 2004
96 mins; Kindly provided by the South African High Commission
Age restriction: 14 years+
Description
Powerless to change the past . . . She lived to change the future. After falling ill,
Yesterday (Khumalo) learns that she is HIV positive. With her husband in denial and young daughter to tend to,
Yesterday's one goal is to live long enough to see her child go to school. The film portrays the HIV/Aids crises in Africa
in a way that makes it real, without political agenda or moralizing the issue. Impressing simplicity and unpredictable in
its character portrayal. Cinematographically, definitely one of the best movies ever to have come from our shores.
Brilliant acting by Khumalo.
Friday, December 14 7:00 p.m.
Ellis in Glamourland
Director: Pieter Kramer, The Netherlands 2004
90 mins.
Age restriction: 14 years+
Description
A romantic comedy about a woman who joins a class to learn the finer skills
needed to pick up rich men. Attending both parties and funerals within the
worlds of both old and new money, Ellis hatches a plot to find Mr. Right...