MINISTER LAUNCHES SECOND ‘NEW EUROPE FILM SEASON’ TO TACKLE KNOWLEDGE GAP ON EU EXPANSION 9 September, 2003

The second ‘New Europe Film Season’ is a rare opportunity for the public to see a programme of critically acclaimed films from future EU countries. This showcase for under represented talent aims to boost awareness of the countries involved, by celebrating their achievements in film and highlighting the rich diversity they will bring to the EU.

Denis MacShane, Minister for Europe, will launch the ‘New Europe Film Season’ on 9 September at the Foreign Office. The season will then tour City Screen’s Picturehouse cinemas in London, Edinburgh, Brighton and Liverpool during September and October.

The films include Vizontele, which drew the largest crowds ever for a feature film in Turkey, Blind Spot (Slovenia) by award winning director Hanna AW Slak which has most recently been well received at the Edinburgh Festival and Good Hands (Estonia/Latvia), described as a ‘bona fide jewel from an unexpected source’.

Tony Jones, Director of City Screen, said: “City Screen is delighted to be working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to present an exciting and varied selection of films. This season is a great opportunity to celebrate the quality and diversity of the continent’s film culture.”

Recent research shows that nearly half of the UK public cannot name a single one of the 13 countries in line to join the EU.

Denis MacShane said: Europe’s biggest ever expansion is less than a year away. This will mark the unification of Europe after decades of division. It will bring economic, social and cultural benefits to us all. Awareness of this historic event is growing, but still very low. We have a responsibility to make sure everyone in Britain is aware of our future neighbours and what difference they can make to our lives - and we to theirs.

“The New Europe Film Season will give people in cities around the UK the chance to appreciate the breadth of film-making talent across Europe. We share a long and great history with our future neighbours. They have a proud cultural heritage and have made major contributions to our own cultural development. What better way is there to celebrate the diversity and talent across Europe than through film?”