Days of European film

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DEAR FESTIVAL AUDIENCE,

I am glad that there is a festival focused exclusively on European fims in our country, and moreover a festival with a sixteen-year-long tradition. Its long existence has proved that even among American blockbusters European films have found their audience. Their commercial potential may be weaker, but they abound in other stronger qualities. The Days of European Film festival is seeking out these films and offers its spectators a chance to see not only current works from countries whose cinematography is famous here, but also from those European countries whose films are not as well known among regular Czech cinema-goers as yet. It deserves our thanks for that reason. This is also why the Ministry of Culture has this year included the Days of European Film festival in the official listing of cultural events accompanying the Czech presidency of the European Union. I wish you many interesting experiences with European films.

VÁCLAV JEHLIČKA
Minister of Culture

DEAR FRIENDS,

Films occupy a special place in people‘s hearts, because they tell a story and are capable of arousing strong emotions, experienced almost as authentically as if the events were genuine. Thanks to these special qualities, together with their unquestioned artistic and cultural values, films are an ideal medium for getting to knowing oneself and others better and for initiating dialogue. Mutual understanding of ways of life, getting to know other cultures, and the ability to become involved in sharing cultural diversity, form one of the unquestioned priorities of the European Union. Festivals like this one represent an excellent opportunity for an exchange of opinions and for initiating genuine intercultural dialogue.The programme of the festival is in itself proof of the viability of European cinema today, which is attracting more and more Europeans and gaining ever greater respect throughout the world. The European Commission is glad to be able to support this festival. I wish its organisers every success and I wish the spectators some exceptional experiences of cultural exchange.

JÁN FIGEĽ
Member of the European Commission responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth

DEAR FILM LOVERS,

European film is today somewhat in the position of “Cinderella”. In spite of its indisputable and excellent quality it is, very undeservedly, in the shadow of American cinematography. Yet it abounds in qualities that are very close to us, Europeans – it shows ordinary life and people, it is intimate, has strong ideas, and it deals with problems and issues that burden not only Europe, but the whole world. European cinematography off ers not just a simple possibility to “kill time”, but a genuine aesthetic and cultural experience. Despite this, films from the old continent are given only minimal opportunity to attract a broader audience. That is why I am pleased that Prague can at least partially right that wrong and provide the needed space for such a splendid film event as the Days of European Film festival, which has for a number of years now been offering really the best that has been created in our continent.

The Days of European Film festival turns 16 this year. This is a remarkable age given the conditions of such a project and the competition. It is great to see that there are still so many people who are interested in genuine quality, who do not feel content with just a superficial experience, but who want inspiration and ideas for contemplation and discussion. And it is also great to know there is a festival that is able to satisfy exactly those needs both in the selection of films and in terms of debates with their authors.

I wish the organisers of the Days of European Film only one thing – may their work continue to enjoy the same audience interest and excellent quality as it has up to now. And I wish for us, the audience, unique film experiences.

MUDR. PAVEL BÉM
Mayor of the Capital City of Prague

DEAR MOVIE FANS,

Before you immerse yourself into captivating stories on the silver screen, I should like to say hello to you on behalf of the city of Brno.

You may know that the idea of showing the best of the European cinema to Czech audiences was born in the heads of several EU diplomats a full 16 years ago. Who anticipated then what a sought-after movie feast would this initiative of a few fans eventually become. Nowadays, the Days of European Film have a firm place on the Brno‘s event calendar. It is an established brand that found many supporters in our open city.

Together with you, I look forward to be caught by the unique atmosphere of the movies by the best European directors. This year‘s 16th edition will be – I dare say – even more exceptional and symbolic. In fact, the Czech Republic is fulfilling one of its most important tasks in the recent years – Presidency of the Council of the European Union. And in such a context, more poignant than ever before appears the issue of where and how Europe sticks together and where, on the other hand, it is divided.

ROMAN ONDERKA
Mayor, City of Brno

DEAR FILM LOVERS,

after a year you have the opportunity to see European film production of high quality again. It is presented to you for the 16th time by the Days of European Film festival. The previous 15 editions of the festival demonstrated that such happenings are attractive to the film audience. I am happy that part of the main programme will take place in Olomouc. Aft er Prague and Brno, Olomouc is thus the third city in which this review of exclusively European films takes place.

I highly value the eff orts of the organizers from the Olomouc civil organizaion Pastiche filmz to bring to the audience latest, pure European, film art in the metropolis of Haná, which is not only the administrative centre of the Olomluc region, but without question its cultural center too. I am very happy that the Days of European Film festival “made itself at home” in Olomouc and managed to put the finishing touches to cultural offer in this region.

I wish the festival a lot of satisfied audience.

MARTIN NOVOTNÝ
Mayor of the city of Olomouc