Kolkata hosts 20th European Union Film Festival

The Delegation of the European Union and embassies of Member States in association with Cine Central are organizing the EU Film Festival from June 2 to 9.

The eight-day long festival brings together  the award winning European movies from countries like Belgium, France, Greece, Denmark, Bulgaria to name a few. Each movie delves into different genres like comedy, drama and romance.

The festival was inaugurated by Biman Banerjee, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, who said, "Cinema is not only meant for pleasure, it is meant for cultural exchange between two nations. Also I believe no other medium reflects the reality as beautifully as cinema does".

Also present at the event were Jayashree Mohta, Honorary Consul, Consulate of Belgium, Kolkata and Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen, President, Cine Central, Kolkata.

Talking about the film festival Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen said, "We believe in peace, friendship and cordial relationship, the film festival will help in that direction. The festival is conducted every year in the City of Joy to strengthen ties with the member states of the EU.

The first movie that was screened on Tuesday was Go Eddy! (Allez, Eddy!) from Belgium. It tells the story of 11-year-old Freddy who dreams of winning a race to meet his favourite cyclist.

This year the film festival started from Chennai in March and has been successfully conducted in Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

(Reporting by Soumi Paul Chowdhury)

Image: A scene from inaugural film Allez, Eddy!