“Talking About the Weather" and "Saint Omer" were chosen to kick off this festival. Could you share what inspired you to select these for opening?

The 28th edition of the European Union Film Festival spotlights the best in European Cinema and offers an immersive experience with a focus on celebrating women's stories told by women filmmakers. These films bring forth issues that are often ignored in mainstream cinema. The festival celebrates the extraordinary contribution of women in cinema and honours their storytelling prowess, which has given a new layer to the stories that are being told. The two critically acclaimed award-winning films helmed by female filmmakers open our festival this year: the German film “Talking About the Weather” by Annika Pinske. And the Grand Prix-winning French movie “Saint Omer” by renowned director Alice Diop Both of these films talk about contemporary issues and offer an authentic portrayal of modern women as they navigate the challenges of modern-day society, such as social exclusion, power dynamics, and isolation.

“Talking About the Weather,'' which premiered at the Berlinale Panorama section, and ''Saint Omer,'' which received the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, deal with an unpredictable journey undertaken by strong female protagonists, unveiling the complex relation between individual responsibility and society’s influence on what we choose to do with our lives.

These films are perfect to kickstart the festival, as they set the right context for our festival with an incredible line-up of films.

Regarding the Festival's Theme The EUFF 2023 is dedicated to celebrating women in cinema. What significance does this thematic focus hold for the film industry and its audience? The theme for EUFF 2023 is ‘Women in Cinema’. The festival celebrates the work of dynamic, unconventional, and independent women directors who have shaped the landscape of European Cinema. Through a carefully curated list of cinematic gems across 25 languages, the festival aims to introduce audiences to diverse genres, ranging from dramas, poignant documentaries, light-hearted comedies, and thought-provoking narratives by incredibly talented female filmmakers from European cinema. At the European Union, our aim is to honour the immense contribution of these outstanding women in shaping world cinema. Alice Diop, Justine Triet, Carla Simon, and Maren Ade are among the celebrated directors whose work will be featured at the 28th edition of the European Union Film Festival.

As the Italian director Alice Rorchwacher recently said in an interview, the ability to weave and to hold many threads together that are present in women's DNA throughout the 2000 years of patriarchy is a gift that we must ''sing'' (celebrate) and tell.

Women are able to create connections, reverse points of view, change the traditional narrative, and challenge stereotypes. Cinema is going through tectonic changes around the world, and now is the time to seize the opportunity to bring forth stories that are new and offer new perspectives. Women filmmakers in European cinema are making films that have gone on to create an impact on audiences across the world. For instance, in Italy, immensely talented actress and director Paola Cortellesi has taken the box office by storm with a story of personal and collective awareness of one's own rights as human beings, women, and citizens. Her success has shown that women aren’t simply surviving but thriving in the world of cinema. Film Selection and Representation The festival features a diverse lineup of movies spanning multiple genres and languages. How did the selection process prioritize both the celebration of women filmmakers and the diversity of storytelling? The line-up was very thoughtfully curated after months of deeply assessing the vision and artistic brilliance of the various films and filmmakers. The ones we finally chose reflected personal stories with the potential to entertain as well as convey a larger universal message. It was also important to strike the right balance between fiction and non-fiction. As boundaries between feature films and documentaries are getting blurred along with the increasingly frequent creative reuse of visual materials found in footage, new avenues and dimensions emerge, taking the cinematic experience to the next level. Our core thought behind the curation was to present an eclectic mix of cinema that entertains, provides a new perspective, and opens discussions. Challenges and Triumphs For both directors and the festival organizers, what were the challenges and triumphs in curating and presenting a festival that honors the storytelling prowess of women directors from the European film industry? We speak from our point of view as curators. The main goal is to share the vision of those filmmakers who dare to explore the untold stories of our societies. These stories, which are often overlooked, have the potential to change our society.

Impact and Cultural Exchange Ambassador H.E. Hervé Delphin mentioned the festival as a 'Window to Europe through the lens of Cinema.' How do you perceive the impact of such cultural exchanges through films on global audiences, especially in terms of fostering understanding and dialogue? Cinema is one of the most powerful, direct, and democratic tools to share awareness, foster understanding, and raise dialogue. Films are seeds of reflection and elaboration, expressing the multi-sensorial possibility of transcending borders and exploring an alternate reality without physical travel.

Stories, when told with conviction and honesty, serve as the most powerful tool to reignite imagination and build an emotional connection, irrespective of borders. These are human stories that instantly connect while offering a glimpse into the subtle complexities woven into the various traditions, customs, and values representing different world communities. These films aspire to take audiences on a journey together as they traverse the mysteries that bind our lives. The scenery changes, but the basis of human emotions and instincts stays intact, instantly building a connection as well as seeding the curiosity to know more about the culture, the traditions, and even the unusual landscape of the foreign land portrayed. Cinema brings people together and creates a community experience that's hard to replicate.

Audience Engagement and Takeaways How do you anticipate the Indian audience to engage with these diverse narratives and what key takeaways do you hope they'll have after experiencing these films We are all stories. Our individual stories, riddled with aspirations and challenges, are what define us and give us an identity. We are not looking to be preachy, but in fact, we simply encourage the audiences to reflect and ponder the different perspectives and views portrayed through cinema. Films are not a tool to teach but, in fact, a medium to encourage thinking that eventually has the power to bring about change.

We hope these films will provide our audiences with new ideas and help them be more empathetic to the world at large. This is reflected in Mira Fornay's film SHE-HERO, as little Romy navigates the forest in search of her beloved budgie while meeting, listening, and connecting with people she meets along her journey. This simple yet poignant tale reminds us that the true beauty and meaning of life lie in sharing it with others. We are connected as a big family, and the planet serves as a common home. There is unity even in our diversity, and the purpose of life really is to experience this diversity and enable it to empower our collective thinking to work towards making the world a better, fairer, and cleaner abode for all.

(Disclaimer: The above content is a press release and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).