Editor

• View
• Edit

Carice van Houten, the acclaimed Dutch film star who is currently starring opposite Tom Cruise in the hit movie "Valkyrie" and who electrified audiences as the German Jewish resistance fighter Rachel Stein in the 2007 film "Black Book," will be the special guest at the Third Annual "Romance in a Can" Film Festival, presented by Eurocinema February 6 through February 15 at indoor and outdoor venues throughout the greater Miami area.


Twenty-one independent first-run foreign feature films, starring such international stars as Ms. Van Houten, as well as Juliette Binoche, Julie Delpy, Giancarlo Giannini, Derek Jacobi, Tovah Feldshuh, and Irène Jacob, and representing 15 countries, will make their premieres on U.S. soil during the 10-day event, the only festival of romantic films in the U.S.

The program will also include a tribute to the legendary Polish director, writer, and actor Krzysztof Kieslowski, and a short film competition for film students from Europe and local Miami high schools. The program opens at the tropical Art Deco Raleigh Hotel in Miami and closes at the legendary Barnacle's State Park in Coconut Grove.

RIAC – established by Red Chemistry Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the work of independent European filmmakers – pairs screenings of feature-length European films making their domestic debuts and the short film competition with an array of special events, while raising funds for youth arts programs. The award-winning short film will be purchased by Eurocinema for airing on its TV channel. Eurocinema is the first and only TV channel dedicated solely to presenting foreign films to U.S. and North American audiences.

Ms. van Houten will participate in three programs during the film festival: A red carpet event honoring Dutch cinema and showcasing the U.S. premiere of "Love is All," in which she stars, on Friday, Feb. 13; a special Valentine's Day event on Saturday, Deb. 14; and the closing night festivities on Sunday, Feb. 15.

In addition to "Love is All," other films making their U.S. premieres include "Forever" (from Italy) with Mr. Giannini; "Bye Bye Blackbird" (from Luxembourg) with Mr. Jacobi; "Love Life" (from Germany and Israel) with Ms. Feldshuh; and "Blue," "White," and "Red" (from Poland), each directed by Mr. Kieslowski and starring, respectively, Ms. Binoche, Ms. Delpy, and Ms. Jacob. Other countries being represented at the festival are France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Russia, Estonia, and Finland.

"We are honored the Carice van Houten will be our special guest this year," said Isabelle Landman, executive director of Red Chemistry. "She has already captivated audiences in her native country with her magnificent and award-winning work on both the small and big screens. Now, with "Valkyrie" and "Black Book," as well as high-profile roles in such upcoming Hollywood pictures as "Body of Lies," "Repossession Mambo," and "Vivaldi," her allure and beauty is electrifying American audiences. Indeed, she is classy, romantic, and glamorous – just like the films we will be showing throughout Romance in a Can. And preserving romance during Valentine's week, far away from the war and violence, is the mission of this festival."

"We are so pleased to offer this Valentine's Day present for lovers of European cinema throughout South Florida and across the country," said Sebastien Perioche, founder and CEO of Eurocinema. "Not only will this festival be home to great award-winning European films making their domestic debuts, but it will also be a fun and exciting atmosphere and a place where people want to be…like the 'Art Basel' of the film festival world."

For more information, contact Bruce Bobbins, Gary Baronofsky, or Susan Graziano at Dan Klores Communications, 212-685-4300, or visit www.eurocinema.com or www.romanceinacan.com