EUROPEAN FILM PROMOTION (EFP) is hosting PICTURE EUROPE! The Best of European Cinema, a journey through the multifaceted filmic landscapes of Europe, following the motto “Let’s see what’s happening at the neighbours!” It is the second time EFP is organizing this European event in cooperation with its member organisations, the selected cinemas and with financial support from the EU MEDIA Programme. The Film event PICTURE EUROPE! will visit Munich from 21st to 27th February. As in the previous year, Volkswagen is the main sponsor of the event.

For the opening film in Munich, the organizers succeeded in winning over A SECRET, starring Ludivine Sagnier (LA FILLE COUPÉE EN DEUX, SWIMMING POOL), Cécile de France (QUAND J’ÉTAIS CHANTEUR) and Patrick Bruel (L’IVRESSE DU POUVOIR). In France, director Claude Miller (GARDE À VUE, MORTELLE RANDONÉE) landed a surprise box office hit with A SECRET. He will be on location in Munich to present his film in person.

The films confirmed so far include four contributions that have been entered for the Oscar® race by their respective home countries:

Bulgarian director Ilian Simeonov (RAGE) created a compelling metaphor for the Balkan War with his film WARDEN OF THE DEAD, starring Samuel Fintzi (FAMILY RULES) – a much celebrated stage actor in Germany.

The most successful Slovenian film in 2007, SHORT CIRCUITS by Janez Lapajne (RUSTLING LANDSCAPES), stars Tjaša Železnik (LJUBLJANA), demonstrating her multifaceted skills as an actress.

Denmark is contributing THE ART OF CRYING, which has been awarded 16 national and international prizes. Peter Schønau Fog’s debut feature film is more than a nightmarish social study; it is something of a miracle, clothing weighty Bergmanesque topics in a temerarious tragicomedy.

Greek Oscar® submission EDUART by director Angeliki Antoniou (NIGHTS, GAMBLED AWAY) contains images of wild, painful beauty and a clear commitment against intolerance and racism. It stars the German actor André Hennicke (ANTIBODIES/ANTIMATTER, DOWNFALL).

From February to April 2008, PICTURE EUROPE! sees EFP bringing the current national audience successes of neighbouring countries onto the screen in Munich, Copenhagen and Madrid. EFP celebrates the opening of PICTURE EUROPE! in all three cities with stars from the local film scene as well as with international guests.

Munich: 21. - 27.02.2008 at GLORIA FILMPALAST
Copenhagen: 12. - 18.03.2008 at Grand Teatret
Madrid: 11. - 17.04.2008 at Cinemas Princesa

Every country has its own stars and its own blockbusters, seldom venturing beyond their respective national borders. With its Picture Europe! programme, EFP reaches a broad audience, showing them just how complex, thrilling, moving and entertaining individual stories from all over the continent are. On location, the films are presented personally by their directors or stars. The programme for PICTURE EUROPE! has been compiled from the vast plenitude of European films that were successes in their lands of origin and that bear the potential to also enthuse audiences in neighbouring countries.

The complete programme as well as photographic material is available at www.picture-europe.eu by end of January.