Editor

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement is sponsoring the “Western Balkan Film Days” from 21 to 23 April 2008 at Flagey (Brussels). The first-ever Western Balkan Film Days to take place in Brussels will showcase eight recently released films directed by renowned filmmakers from Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The Western Balkan Film Days will highlight some of the best contemporary films from the Balkan region today. The selection includes: Armin (by Ognjen Svilicic, Croatia, 2007), Huddersfield (by Ivan Zivkovic, Serbia, 2007), Shadows (by Milcho Manchevski, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 2007), Father and Godfather (by Dhimiter Anagnosti, Albania, 2006), Grbavica – The land of my dreams (by Jasmila Zbanic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2006; winner of the "Golden Bear" award in Berlin and "Best Actress" award in Brussels), Midwinter Night’s Dream (by Goran Paskaljevic, Serbia, 2004), All for free (by Antonio Nuic, Croatia, 2006) and Slogans (by Gjergj Xhuvani, Albania, 2001).

Armin will be the opening film of the Western Balkan Film Days. After the screening, the audience will have the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in the film with the filmmaker, Ognjen Svilicic. Armin is a funny and warm as well as a sorrowful story about a father accompanying his son from their hometown in Bosnia to a movie audition in Zagreb.

“I am honoured to present “ARMIN” to the Belgian audience. I think that the Western Balkan Film Days are a great opportunity for filmmakers from South-East Europe to show their work to a broader public and to contribute to the exchange of cultural values and national treasures”, says Ognjen Svilicic.

All of the selected films have been screened at international film festivals such as the prominent "International Berlin Film Festival", "International Thessaloniki Film Festival" and "International Sofia Film Festival". The filmmakers have earned international recognition and won numerous awards. All of the films have received outstanding critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.

This new generation of South-East European filmmakers chose diverse approaches in describing their views on the social, political and cultural developments in the region. Sarcasm and humour combined with pessimism and optimism describe the multidimensionality and variety of Western Balkan cinema. The remarkable emotional bond between mother and daughter featured in Grbavica recounts a human story, soft and bitter, full of emotion and hope. The thriller Shadows spins a surreal tale of a man who tries to create a dialogue with death. Midwinter Night’s Dream rounds out this impressive array, featuring a poignant storyline evolving from the absence of communication in our modern times.

“The Film Days showcase the region’s rich cinematic tradition and allow the viewers to see the Western Balkan countries in a different light and to rethink some of the well-entrenched clichés.”, says Gisela Gauggel-Robinson, Head Communication in the Commission's DG Enlargement.

All films will be screened in the original language with English, French or Dutch subtitles. The festival is open to the public.

General admission tickets cost 5 € and reduced tickets cost 3 €.

Location : Flagey - www.flagey.be