News Release

No. 32/03
May 5, 2003

AFI SILVER THEATRE AND CULTURAL CENTER TO HOST “THIS IS EUROPE—EAST AND WEST” MAY FILM FESTIVAL

AFI Joins European Commission To Celebrate Historic Moment in the European Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joan Kirby, AFI, 301.495.6747, jkirby@AFI.com
Sandi Auman, EU, 202-862-9541, sandi.auman@cec.eu.int

Silver Spring, Maryland, May 5, 2003—The American Film Institute (AFI) and the European Commission Delegation in Washington today announced a special AFI/EU film event—“THIS IS EUROPE—EAST AND WEST”—to be held May 10-15 at the recently-opened historic AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD.

The beginning of a new era throughout Europestarted on April 16, 2003 when the EU welcomed 10 countries from Eastern and Central Europe and the Mediterraneanto join its ranks: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

“Cultural diversity is a European asset that is illustrated by the films in this festival. We are proud to welcome our friends from 10 more European countries,” said Willy Hélin, Director of Press and Public Affairs, European Commission Delegation in Washington, DC.

To celebrate this historic occasion, and as a prelude to AFI’s annual EU FILM SHOWCASE in November, the May event will present an outstanding series of classic and contemporary films from the New Europe—East and West.

Legendary Polish director Andrzej Wajda has taped a special message for the AFI festival audience which will air before the May 11 and 12 screenings of PAN TADEUSZ. Alicja Bachleda-Curus, star of PAN TADEUSZ, has been invited to appear at the Sunday, May 11 7:30 pm screening.

Festival films include:

Czech Mock-Rockumentary, YEAR OF THE DEVIL

This zany Petr Zelenka written/directed mock-rockumentary features legendary Czech songwriter Jaromír Nohavica teamed up with obscure folk band Czechomor—with terrific concert footage of the Czech chartbusters playing themselves. Selected 2002 Best Film, Karlovy Vary Festival.

Polanski Career-Starter, KNIFE IN THE WATER

Roman Polanski’s tense, three-person 1962 Polish drama—which led to an Oscar nomination, Time cover and Polanski's international career—is a must-see for Polanski fans of all nationalities.

Belgium/Flander's new Brussels tale, GIRL

Twenty-year-old Charlotte Vanden Eynde leaves her parents, boyfriend and sleepy village for the twists and turns of modern life in Brussels. A psychological drama from first-time feature director Doroothee van den Berghe. 2002 Best Actress, Amiens; Youth Jury Award, Locarno Festivals (in Dutch).

Polish Classic, Andrzej Wajda's PAN TADEUSZ

Poet Adam Mickiewicz’s epic poem of Napoleonic Poland—directed by AndrzejWajda in a dazzling, large-scale adaptation of the Polish national classic in the original rhymed couplets. Shot in 1999—post-stroke—the film contributed to Wajda’s 2000 honorary Oscar.

Hungarian Award-Winner, Gyorgy Feher's PASSION

The brooding, hypnotic de Feher version of James M. Cain's THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE set in rural ‘30s Hungary took Best Actor, Actress, Director, Cinematographer, Foreign Critics' Prize and the Grand Prize at the 1998 Hungarian Film Week.

Portugal's Manoel de Oliveira’s UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE

This satiric, enigmatic work from 93-year-old Portuguese legend Manoel de Oliveira intersperses freewheeling philosophic speculations with operatic melodrama—forging an unforgettable presence at the 2002 Cannes and New York festivals.

Greek Debut, HARD GOODBYES: MY FATHER

A charming debut work by Penny Panayotopoulou in reminiscence of her own parents’ separation in 1969 Athens—at the time of the American moon landing. "Beautifully and subtly acted—and a lovely, humane film.”—Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian Weekly.

Tickets to the Festival will be available on line at www.AFI.com/Silver or at the AFI Silver Box Office starting at 12:15 pm on weekends; 5:45 pm< weekdays. For programming information, call 301-495-6700.

More About the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Anchored by the rehabilitation of noted architect John Eberson’s historic 1938 Silver Theatre, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a 49,000 square foot complex with three theatres—one historic, two new state-of-the-art stadium-style theatres—a café, a film-based retail outlet, office and meeting spaces and reception and exhibition areas. It is the anchor of an unprecedented public/private redevelopment effort in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.

THE AFI Silver is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, at 8633 Colesville Road (between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street). Conveniently located, the AFI Silver is two blocks from the Silver Spring Metro stop and easily accessible from the Capital Beltway (I-495), less than two miles from either the Georgia Avenue or Colesville Road exit. Phone: 301-495-6720. Web: http://AFI.com/Silver.

More About AFI

AFI is the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI trains the next generation of filmmakers, coordinates nationwide film preservation efforts and explores new technologies in moviemaking. AFI also presents the best of film through the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST); the AFI National Film Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; and the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor given for a career in film. AFI’s annual almanac for the 21st century, AFI AWARDS, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year. In addition, AFI’s 100 Years . . . 100 Movies, 100 Stars, 100 Laughs, 100 Thrills, 100 Passions and 100 Heroes & Villains (airing June 2003) have ignited extraordinary public interest in classic American movies. More information about AFI can be found by visiting its website, located at www.AFI.com.

FILM FESTIVAL BROCHURE