2003 / Spain / 113 minutes
Director: David Serrano
Antonio is a cab driver and ex-convict who has developed a passion for Freudian analysis. When his sister dumps his best friend Jorge, a white-collar worker with a spastic colon, Antonio sees an opportunity to cheer him up and to get his own life back on track by reforming their childhood soccer team, “Brazil”, but their first match is a total disaster. As Antonio, Jorge and their equally miserable friends find themselves embroiled in all manner of adventures, from soccer training to pig kidnapping, they come to realize that life in their thirties is a far cry from what they had expected it to be when they had been in their twenties. More frightening still, they suspect that their forties may be even worse.....
Awards: 2004 Goya Awards, Spain (Best New Actor to Fernando Tejero)
2004 Spanish Actors Union Awards (Newcomer Award)
IN ORANJE (IN ORANGE)
2004 / Netherlands / 90 minutes
Director: Joram Lursen
11 year-old Remco is a very talented and fanatical little soccer player who dreams of being selected for the national junior soccer team. Erik, his father, is possibly even more fanatical in coaching Remco. Everything seems to be working out well until Erik dies suddenly. Remco and his mother, Sylvia, are devastated, but with the help of his friends, Winston and Anneke, Remco resumes the pursuit of his dream.
Awards: 2005 Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski, Canada (Camerio), 2005 Ispahan International Festival of Films for Children & Young Adults, Iran (Golden Butterfly), 2005 Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival, Norway (Audience Award), 2005 Young Artist Award, USA (Best International Feature Film, Best Performance to Yannick van de Velde), 2004 Euregio Filmball, Germany (Best Actor: Yannick van de Velde), 2004 Hamburg Film Festival, Germany (Children's Film Fest Audience Award, Children's Jury Special).
BEFREITE ZONE (LIBERATED ZONE)
2003 / Germany / 93 minutes
Director: Norbert Baumgarten A financially devastated East German town receives an encouraging boost when African soccer superstar “Blondie” arrives to play for their local team. Micha, the son of the soccer team’s president, jeopardizes his long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Sylvia, by sleeping with her best friend. Incensed by her boyfriend’s infidelity, Sylvia seduces Blondie on the eve of the championship game, leaving the whole town wondering just what has happened to their newfound lucky charm. Meanwhile Benny, Sylvia’s brother, cares more about Blondie than he can readily admit. Award: 2003 Studio Hamburg Newcomer Award, Germany
TROUBLE (DUPLICITY)
2005 / Belgium, France / 88 minutes
Director: Harry Cleven
Mathias is a thirty year old photographer who shares an idyllic life with his wife, Claire, and their little son, Pierre. Raised in an orphanage, and having no recollection of his early childhood, Mathias is shocked to discover that his mother has only recently died and that he has a twin brother, Thomas. As he spends time with his new-found sibling, who seems both enigmatic and threatening, Mathias becomes more and more troubled as some of his memories begin to return...
Award: 2005 Gerardmer Film Festival, France (Grand Prize, Prix 13e Rue)
CSAK SZEX ES MAS SEMMI (JUST SEX AND NOTHING ELSE)
2005 / Hungary / 97 minutes
Director: Krisztina Goda
Dora works as a playwright at a Budapest theatre. She breaks up with her fiance when she finds out that he has a wife and child. Frustrated and disillusioned, she decides to have nothing more to do with men, but yearns to have a child of her own. In pursuit of her aim, Dora turns to internet dating, sperm banks, and even picks up the handsome counter boy at the local Turkish fast food joint. Her life is made miserable by Tamas, the newest addition to the theatre group and the embodiment of everything Dora can’t stand in men: he is cocky and ruthless; a charming but insufferable womanizer.
Awards: 2006 Film Critics Awards, Hungary (Best Actress to Judith Schell)
THE GUY IN THE GRAVE NEXT DOOR
2002 / Sweden / 94 minutes
Director: Kjell Sundvall
Desiree lives alone in the city. She works as a librarian, spends time in the company of her intellectual friends and visits her senile mother. But most of the time, she is alone. She drinks her espresso in her designer home and fantasizes about finding love. Then one day, as she sits in the cemetery thinking, her eyes meet those of Benny. He manages the neighbours’ company and farm but lives alone. He drinks his instants coffee in his worn, unkempt home and fantasises about finding love. Then one day, while he his visiting his parent's grave, his eyes meet those of Desiree. A moment. A smile. And an unexpected love story is about to begin.
Awards: 2003 Guldbagge Awards, Sweden (Best Actor to Michael Nyqvist)
Several characters arrive in Warsaw on a winter’s day with the intention of changing their lives in the capital. Victoria is just passing through, but is delayed by her hope for love. Pawel, having just come of age, leaves the orphanage where he has lived and decides to find work in the city. Klara arrives with the intention of moving in with her fianc?. An apple farmer searches the city for his daughter. A war veteran loses his way in the labyrinth of city streets. They cross each others’ paths without actually meeting, until a traffic accident hastens their destiny.
Awards: 2004 Polish Film Festival (Best Supporting Actress for Dominika Ostalowska) ; 2003 Polish Film Festival (Best Director, Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Dominika Ostalowska, Golden Lion).
GOLDFISH MEMORY
2003 / Ireland / 83 minutes
Director: Elisabeth Gill
A light-hearted look at the dangers and delights of dating in contemporary Dublin. When Clara sees her boyfriend Tom kissing Isolde, it sets off a chain reaction of romances and heartbreaks; each character trying to solve the pressing question of the perfect relationship. The only thing they all agree on is that love is the one thing they can't live without. Exploring the comical nature of love; straight, gay and in-between, Goldfish Memory brings life to the saying, “what goes around, comes around”... and around... and around...
Awards: 2004 Copenhagen Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Denmark (Audience Award and Jury Price) ; 2004 Creteil International Women's Film Festival, France (Graine de Cinephage Award, Special Mention) ; 2004 Paris Lesbian Film Festival, France (Audience Award) ; 2004 Dallas Out Takes, USA (Best Actress to Flora Montgomery) ; 2004 Peniscola Comedy Film Festival, Spain (Best Director) ; 2003 Cherbourg-Octeville Festival of Irish & British Film, France (Best film) ; 2003 Los Angeles Outfest, USA (Audience Award) ; 2003 Verzaubert International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Germany (Best film)
16 year-old Enzo lives with his family in Secondigliano, a poor suburb of Naples. His father's sudden death leaves the boy with the difficult task of caring for his mother and sister and Enzo soon finds his path crossed by a series of circumstances and events that continually put his integrity to the test. However his determination and courage finally prevail and his family regains the dignity it had seemingly lost for good.
Awards: 2004 Gijon International Film Festival, Spain (Grand Prize Asturias) ; 2004 Venice Film Festival, Italy (FIPRESCI Prize, Pasinetti Award, Venice Horizons Award - Special Mention).
UNE AFFAIRE DE GOUT (A MATTER OF TASTE)
2000 / France / 90 minutes
Director: Bernard Rapp
Frederic Delamont is an industrial magnate in his fifties. A man of power, influence and strictly refined tastes, he is also lonely and phobic. Delamont befriends Nicolas Riviere, a charming young waiter, whom he offers a lucrative job as his personal food taster. But what starts as a light, albeit unusual gastronomic adventure soon reveals itself to be a much more sinister game for both men.
Awards: 2000 Cognac Festival du Film Policier, France (Unravel Award, Critics Award, Grand Prix) ; 2000 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Poland (Special Mention).
