The 11th European Film Festival in South Africa, running from October 10 to 20, has announced an impressive lineup of 14 films, including two Oscar nominees. Under the theme “Complicated Freedoms,” these award-winning films explore a diverse range of topics. Screenings will take place in Johannesburg at Ster Kinekor, The Zone in Rosebank, and in Cape Town at The Labia. Eleven of the films will also be available for free online streaming throughout South Africa.
Opening Night
The festival kicks off with Matteo Garrone’s Oscar-nominated Italian film, IO CAPITANO. This powerful tale follows two Senegalese teenagers on their perilous journey across Africa in search of a better life in Europe. IO CAPITANO is a poignant exploration of migration, inequality, racism, and hope.
Other Notable Films
BAAN (Portugal): A captivating coming-of-age story about self-discovery and belonging.
BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD BLACKBERRY (Switzerland): A thought-provoking film about ageism, sexual awakening, and self-empowerment.
CITIZEN SAINT (Georgia): A satirical black and white film about a mining town and the arrival of a mysterious stranger.
DYING (Germany): A comedic exploration of family dynamics and dysfunction.
GREY BEES (Ukraine): A poignant tale of human connection amidst conflict.
KNEECAP (UK): A riotous hip-hop biopic about a Belfast trio fighting for their native language.
LOVE ACCORDING TO DALVA (Belgium): A sensitive portrayal of childhood sexual abuse and recovery.
SWEET DREAMS (Netherlands): A satirical tale of colonialism and its consequences.
THE OTHER WAY AROUND (Spain): A witty comedy drama about a couple’s breakup.
THE PEASANTS (Poland): A beautifully animated story of a woman’s yearning for independence in 19th-century Poland.
THE QUIET GIRL (Ireland): An Oscar-nominated film about a young girl’s transformative summer experience.
THE TASTE OF THINGS (France): A touching love story set in 19th-century France.
UNRULY (Denmark): A powerful film about young women battling patriarchy in a 1930s women’s institution.
This year’s festival offers a diverse and thought-provoking selection of films that explore the complexities of freedom and human experience.