Cinematic union

Promoted and developed in association with embassies and cultural institutes from current and future members of the European Union, the Days of European Film festival kicks off in Prague April 15-22 before traveling to Brno, Plzeň and five other cities throughout the Czech Republic. According to program director Zdeněk Blaha, the schedule was compiled with an eye toward featuring at least one award-winning or otherwise laudable film from each participating country (there are 28 in all) that Czech audiences might otherwise miss.

Highlights from this year's festival include Eye Above Prague, the hotly anticipated documentary about late controversial Czech architect Jan Kaplický's attempt to build a new National Library in Prague (showing in Czech with English subtitles at Světozor, April 16 at 6:30, and Lucerna, April 21 at 11 a.m.). There will also be personal appearances by German actors Anna Bederke and Dorka Gryllus (both of whom appear in the film Soul Kitchen, which opens the festival), and 12 films submitted to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2009 Academy Awards.

The following selections were either filmed in English or feature English subtitles:  

December Heat-Estonia, 2008. Asko Kase, director. Sergo Vares, Liisi Koikson, Mait Malmsten, Tonu Kark and Tambet Tuisk star. Inspired by the story of the attempted communist coup in Tallinn Dec. 1, 1924, this film features a pair of newlyweds whose plans to emigrate are interrupted by the necessity of doing their part to save their nation. Světozor, April 18 at 5

Freedom Is Within Us, Popiełuszko-Poland, 2009. Adam Woronowicz, Zbigniew Zamachowski, Joanna Szczepkowska, Marta Lipińska and Antoni Królikowski star. Jerzy Popiełuszko, a Roman Catholic priest, was an influential figure in the struggle against communism. In this film based on true events, Popiełuszko's life is examined from early childhood to his assassination by members of the internal intelligence agency. Lucerna, April 20 at 11 a.m. and April 21 at 8:45

Chameleon-Hungary, 2008. Krisztina Goda, director. Ervin Nagy, Gabriella Hámori, Zsolt Trill, János Kulka, Sándor Csányi and Zsolt László star. A shameless conman who seduces lonely women and robs them of their savings has his life thrown into upheaval when he meets his match in the guise of a wealthy ballerina. Lucerna, April 17 at 7 and April 19 at 5

Kill Daddy Good Night-Austria/France/Germany, 2008. Michael Glawogger, director. Helmut Köpping, Ulrich Tukur, Sabine Timoteo, Christian Tramitz and Itzhak Finzi star. Computer game designer Ratz (Köpping), who loathes his father, kills him over and over again in a virtual world of his own invention. A process of self-discovery is set in motion when an ex-girlfriend tempts him to New York and exposes him to new people and places. Lucerna, April 16 at 8:45

This Is England-UK, 2006. Shane Meadows, director. Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim and Vicky McClure star. The story of a young man's transformation from a shaggy-haired loner in northern England in the early '80s to a ferocious skinhead in way too deep. Lucerna, April 15 at 17; Světozor, April 17 at 7

The Candidate-Denmark, 2008. Kasper Barfoed, director. Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Ulf Pilgaard, Tuva Novotny, Laura Christensen and Kim Bodnia star. A seemingly innocuous defense attorney has his life turned upside down when he becomes the object of a blackmail scam. Lucerna, April 15 at 5

For a complete list of all English-language accessible films in this year's program, see pages B16-17.

James Walling can be reached at
jwalling@praguepost.com