10th European Film Festival

For the tenth consecutive year, the European Film Festival will take place in Aden from 22/11/2006 to 01/12/2006, following on from Sanaa. Next, it will be held in Taiz.

Yesterday, the opening film was Der Untergang (The Downfall) from Germany. I think many people have heard about this film and the controversy surrounding it, which continues to this day.

It is a film that gives us a human insight into the last days of Hitler's life, with full reservations about what humanity means, and shows him as we have never seen him before, with all his failures and severity.

Overall, it's a good film and worth spending 2.5 hours watching it. It's still good, both in terms of its idea and the film itself, with all the details that make you laugh for a second and then make you think, 'Why did I laugh?'

It is a very good movie in many ways.

Here is the schedule for the films to be shown in Aden:

22/11 Germany – Der Untergang (The Downfall), 149 minutes, produced 2005

23/11 Czech Republic – Samotáři (Loners), 104 minutes, produced 2003

24/11 France – Etre et Avoir (To Be and To Have), 97 minutes, produced 2003

25/11 Italy – Il Postino – The Postman, 108 minutes, produced 1994

26/11 Netherlands – Shouf Shouf Habibi , 89 minutes, produced 2004

27/11 Poland – Vabnik , 108 minutes, produced 1981

28/11 Spain – Mar adentro (The Sea Inside), 125 minutes, produced 2004

29/11 Turkey – Uzak (Distant), 110 minutes, produced 2002

30/11 UK –  The Constant Gardener, 129 minutes, produced 2005

1/12 Belgium – Hop , 104 m, P: 2003

In addition, there is an exhibition called 'A Century of European Cinema'. It will be on display throughout the festival in the foyers of venues in Sana'a, Aden and Taiz. Each participant presents the main epochs, films, directors or actors of their national cinema from the last century.

Cinematography itself is around 100 years old and has always been a good reflection of society. All the films are being shown at the German Consulate in Khor Maksar, Aden. All films start at 20:00 and admission is free.

The festival aims to provide an insight into the world of cinema as an art form that effortlessly transcends cultures, as it directly touches our senses and moods. Pictures and music translate easily and, together with the many languages you will hear, prove the richness of European diversity.

Ultimately, I think this is a valuable opportunity for us to experience a different side of cinema, given that Hollywood films dominate here. Now, we can explore European cinema, which is deeply rooted and exudes a refined sense of taste.

Festivals like this are good because they make cultures get to know each other, help us to understand each other better and prove that what Hitler said was wrong. Life is richest with our differences, and life is for everyone, with all their differences. It's about giving and taking, and sharing. Not for the stronger, as Hitler said. And hope always comes from tragedy.