European film festival comes to Durban
For the first time in many years, eight of the 12 movies will screen in Durban at its newest movie venue, the New Noise Courtyard.
The 13th European Film Festival South Africa is set to bring a lineup of award-winning European films to local audiences from September 17 to 27. This year, the festival features 12 films, including works from Oscar-winning directors Pawel Pawlikowski and Paolo Sorrentino, as well as social realist legends the Dardenne Brothers and BAFTA-winning debutant Akinola Davies Jr. The festival will showcase performances from top European talent, such as Mads Mikkelsen, Javier Bardem, Sandra Hüller, and Carice van Houten, alongside emerging actors rising to the challenge of emotionally demanding roles.
For the first time in years, eight of the 12 movies will screen in Durban at the New Noise Courtyard, located in the old Point police station. The venue boasts a maximum capacity of 40 people per screening, so early booking is encouraged. The festival opens with The Last Viking, starring Denmark's biggest star Mads Mikkelsen, who leads the cast in this Danish comedy-drama about family, mental health, secrets, and friendship.
Among the highlights, My Father's Shadow marks the debut of British-Nigerian director Akinola Davies Jr., whose film explores themes of grief, family, and the past. Germany's Fatherland, directed by Oscar-winning Pawel Pawlikowski, offers a poignant portrait of Thomas Mann's journey grappling with grief and the horrors of the past during the Cold War. The film stars Sandra Hüller, who was Oscar-nominated for her role in Anatomy of a Fall.
Young Mothers, a powerful film by the Dardenne Brothers, portrays the struggles of young mothers abandoned by their families and society. Paolo Sorrentino reunites with collaborator Toni Servillo in La Grazia, a drama exploring fathers, daughters, love, duty, and the eternal question of ownership. Colours of Time, directed by Cédric Klapisch, offers a touching exploration of family, art, and history.
Porcelain War, a documentary directed by Brendan Bellomo, tells the story of artists in Ukraine facing the brutal consequences of war. Javier Bardem delivers a brooding performance as Spanish film director Esteban Martínez in The Beloved, while Carice van Houten stars in A Family, telling a powerful story of divorce in modern Europe.
Agnieszka Holland's Franz offers a biopic about the enigmatic literary genius Franz Kafka, while Ireland's Christy debuts Brendan Canty's tender direction and Danny Power's impressive lead performance. The festival also pays tribute to former festival co-director Peter Rorvik, who passed away.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
