Dear Friends, I have pleasure in welcoming you to the first ever European Union Film Festival in Iraq which is kindly hosted by the British Embassy Baghdad. The Festival constitutes a joint cultural project between the Delegation of the European Union, the Embassies of the Member States of the European Union, Iraqi cultural authorities, and civil society. The aim of the Festival is to showcase European cultural diversity and present the richness and versatility of the film industries of the European Union. The common theme of the films which will be screened is dialogue and reconciliation, a topic which bears such an importance in Iraq today. Wishing you a pleasant time discovering European cinema.

Ambassador Jana Hybášková Head of Delegation of the European Union to Iraq

Your Excellencies, Sisters and Brothers, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank the EU Mission for this extraordinary and wonderful initiative. The celebration of the 1st European Film Festival in Iraq, especially at this time, represents an important support for all Iraqis. European Film Art is a human and creative look and European cinema is a major tributary to the taste of those who are interested in cinema in Iraq. We hope that this initiative will herald the start of European cinema's return to Iraq to be an additional field for support to the Iraqi people, as the EU and its individual Member States have done in other vital areas in our country since the fall of Saddam's regime in 2003. I wish you all success in this important cultural event, promoting diversity, ability of coexistence and tolerance.

Minister of Culture of Iraq Feryad Rawunduzi

Thursday 07 May 2015

10:00h IRAQ/NETHERLANDS, 2010 Title: Ibn Babil (Son of Babylon) Film director: Mohamed Al Daradji Synopsis: Northern Iraq, 2003, two weeks after the fall of Saddam. Ahmed, a 12 year-old boy begrudgingly follows in the shadow of his grandmother. On hearing news, that prisoners of war have been found alive in the South, she is determined to discover the fate of her son, Ahmed's father who disappeared after the 1991 Gulf War. Winner of the Amnesty Film Award and Peace Prize at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival and of numerous other awards at prestigious Festivals. (100min).

12:30h POLAND, 2014 Title: Ida (Ida) Film director: Pawel Pawlikowski Synopsis: A sombre black and white film set in sixties' Poland. Anna is asked by the prioress of the orphanage convent where she is about to take her vows as a novice nun, to visit her unknown aunt Wanda in Lodz before she takes them. Raised in a Catholic convent, she was abandoned as a baby. Wanda is a former State Prosecutor and Communist party member, jaded and alcoholic. Wada wants Anna/Ida to know her own ethnic identity. (80min).

15:00h ITALY, 1942 - cartoon Title: La Rosa di Bagdad (The rose of Baghdad) Film director: Anton Gino Domeneghini Synopsis: Once upon a time, Baghdad was ruled by a great and kind Caliph, Oman III. He lived with his niece Princess Zeila. The Caliphate was threatened by a tyrant, Sheikh Jafar and his fellow Burk. The Sheikh aimed at marrying Zeila against her will and take over the city. The cartoon was awarded the First Prize at the 1949 International Film Festival of Venice. (73min).

Saturday 09 May 2015

10:00h CYPRUS, 2011 Title: To nisi pou mirazomaste/Bir Adayi Payslamak (The island we share) Documentary Film director: Danae Stylianou Synopsis: Three Greek Cypriots and three Turkish Cypriots, who have never met each other before, stay in the same house for five days, travelling along the north and south part of the UN-controlled buffer zone which separates their homeland in two parts further to the Turkish invasion of 1974. They discuss different versions of history, share experiences and together think of the future. (100min)

15:00h BELGIUM, 2011 Title: Le gamin au vélo (The kid with the bike) Film director: Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne Synopsis: Growing up is painful. 11 year-old Cyril lives in a youth centre and cannot accept that his father has seemingly abandoned him. A chance encounter with a hairdresser named Samantha leads the latter all but adopting Cyril. This is not an easy transition for Cyril who yearns for his father or any other figure. The film won the Grand Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in France. (87min)

12:30h AUSTRIA, 2005

Title: Die fremde (When we leave) Film director: Feodora Schenk Synopsis: A German-born woman flees from her oppressive marriage in Turkey, taking her son with her. She hopes to find a better life with her family in Berlin, but her unexpected arrival created intense conflicts. Her family is trapped into their conventions. They are torn between her love for her and the traditional values of their community. A breath-taking drama. (125 min)

Sunday 10 May 2015

10:00h FRANCE, 2010 Title: La Princesse de Montpensier (The Princess of Montpensier) Film director: Bertrand Tavernier Synopsis: In 16th century France, a savage religious war is ripping the country apart. Carnage, corruption and mayhem stalk the land, taking lives and shaping history. Amidst the tragedy, loss and power struggles of war, a young aristocratic heiress by the name of Marie De Mézières has been forced into an arranged marriage to the Prince of Montpensier. Between duty and passion can Marie fight her fate to reclaim her destiny? (140 min)

13:00h SPAIN, 2011 Title: Arrugas (Wrinkles) Film director: Ignacio Ferreras Synopsis: Based on a graphic novel by Paco Roca, this animation film is a moving tale of friendship, dealing with one of the most important issues for us all: ageing. The story revolves around Emilio, a retired Bank manager, who is now a resident of an elderly care home. He is greeted by his roommate, nice and friendly Miguel, a bit of a trickster who seems to know everything about the home. (89 min)

15:00h GERMANY, and GOETHE INSTITUTE, 2005 Title: Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (Sophie Scholl –The last days) Film director: Marc Rothemund Synopsis: Munich, early 1943. A group of students are working for the resistance movement “The White Rose”, fighting against war, preparing anti-Nazi leaflets. Hans and Sophie are caught and brought at the Gestapo headquarters, for interrogation. Sophie defies Mohr and the Nazi system, refusing to betray her comrades and remaining true to her ideals up to extreme consequences. (116 min)

15:00h UNITED KINGDOM, 2013 Title: Selfish giant Film director: Clio Barnard Synopsis: 13 year old Arbor and his best friend Swifty are part of society's outcasts, excluded from the social dynamic of both their school and theirs neighbourhood. Forced into searching for and selling scrap metal to feed their families, the boys come across fellow misfit Kitten, a local scrap dealer and yard owner. A British realist drama with a heart and soul. (91 min)

12:30h SWEDEN, 2012 Title: TPB AFK (The pirate bay away from keyboard) Documentary Film director: Simon Klose Synopsis: This is the story of 3 men who founded one of the biggest websites in the world, and their life away from the keyboard. Beautifully filmed, and provocative, TPB AFK is one of the best documentaries of 2012. It might not be the most entertaining or informative, but in the world of the XXIst century, it is perhaps the most relevant, the most likely to touch our own lives. (82 min)

Monday 11 May

10:00h HUNGARY, 2008 Title: Kalandorok (The adventurers) Film director: Bela Paczolay Synopsis: This is the first feature film by a Hungarian director who had previously worked in television and advertising. The film follows three generations of men during a road trip across Transylvania. The characters include a trumpet player who is about to be financially ruined by his fourth divorce; his father, who wants to come and live with him in Budapest to escape from his wife; and his son, who is having difficulty shaking off a gambling addiction. (108 min)

Tuesday 12 May 2015

10:00h GREECE, 2011 Title: o Annivas pro ton pylon (Hannibal before the Gates) Film director: Elisabeth Chronopoulou Synopsis: This is the story of 20 year old Hara, who begins from the fringe of society and tries to change her fate by insisting on her right to live her dream. She grows up around horses. In filing her claim to become a show jumping champion, she won't hesitate in using all means. Screened at the 35th Cairo International Film Festival, December 2012. (100 min)

12:30h ROMANIA, 2010 Title: Morgen (Morning) Film director: Marian Crisan Synopsis: Nelu works as a security guard in a local supermarket in the Romanian town of Salonta. One morning, while fishing, Nelu meets a Turkish man trying to escape capture by border guards. Nelu takes the stranger, desperate for help, to his farmhouse. The Turkish man keeps insisting Nelu take all his money and help him reach Germany. The movie has received numerous awards at Film Festivals in 2011. (100 min)

15:00h NETHERLANDS/IRAQ, 2013 Title: Taht remal Babyl (In the sands of Babylon) Film director: Mohamed al Daradji Synopsis: 1991 Gulf War: Ibrahim, an Iraqi soldier, has escaped from Kuwait as the Iraqi Army retreats. Facing the perilous journey home, he must cross the southern desert; a chaotic no-man's land between Saddam's regime and American cross-fire. A powerful tale that echo's the current violence, suffering and genocide of the Iraqi people at the hands of ISIS. Won Best Arab Feature Film, Abu Dhabi Film Festival, 2014. (92min)

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