It’s been almost two years since Australians were able to travel to Europe, and for those not rushing to book flights now that borders are finally re-opening, a new film festival could be just the ticket.
Europa! Europa will present a spectacular selection of European cinema to audiences in Melbourne and Sydney from February 4 – 27, 2022.
For the first time, the world’s best new European films will come to cinemas across Australia for three weeks of inspiring and entertaining Australian premiere screenings, live music and special events.
Europa! Europa will reveal their inaugural program with a screening of Dutch auteur Paul Verhoeven’s erotically charged thriller Benedetta on January 16 in Melbourne at Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick and the film’s Sydney Premiere at Ritz Cinema, Randwick. In a cheeky nod to the film’s themes, tickets to Benedetta include holy water and wafer on arrival.
Verhoeven’s Benedetta is loosely based on the 1986 non-fiction book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown. It stars Virginie Efira as Benedetta Carlini, a novice nun in the 17th century who joins an Italian convent and has a lesbian love affair with another nun.
The film premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival in competition for the Palme d’Or.
“From the countries who have defined arthouse and world cinema, to regions where the film industry is still small and emerging, European cinema is so incredibly rich and diverse. Europa! Europa will present a selection of dynamic films that represent the entire continent in all its complexity and wonder to Australian audiences,” said Europa! Europa’s Artistic Director, Thomas Caldwell.
The full programme for this exciting new film festival is still to be revealed, so watch this space for further announcements.
Tickets for the launch are on sale now at the festival’s official website and range in price from $24-$28.
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