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The annual event was also introduced
first by the Goethe Institut. This year the French Consulate
came forward to head up the fest and many proud sponsors,
including Dale and Lessmann, a German Canadian Law firm. At the
he time of the opening party in the Polish Hall on Beverly,
opposite the now defunct Austrian Club, we met up with members
of the German Consulate and Goethe Institut that were there to
represent their countries entries to the film fest. Echo
Germanica had seen prior to the public showings Robert
Thalheim’s "And along came Tourists", a modern day Auschwitz
story that throws light on how the people in Germany and of that
region cope with the
 historical facts. It shows how industries
cope and use the past as a means to look good and make money off
the past, like donate a monument, but it also shows how the
people that actually were there when it all happened live in
quite a different reality, one that is not shared by most. Young
people find it either oppressive to be around and want to get
away from the constant sad re minders, or, as in the case of the
young German who does his civil service there and discovers a
part of his country’s history that had been well hidden from
him, it actually caused great compassion for the old man that
repairs the many suitcases of the dead because he promised them
to take care of their belongings, and
 these suitcases are all
that is left.
The other much talked about film was "A woman in Berlin". This
film with Nina Hoss in the title role had made headlines in
Germany and there was an aura of disbelieve when the diary first
appeared in Germany. It is high time that those stories are told
too,
 especially when they are based on actual occurrences. When
the film comes to local theatres I hope many are going to see
it. It evokes a sense of authenticity with its fine screenplay.
It is a true and compelling story of survival.
This year’s EU! Film Festival was another resounding success for
all participants and we are looking forward to next year. SFR.
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