22/08/2002 - Europe’s directors to meet during Canadian festival to discuss the role of film at such a critical time on the international scene

Cinema in a Time of Global Unrest: Do Filmmakers Face New Agendas and Responsibilities ? is the theme of the 6th consecutive European Directors’ Panel, organised by EFP (European Film Promotion) and sponsored by the European Community’s Media Programme at the Toronto Film Festival (5-14 Sept). The European film industry’s reactions to the tragic events of 9/11 will be analysed at the debate moderated by film critic and writer, Emanuel Levy. Those taking part include Italian director Emanuele Crialese, who won Critics’ Week at Cannes with Respiro (the film will have its north-American premiere in Toronto), England’s Peter Mullan (The Magdalene Sisters), Denmark’s Susanne Bier (Open Hearts) and Norway’s Unni Strame whose Musik for bryllup og begravelser (Music for Weddings and Funerals) was selected for Venice 59.

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Europe is sending a large contingent to the 27th edition of Toronto International Film Festival with 106 films selected for the various sections. France leads the way way with 19 titles including Robert Guédiguian’s Marie Jo and her 2 Husbands, Patrice Leconte’s The Man on the Train and François Ozon’s 8 Women.
The programme also includes Stephen Daldry’s Dirty Pretty Things, Alexander Sokurov’s Russian Ark, Lukas Moodysson’s i> Lilja 4-ever and Hungarian director Kornel Mundruczko’s Pleasant Days, the winner of a Silver Leopard at Locarno, as well as the latest offerings from Pedro Almodovar, Aki Kaurismäki, Tom Tykwer and the brothers Dardenne

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