On the occasion of Europe Week at the European Square, organized by the European Commission’s Representative Office in Croatia, was for the first time turned into an open-air cinema.
More than 500 visitors to Europe Day were premiered by short films of renowned European directors recorded for the European Commission #EUandME campaign, and among the five selected Croatian director Dalibor Matanić with the Debut film. The viewers also enjoyed the free screening of the latest hit movie Nevija Marasović Comic Sans, which also included main actor Janko Popović Volarić. In the music part of the program, the audience was entertained by Damir Kedzo and Zsa Zsa.
By short film projection, the European Commission has launched a new campaign called #EUandME, targeted at young people from 17 to 35 years. The goal of the campaign for the next 18 months in all EU member states is to inform young people about the many opportunities that the EU offers them and the rights they enjoy as its citizens and to familiarize them with the ways in which the EU can help them to achieve their interests and ambitions. Croatia is the first of the countries of the selected directors where these films are screened at major public events, followed by projections in other European metropolises – Warsaw, Berlin, Nauplios, Helsinki, Dublin, Brussels, Madrid and Rome.
The #EUandME publicity campaign was presented by Head of the European Commission Representative in Croatia, Branko Baričević, highlighting: “Through five short films of renowned European directors who have spoken beautiful, warm and stimulating stories, we want our youngsters to recall the many benefits of life in the European Union. Opportunities like studying abroad, starting work with EU funds, or engaging in the fight against climate change are just some of the areas where young people can realize their potential and at the same time contribute to the European Union, a community based on solidarity and tolerance. ”
In the talk about the campaign and filming Branko Baričević joined Dalibor Matanić, who was honored to be selected for one of the top five directors included in the campaign. His Debut film is an emotional story of a young Croatian farmer who wants to be a football star and at the same time experiences internal conflicts related to his sexual orientation. He rejoiced to invite me to join the campaign together with other esteemed colleagues, and especially that it was a good opportunity to look at the notion of the European view from the corners of our regions. For my film, I have chosen the theme of law because I think it is extremely important to build a tolerant society and talk more about the importance of respecting the freedoms and rights of every individual. I would like this film to inspire the acceptance of diversity that makes us unique and a richer community. I think everyone should have the freedom to live as he wants and be what he is, if it does not endanger the rights and freedoms of others. As citizens of the EU, our rights are guaranteed and no one can withhold us, “said Croatian director Dalibor Matanić.
Along with Matanić, the screenings were premiered and the other four directors. The lone Polish director Tomas Konecko deals with the rights we make in buying on the internet as consumers of the EU; German director Matthias Hoene in his film Life in the hostel handles the topic of mobility; Party Animal’s Greek director Yorgos Zoisa is an inspirational story of how to connect hobbies and career; while Finnish director Zaida Bergroth in the Oon film deals with the theme of sustainability, that is, the EU’s environmental policy.
A special surprise for the gathering was the projection of a new hit by Comic Sans directed by Nevija Marasović, funded by the European Union program. On this and on all other projections, the audience was thrilled with the film, and the screening of the film was followed by Janko Popović Volarić, who excellently embodied the character of a successful graphic designer who struggling with comic and dramatic situations with failures in love and family relationships.
Along with the film, the people enjoyed the excellent music program of Damir Kedz and Zse Zse, and the radio of Enter Zagreb, while at the same time measuring the skills in table football, shared awards, popcorn and refreshments.
After being honored, during the #EUandME campaign, which runs through the end of 2019, filmmakers will be given the opportunity to showcase their skills in the young director’s competition. Participants in the competition will have to say through one of the five themes of the campaign that the EU will contribute to the better lives of young people, and the contest winners will be given the opportunity to film a film under the watchful eye of well-known and award-winning European directors. Keep track of us so you can get all the information in time.
All films, as well as campaign information and opportunities offered to EU citizens, can be found at the central information center https://europa.eu/euandme/en/.
Photo: Goran Stanzl/PIXSELL
