Copyright pakobserver
The 4th edition of the European Film Festival (EUFF) 2025 opened here on Friday at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) with screening of the Czech documentary ‘Behind the Curtain of High Mountains’ and 2023 Hungarian movie ‘Without Air.’ The event drew quite a large crowd mostly the young movie enthusiasts and families that were in search of quality time at the weekend. EU Deputy Chief of Mission Philipp Oliver Gross welcomed the audience and expressed his pleasure that the EUFF was back in town entertaining the public with some top European movies, classics, documentaries, etc. Ambassador of Czech Republic Ladislav Steinhübel and the Hungarian envoy Zoltan Varga were there, excited to see the Pakistani audience’s response to their respective countries’ cinematic stuff. The feedback was indeed quite positive and the audience gave a standing ovation to both the movies. Behind the Curtain of High Mountains is 2025 documentary about Czech mountaineer Dina Sterbova, chronicling her historic climb of the 8,000-meter Tibetan peak Cho Oyu and her subsequent humanitarian work in Pakistan. The documentary showed how Dina worked hard along with her team of volunteers for better health, clean drinking water, education and infrastructure facilities in Baltistan’s remote village in the remote village of Arando. According to Sana, a university student who had come along with her friends she was deeply impressed to see her (Dina’s) journey from mountaineering achievements to helping people in remote villages, including co-founding a hospital in the Baltistan region. ‘Without Air,’ a 2023 Hungarian drama film was also appreciated, particularly by a large number of youths as many of them identified themselves with the protagonist, Ana Bauch. Ana Bauch is a well-liked high school literature teacher in a small town in Hungary. She uses creative teaching methods. As optional homework for a lesson on the poet Arthur Rimbaud, she recommends her students watch the 1995 film Total Eclipse, which depicts Rimbaud’s homosexual relationship with fellow poet Paul Verlaine. The idea however doesn’t go well with a conservative father when he discovers his son watching the film and files a complaint with the school, accusing Ana of promoting “immoral” and “homosexual propaganda”. Thus begins a struggle by a teacher for her professional integrity and academic freedom against an increasingly conformist and fearful administration and community. Hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan and curated by Olomopolo Media, the festival highlights the power of cinema to connect communities and inspire reflection on shared human experiences. The event will showcase 19 features and 10 shorts produced by Member States of the European Union, covering a diverse range of genres including comedy, thrillers, documentaries, and fiction. These films explore themes such as family, childhood, romance, friendship, climate change, history, war, economic hardship, human rights, and more. The festival is quite free and remains opens for public and families from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Saturday) at the PNCA.
