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    • New Talents Open Call
      Eastern Neighbours Film Festival (ENFF) began in The Netherlands in 2008 with the idea to offer Dutch and international audiences a unique glimpse into the cinema of their neighbors from Eastern and Southern Europe. This annual event presents the most recent, exciting, and thought‐provoking films, from countries with small, but often powerful film industries, that… Read more: New Talents Open Call
    • ENFF 2023 On Demand!
      Unable To attend the festival in person? No problem! From November 27th to December 3rd, we’re thrilled to bring you a curated selection of this year’s films available for online viewing! Catch our captivating Opening Film Ivan’s Land, or the touching Closing Film Seventh Heaven. Or explore a collection of shorts from the New Talents Competition! Follow along… Read more: ENFF 2023 On Demand!
    • What’s up in Slovak Cinema? A conversation with Monika Lostakova
      We talked with Monika Lošťáková about contemporary Slovak cinema.
    • ENFF and the Eastern European Film Festival Network!
      The Eastern European Film Festival Network brings together five film festivals dedicated to promoting and showcasing Eastern European cinema, alongside one partner organisation.
    • Masterclasses
      Through these masterclasses we approach two memory in film from different angles: memories from a personal or collective recollection through archive material.
    • Work in Progress
      In Work in Progress, emerging filmmakers and artists will present their works in development to the audience and engage in discussions with Dutch experts.
    • Festival Timetable Available!
    • Check out the catalogue for our 2023 edition!
    • Music at ENFF
      Every year, ENFF brings special musical guests who bring beauty to the program and further represent the rich cultures of their countries to a Dutch audience.
    • Film Marathon
      Join us for the Film Marathon, a new concept in which we merge two components, Short Films, Big Stories, and New Talents Competition into a whole-day screening of short films!

ENFF On Tour in De Balie, Amsterdam: Havel

Havel is a story about one of Europe’s most distinctive personalities as seen through the lenses of award-winning director Slavek Horak. The film brings us a captivating portrait of a Czech hero, dissident of the communist regime, a writer and former Czech president, Vaclav Havel, his evolution as well his role in the revolution.
For the introduction and after the screening, we welcome our special guest, prof. Petr Kopecky, from Leiden University. Read this wonderful review from Variety to warm up.

This screening is organized in partnership with Czech Centre.

Screening: 13th October | 19:30 hours | De Balie | Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 1017 RR Amsterdam

A captivating portrait of a Czech hero, dissident of the communist regime, a writer and former Czech president, Vaclav Havel, his evolution as well his role in the revolution.

Synopsis

Based on the dramatic life of Vaclav Havel, this biopic follows the national icon between the 1960s and the late 1980s. The narrative revolves around his transformation from careless bohemian artist into human rights activist, dissident and prisoner of the communist regime, climaxing with Havel becoming the leader of Czech Velvet Revolution and president of Czechoslovakia. Featuring strong performances from its entire cast, the film focuses on Havel’s political drive and personal life. His unorthodox relationship with his wife Olga, who serves as his moral mirror and conscience, propels Havel’s growth from young dandy into mature, responsible man as he is put under growing pressure by the totalitarian regime. Despite paying a heavy price for his involvements, he rises from the ashes becoming the first president of the new Czech Republic.

Country: Czech Republic Year: 2020 Length: 104 min Director: Slavek Horak Cinematography: Jan Stastny Editing: Vladimir Barak Cast: Viktor Dvorak, Anna Geislerova, Martin Hofmann, Barbora Seidlova Production: Slavek Horak – TVORBA Films; Ceska televize Subtitles: English Dutch Premiere

Festivals & Awards (selection)

Rome Independent Film Festival, 2020 – Best Film | Sao Paulo International Film Festival, 2020 | Heartland International Film Festival, 2020 | Zagreb Film Festival, 2020 | Czech Lion Awards, 2021 – Best Make-up | Cleveland International Film Festival, 2021