‘EU film festival now a meeting place to dicuss ideas… people-to-people interactions important’: EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin

At the same time, Indian students heading to member countries of the EU for higher education has reached almost 1 lakh (accounting for 8% of all Indian students going abroad) at a time when those heading to the top three destinations — Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom — has decreased.

But there is another way in which the EU is inching closer to India. Through films.

On October 31, the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) was unveiled in Delhi and 28 acclaimed European films were screened for nine days at four venues. This festival (which has been running for three decades in India) then travelled to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where it ran for another nine days each.

Hervé Delphin, EU Ambassador to India, spoke to The Indian Express about the importance of the EUFF and how films go a step further in getting the bloc closer to India.

How has the role and strategic importance of the EU film festival in India evolved over the past three decades?

Three decades is a generation. Over time, perspectives of Indians towards these films have changed. I was not there 30 years ago, but it probably started off as just an opportunity to present European movies. It wasn’t such a known event earlier.

I think what has certainly changed over time is how it moved from simply showcasing movies to really become a meeting place for actors, the public, film writers and film directors, who wish to exchange their thoughts.

It’s not just what you see on the screen, but more about what happens around and outside the theatre. In film festivals, people come to see movies… but around the film festival they talk, they meet, they discuss ideas. I feel that the EU film festival is slowly getting into that league of film festivals where people start to talk and exchange thoughts.

It might not be as big as other film festivals, but it has its own identity. For those who really want to learn about Europe through its cinema industry, this is a real go-to place and an amazing opportunity to not only watch quality movies, but also to meet film directors, writers, actors.

Not only have the numbers of audiences and interactions increased, but over the years, the selection of movies has also improved. What the Indian public can see now is premium content. Prize-winning movies are often on display.

Have you noticed a growth in cinematic ventures between India and the EU in recent years? Are there any initiatives being implemented by governments to support these?

I think cinema is a space of freedom and cultural creation. So, I think the best thing is when film directors and producers naturally meet without any sort of government framework. That’s what these festivals are about.

We know that in the cinema industry you need a lot of funding. So, when governments can, through programmes, support the industry and leave the space of creation to the directors, I think this is great.

What we see now is clearly the recognition that relations between nations are not just about government or business-to-business, but more and more about people-to-people interactions.

Do you think these films have an impact on the Indian audience’s understanding of European cinema or their values and their society?

You may ask 100 people tonight about the films and they’ll give 100 different answers. I think there is an element of intangibility here that no one can grasp.

What I think is that movies somehow hold a mirror. They break down and tackle prejudices. And I think in Europe, we need to break down those prejudices. So, the question is, how does that resonate with an Indian audience? I think this is an interesting thing. You know, a movie is not there to give answers… it’s there to raise questions.

In a sense, the themes in the European films are universal so I definitely think the Indian audience can relate to them. I feel that Indians can connect to these films because we are both so diverse.

The more we create bridges to connect India and Europe, the better it is. Politically and economically being connected is great, but we also need to focus on people-to-people connections.

I heard it from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar – he said from all the strategic relations that India has with major powers, the one which has the most potential to grow is the one with Europe. And we think the same about India. An important part of this relationship will involve cultural dimensions.