GSC Holland Film Festival

GSC is having a Holland Film Festival on 26 April to 2 May 2007, only in GSC Mid Valley. I think it's the first ever of it's kind, after having so many other countries as it's film fest. theme (France, Japan, etc.). After checking out the list I found out that according to online reviews, many of the shows are not really worth watching. There are only a select few which are good, and I will highlight them here. Again, for a limited time of only 7 days, don't expect to catch all of them in the cinema. So, best advice is to check the reviews first before going.


Blue Bird (2004)
Director: Mijke de Jong
Cast: Ingeborg Ansing, Elsie de Brauw, Benja Bruijning, Anne Buurma, Fred Goessens, Edward Haak, Bright O'Richards, Elske Rotteveel, Kees Scholten, Jaap Spijkers.
Synopsis: (from GSC)
For the new series of six Telefilms the socially engaged director Mijke de Jong chose the subject of pestering. Using an observing camera, the film follows Merel, a twelve-year-old girl, who from one day to the next falls victim to harassment at school. Not because she is shy, stupid or ugly - Merel sings in a musical, excels in all subjects and is a sports fanatic - but because she coincidentally becomes the butt of a power scheme. Initially, the badgering takes place surreptitiously, but then it becomes ever more frequent, open and especially violent...

IMDB user rating: 7.9/10



Paradise Now (2005)
Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Cast: Hiam Abbass, Lubna Azabal, Kais Nashef, Ali Suliman.
Nominations & Awards:
- Won (Golden Globe 2006) Best Foreign Language Film
- Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year (Oscar 2006)
Synopsis: (from GSC)
Dutch-German-French co-production is a political feature film about the topical issue of suicide missions in Israel. The Arabic-spoken film shows the final twenty-four hours of Khaled (Ali Suliman) and Said (Kais Nashef), two young Palestinian friends who are 'chosen' to commit a suicide attack in Tel Aviv. On the eve of their secret mission...

IMDB user rating: 7.7/10

To view the full list of shows, click here.