In the framework of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, EFAD, the Czech Center Brussels, the Czech Film Fund and the Czech Presidency of the EU proposed the exclusive screening in Brussels of the Czech feature film Il Boemo directed by Petr Václav, on Wednesday 16 November at Bozar. The event was the opportunity to celebrate Czech cinema and promote the cultural diversity objectives at European level.

The film was introduced by Cécile Despringre, Executive Director of the Society of Audiovisual Authors, by MEP Martina Dlabajova (CZ, Renew), and by Helena Frankova, CEO of the Czech Film Fund. The screening was followed by a Q&A proposed by the Czech Center Brussels.

The event was organised in partnership with European associations in the culture and audiovisual sector: FERA - Federation of European Screen Directors, Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA), Europa Cinemas, Coalitions Européennes pour la Diversité Culturelle (CEDC), CICAE - Arthouse Cinema, Europa Distribution, Europa International, European Film Academy (EFA), Cineuropa, CEPI – European Audiovisual Production, Eurocinema, European Producers Club (EPC), Bozar, the Embassy of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium, Europa Distribution, Europa International, Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU.

About the film

Il Boemo tells of the extraordinary fortunes and lifework of one of classical music’s most important figures, Josef Mysliveček (1737–81), friend and teacher to Mozart. Mysliveček was a major star in 18th-century Italy before his fall from grace and death in obscurity. The director’s interest in making the film extends beyond Mysliveček’s music to his inner motivations and passions, his need for artistic fulfilment and his dramatic life.

Photos (c) Marcela Jurickova

See here the other EFAD Rendez-vous with European cinema