2024 AFI European Union Film Showcase, Silver Springs, Maryland

Fri, December 06 — Sat, December 21, 2024
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Now in its 37th edition, the “AFI European Union Film Showcase” continues its tradition of bringing the best in European cinema to Washington, DC-area audiences, including the screening of four acclaimed Spanish films.

This year’s selection features award-winning films from international festivals, European box office hits, and debut works by promising new talents. It also includes official Academy Award® submissions for Best International Feature Film from various countries. The festival offers a platform for films that may not otherwise reach U.S. audiences, while promoting global appreciation for European cinema. In addition to screenings, the festival will host panels and discussions with established filmmakers and emerging voices in the industry.

https://silver.afi.com/Browsing/EventsAndExperiences

The other way around

On Friday, December 6 at 7 pm.
On Wednesday, December 11 at 9 pm.

After 15 years together, Ale and Alex have decided to throw a party to celebrate their recent breakup. Although their friends are skeptical, they appear confident in their choice. But are they really?

In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Marco, the invented truth

On Saturday, December 14 at 8:30 pm.
On Wednesday, December 18 at 9:10 pm.

After the Spanish Civil War, many Republicans fled the country, only to be captured by the Nazis and interned in their brutal concentration camps during World War II. For many years, the Spanish government refused to acknowledge this tragedy. Enric Marco, a prominent survivor, spoke out against the horrors he endured. But what happens when his entire story is revealed to be a lie?

In English, Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

The party’s over

On Tuesday, December 17 at 7 pm.
On Thursday, December 19 at 4:45 pm

Lonely divorcée Carmina leads an empty life in her magnificent villa in Andalusia, southern Spain. Although her lively parties provide some distraction, her friendships lack depth. When she discovers young Senegalese migrant Bilal living in her shed, Carmina seizes the chance to help someone in need and to forge a friendship through a complicated mix of charm and manipulation. As Carmina’s housekeeper Lupe learns about Bilal, the tense dynamics between the laborer, the migrant, and the landowner become increasingly apparent.

In Spanish and French with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

The room next door

On Saturday, December 21 at 7:00 pm. Closing night.
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Spain, 2024, 107 minutes.

Bestselling author Ingrid (Julianne Moore) is shocked to learn that her old friend Martha (Tilda Swinton, reuniting with Almodóvar after The Human Voice) has been diagnosed with cancer. After drifting apart in recent years, the women reconnect when Martha is hospitalized for treatment. With her life at stake, Martha reveals harsh truths about her past as both a mother and a war correspondent. Ingrid offers support to the best of her ability, but her fear of death tests her resolve. However, one final request may push Ingrid beyond her limits.

In English. Watch trailer.