R) Simone Petroni, Consul General of Italy; Dr. Michael Zickerick, Consul General of Germany; Hans Stalder, Swiss Consul General at the 5th European Film Festival in Jeddah. (SG photo by Fouzia Khan) JEDDAH: The Fifth European Film Festival kicked off here at the Italian Cultural Center with the screening of an Italian movie, Romanzo Criminale, a story of three lifelong friends who take control of organized crime in Rome. Eight European countries – Italy, Spain, Britain, Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, France and Ireland – are taking part in the event. The film festival has been organized by European consulates in Saudi Arabia. Italian Consul General Simone Petroni said the reason for organizing this event was that the European people loved cinema and art. Through this event, we wanted to share the culture and traditions of the European countries, he added. Petroni said that he was aware of the weaknesses of the European cinema when compared with the Hollywood flicks in terms of production and business. However, he added, the European movies were a great source of entertainment. “Cinema is a form of sophisticated art and today it is changing with technology, but still remains a very powerful medium to express desires and inspirations of the masses and also helps in the exchange of cultures,” he said. Romanzo Criminale is a film by Michele Placido actor and director. The movie revolves around Italy's recent political history, during which the country was hit by a wave of terrorism. “I think it is always exciting, the first day and opening of the film festival; this year it is more exciting because this year nine countries are participating, eight European and also the host country, Saudi Arabia, so we will have a chance to see Saudi culture at the same time with the exchange of European cultures,” said Christian Strob, the Cultural Attaché at the German Consulate.
