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20 years of Geneva International Film Festival

Born with Apollo 13, when we were all addicted to the series Friends or ER, the Geneva International Film Festival is about to celebrate its 20 years with An Eye For Beauty by Denys Arcand and Coming Home by Zhang Yimou: two Swiss Premieres which will respectively open and close the 2014 season.
This morning, I woke up with a smile on my face and headed to the Pitoëff theatre to attend the press conference and to wish a happy festival to one of my favourite festivals. As Godard (whose film Bridges of Sarajevo will be aired as a Swiss Premiere) used to say, a movie can “restore everything, mix everything up and say everything” and today, I am in the mood of telling you everything because “the world isn’t a sad place, it’s just big”.

Let’s clear the language issue first: most of the movies which will be screened are in their original version and if by any chance it’s not English, there will be English subtitles. While last year, we had to run across town to attend the different Festival events, this year, we will all gather at the Pitoëff theatre. As Emmanuel Cuenod (newly appointed director since last year) stated it this morning: “this festival is not aimed for movie lovers only”, it is also, in my humble opinion, an amazing human adventure. From November 6th to the 13th, you will be able to talk about everything such as Godard, meet someone new, discover something new, satisfy your appetite with the Gourmet Brothers who will be the official chefs, dance at the DJ Parties (and DJ Crowdpleaser will start this crazy week on Thursday, November 6th at night); in short, you’re about to live a week worthy of a movie scenario, something that is between a comedy and an adventure story.
But just because the Festival is 20 years old and is, in a way, reinventing itself, doesn’t mean it forgot where it came from. Some events such as the Sleepless Nights (i.e. Nuits Blanches) are part of it’s DNA and will take you to Misery (based on the ultra famous novel of Stephen King’s) up to the Fist of the North Star.
Finding the right balance between the past, the present and the future, that’s what the Festival should do in order to make history. The historical theme will also be covered by Damien Hirst during a conference in English called Veni, Vini, Vici: History in series where the famous screenwriter (we owe him The TudorsCamelot and Vikings) will be present. Because this year, the WorkFlow usually reserved for professionals will also be opened to the public.

As I always keep the best and the biggest for the end, let me invite you to click on the following articles related to two incredible events coming soon: Oculus rift where you find out where and when you can experiment 3D and the crazy idea the festival had to make a real drive-in for you to see movies just like in the good old days.

PS: you should know by now, My Big Geneva is full of surprises, so stay tuned, rumour has it that some of you will win 2 x 2 invitations to attend the opening and the closing of the Festival. 

From November 6th to the 13th
Rue de Carouge 52, 1205 Geneva
Book your tickets online: starting from 7.- for an event, festival pass 80.-

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