EU film contest can help bridge democratic deficit says MEP

The European parliament’s LUX prize can ‘help bridge the gap’ between the EU and its citizens, according to French Greens MEP Gérard Onesta.

The LUX prize aims to recognise independent movie making and give a boost to the European film industry.

But Onesta says the contest can also help bridge the so-called democratic deficit in the EU.

Eligibility for entries includes being able to 'illustrate the universality of European values and/or bringing into the debate the process of building Europe.'

Onesta, the member of parliament’s bureau charged with overseeing the competition, said, “The EU is often seen by the public as a cold, aloof and far-away project.

“But many people love culture and films in particular and I believe such an event can help generate greater affection for and understanding of the EU."

“I would also hope that the prize, which is worth €87,000 to the winner, will help generate more interest in the European film industry and encourage homegrown movie makers."

Out of over 800 submissions, three films have been shortlisted by a 17-strong panel of experts for this year’s prize.

The films include Delta by Kornél Mundruczo, a film about a quiet young man who returns to the wild, isolated landscape of the Danube Delta and Le silence de Lorna  by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, which is about Lorna, a young Albanian woman living in Belgium.

Obcan Havel, by Miroslav Janek and Pavel Koutecky, meanwhile, looks behind the scenes of international politics in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century.

The three films will be shown in parliament until 17 October to anyone with access to the assembly, with the winner chosen by a group of MEPs. The winning film will be sub-titled in the 23 official languages of the EU and the prize will be awarded during a ceremony on 22 October.

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