20/09/2013 - 14 films shortlisted by the European Film Academy and five Oscar submissions on the programme of Finland’s 26th Helsinki International Film Festival: Love & Anarchy between September 19-29

Launched yesterday by Abdellatif Kechiche’sCannes winner, Blue Is the Warmest Colour [+see also:
film review
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interview: Abdellatif Kechiche
film profile] (photo), Finland’s 26^th Helsinki International Film Festival: Love & Anarchy (September 19-29) embarked on a programme of more than 300 films, including 160 features, adding the Finnish Film Affair (September 24-26).

Kechiche’s love story of two young women is not the only festival winner or prize candidate in town; 14 of the films shortlisted by the European Film Academy for the European Film Awards 2013 will screen in the showcase, and five submissions for the Oscar 2014: Kim Mordaunt’s The Rocket (Australia), Ulrika Bengts’ Disciple [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Finland), Nana Ekvtimishvili-Simon Groß’ In Bloom [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simo…
film profile] (Georgia), Srdan Golubovic’s Circles [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Nikola Rakocevic
interview: Srdan Golubovic
film profile] (Serbia), and Gabriela Pichler’s Eat Sleep Die [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: China Ahlander
interview: Gabriela Pichler
interview: Nermina Lukac
film profile] (Sweden).

Surprise films announced just prior to the festival opening include US directors Zak Knutson’s and Joey Figueroa’s Milius, a documentary about Hollywood writer-director John Milius, and US director Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects, with Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum and Jude Law. US director Nicole Holofcener’s romantic comedy Enough Said will unspool as a tribute to the recently deceased actor James Gandolfini.

Copenhagen-based US director Joshua Oppenheimer will introduce his award-winning documentary The Act of Killing [+see also:
trailer
film profile] – additional screenings have already been scheduled; among other Nordic guests are Norwegian directors Dag Johan Haugerud (I Belong) and Erik Skjoldbjærg, with producer Christian Fredrik Martin (Pioneer [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). 50 international film professionals have registered for the second edition of the Finnish Film Affair to see 30 Finnish recent and upcoming films and 16 works-in-progress.