20th European Film Festival at SU Showcases Cultural Experience

From November 18^th, 2023 to January 8^th, 2024, Soochow University marked the 20th Taiwan European Film Festival (TEFF), co-organized by the Departments of English and German for the second time. Featuring films from 17 European countries, the event selected four works for guided screening, aiming to promote cultural awareness and foster discussions on social issues and sustainability.

The festival began with the Luxembourgian film Lost Transport, part of the "German Movies" course. The film tells the story of unexpected friendships formed in the spring of 1945 among a German girl, a Dutch Jewish woman, and a Russian soldier, set against the backdrop of post-war Europe.

The Department of English presented three additional screenings with faculty-led seminars. On December 16^th, Professor Jen-Chou Liu led a discussion on the Polish film Dangerous Gentleman, a dark comedy about a group of notorious artists who wake up after a wild party to find a dead body with no memory of what happened.

On December 18^th, Professor Tung-An Wei conducted a seminar on the British documentary The Princess, which offers an immersive narrative of Princess Diana's life, exploring her impact on the monarchy and contemporary society through archival footage.

The final screening on January 8^th showcased the Swedish film Tuesday Club. Guided by Professor Chiu-Hua Su, the film portrays a woman rediscovering her passions and dreams after a life-changing personal revelation on her 40th wedding anniversary.

The SU Main Library’s viewing room served as the venue for all screenings, with in-depth discussions following each film to encourage cultural exchange and critical reflection. Attendees also had the chance to win Vieshow Cinema tickets through a raffle, adding an interactive element to the festival experience.