When was the last time you were able to watch a Greek movie one day and Estonian movie the next? Even in Toronto, it can be difficult to find European films on the big screen. From November 14 to 27, film fans can watch some of the best movies from countries across Europe at the Toronto European Union Film Festival (EUFF). One film, the crime thriller Blind Spot, is Luxembourg’s 2014 Foreign Film Oscar entry.

The Toronto European Union Film Fest is different from any other Film Fest. First and foremost it’s free, entry is provided on a first come, first serve basis, the box office opens one hour before the screening. But the main particularity is that the festival is programmed not by theme or vision but by country. There are no breakthroughs at the EUFF, but the line up is decent, 28 countries 34 films with 4 North American Premieres, 6 Canadian Premieres and 8 Toronto Premieres, all films are screening at the Royal Cinema (608 College St.)

Our 3 Top Movie picks are:
From Portugal: The Consul of Bordeaux (O Consul De Bordéus) 2011- North American Premiere

Director: Francisco Manso, Joao Correa Thursday 21 November 2013 6:30PM

Big fans of History and real life stories, the tales of Aristides Sousa Mendes’s efforts to rescue more than 30,000 people including 10,000 Jews (during World War II) is a must see even if I do not expect the film to have the same success and distribution as Schindler’s List .

From Ireland: Natural Grace 2012

Director: Art Ó Briain Wednesday 27 November 2013 6:30PM

An Irish documentary following the life and music of Martin Hayes, one of Ireland’s top fiddlers. It moves from his childhood home in rural Ireland, to Chicago and even Japan, as he talks us through his experiences with music. Winner of the 2012 Best Irish Feature Documentary at Galway’s Film Fleadh.

From Luxembourg: Blind Spot 2012

Director: Christophe Wagner Tuesday 26 November 2013 8:30PM

Making its Canadian premiere, Blind Spot concerns a cop and his boss investigating his brother’s murder. A movie that can stand alongside the best noir movies, Blind Spot is also Luxembourg’s submission to the 2014 Oscars.