IFFR 2014

As one of Europe’s largest film festivals, every year the International Film Festival Rotterdam – IFFR – saturates the city of Rotterdam with culture, with a sweet selection of not only movies but art, music, debate and the like too. There’s always more than enough to choose from, so to avoid rabbit-in-headlights mode, here are some of the films we’re looking forward to this year.

R100

Hitoshi Matsumoto’s latest tells the story of a typical salaryman who after signing up with a mysterious S&M club, is stalked by a league of dominatrices. Now he has to overcome his submissive nature to try and cancel his membership.

//www.youtube.com/embed/65CmJoBE11A

La jalousie

So get this: Philippe Garrel made a film about his father Maurice and cast his son, pretty boy Louis Garrel, in the main part. Maurice leaves his wife and child for a disillusioned actress. While trying to get her a job, both lose themselves in depression.

//www.youtube.com/embed/_YObnrZz4Wg

The State of Europe: My Own Private Europe

This year’s theme is labeled ‘The State of Europe’. Selection ‘My own Private Europe’ digs into some personal views on the European identity.

The Reunion

It’s Festen all over again in a movie about a party and some bitter accusations. In her directorial debut Swedish conceptual artist Anna Odell stars – as herself.

Historia de la meva mort

Reason and Romance meet in Historia de la meva mort by Albert Serra, when womanizing intellectual Casanova encounters the mysterious Count Dracula. After Don Quichot and the Bible, Serra once again reinterprets icons from literature.

//www.youtube.com/embed/5DZYG8Yo9CU

The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji

It seems only last year that we were anxious to see Miiki Takashi’s latest flick at the IFFR. O wait – it was only last year. Shooting movies faster than his own shadow, this year Takashi treats us to an epic adventure about the yakuza.

//www.youtube.com/embed/2bAXcaB82b8

The 43rd edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam takes places at different locations throughout Rotterdam from 22 January until 2 February 2014. For more IFFR visit: FilmFestivalRotterdam.com