CHICAGO—Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gene Siskel Film Center will pause its critically acclaimed Chicago European Union Film Festival, usually slated for March, in what would have been the event’s 24th year. With the pandemic derailing production deadlines, European distributors have fewer films available, with many remaining titles held for theatrical release or released direct to streaming services, limiting festival options.
However, to still offer Chicago cinephiles a taste of EU cinema, the Film Center--which presents EU titles year round-- has scoured its sources and partnered with the Goethe-Institut Chicago in an effort to amp up its selection of European films in March, presenting eleven streaming options from EU nations, including the Netherlands, the Czech Republic*, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, and the UK. Many of these titles are exclusive to the Film Center in Chicago.
