Visions Of Europe

Inevitably uneven, this compendium has 25 filmmakers – one from each of the 25 member-states of the EU – reflecting, any way they please, on how the Union might affect life in their own respective countries. Best by far are those by fairly established directors: Bélà Tarr’s endless Hungarian food-queue, Malgosia Szumowska’s droll tale of a remote crucifix at a Polish crossroads, Barbara Albert’s wry evocation of a divided Austria, Aki Kaurismäki’s tribute to traditional Portuguese (!) customs; Peter Greenaway’s three-colour shower; and Sasa Gedeon’s diplomatic stab at the Czech national anthem. The Benelux countries are generally the most disappointing, and a Maltese entry the most pleasingly cheeky surprise.