The European Film Festival and Tour opened on Thursday, May 3, 2007, at the National Theatre with a German film, The Edukators (2004). Introduced by German Ambassador, Claas Dieter Knoop (PhD); European Union's (EU) Representative to Ethiopia, Timothy Clarke; and a representative from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Film Festival is a month long celebration of European, and for the first time in the event's decade long history, Ethiopian cinema.

The first German film to compete in the Cannes Film Festival after 11 years of abstinence, The Edukators (its original German title is Die Jahre Sind Vorbei, literally, "the fat years are over") is a comedic crime drama about three young activists. In a struggle to find a niche for their idealistic struggle the two males of the trio Jan (Daniel Brühl) and Peter (Stipe Erceg) break into wealthy peoples' homes while they are on vacation. But instead of stealing anything, the two rearrange the luxuries inside the mansions and leave a note reading "you have too much money" or "your life of plenty will not last long" in an attempt to scare the inhabitants and cause them to question their lifestyles.

The joke gets out of hand when Julie (Julia Jentsch, Best Young Actress, Bavarian Film Awards, 2005) and Jan decide to commit an impromptu break-in, without the usual preparations, to the house of a man Julie was paying an insurance debt to. The slightly tipsy duo finds the exhilaration a turn-on and they begin a sexual relationship while inside the residence, behind the back of Julie's boyfriend Peter.

In the excitement, Julie leaves her mobile inside the house, necessitating the couple return to the home. However, while searching for the lost item, the owner of the house, Hardenberger (Burghart Klaussner), returns and recognises Julie. Thinking quickly of how to avoid imprisonment, the pranksters kidnap the man, pick-up Peter and drive to the countryside to conjure a plan.

While in the beautiful mountainside cabin owned by Julie's uncle, the four discuss their respective viewpoints' and try to understand how they have all wound up in this predicament. The setting provides the environment for a bond to form and Hardenberger reveals that he was an activist much like the youngsters before becoming the tycoon of his current state.

Director Hans Weitgartner creates an original setting for a discussion of the problems contemporary activists find in constructing novel protest. The film features only four main characters and thus the viewer is able to become personally drawn into the plight of each.

Technically sound and philosophically stimulating, The Edukators, makes for a great conversation piece. While the young activists certainly have valid criticisms of the modern capitalist system, the viewer is also meant to feel for the older man trying to raise a safe family. In the end it appears that neither party is swayed by the other's argument but rather the viewer must choose who to sympathise with.

The Festival, presented in collaboration with EU member states, Delegation of the EU to Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will show 32 films from 15 countries in Addis Abeba, at the National Theatre and Italian Cultural Institute, Mekele, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Dire Dawa, Awassa and Jimma, for five Birr each. All films are shown in English or their native language with English subtitles.