Cinemalaya piyesta!
Cinemalaya Film Festival officially opens tomorrow yeheeey!!!
This year's festival is said to be bigger and longer than festivals past because
a) it boasts of 209 screenings/events in 9 days, 120 pinoy digital flicks, 11 world premieres, 9 cinemalaya 2007 full-lengths, 10 cinemalaya 2007 shorts!
b) it starts Jul 20 and ends Jul 29, will be held in 6 CCP venues, with 5 screenings simultaneously in each!
and
c) it's UNCUT: as usual, nothin's cut in CCP hah! hooray!
Aside from the new 2007 films, this year's festival also showcases the 2005 and 2006 Cinemalaya full-length and short films. So if you failed to see those films then, this is your chance to finally see them on the big screen!
So, basically it's a feast of this generation's best films and yet-to-be-discovered best films. That's 9 days of Pinoy talent mostly by folks our age...and some, just a little bit older :) That's two days more than a week so dear, you have no excuse not to go :p
Specifically, I've been rabid about this year's full-length entries. Been reading film synopses and watching some trailers in YouTube to filter which films I'd shell out a hundred bucks for. (I'd love to watch ALL the entries but well, maybe when I miraculously get a free pass.)
Here's my list, so far. Based on my readings, Ping's and Raya's recommendations, YouTube trailers, film directors' bio, some behind-the-scenes sleuthing, and over-all, the film's motive.
Click on the title to view trailer!
1) "Endo" by Jade Castro
I read the entire script of this film, which was lent to me by the film's musical scorer Owel Alvero. I cried at some parts, surprisingly. This is a love story so I thought it could get cheesy but I didn't see that in the script though. Jade Castro is a great writer. Raw emotions without the unnecessary melodrama. Jade can seriously dish out quotable quotes which we'll SMS to friends during muni-muni time in bed at night. This is the first time he's directing a full-length so I hope he's as good a director as he is a screenwriter.
Starring Jason Abalos and Ina Feleo. Plus, interesting cameos here and there ;)
Gala event for "Endo" happens on Sunday, Jul 22, 3:30 pm at CCP Main Theatre.
2) "Tribu" by Jason Libiran
I would have unintentionally foregone this film if Ping hadn't told me to watch its trailer on YouTube. "Tribu" is a social commentary devoid of the preachy dialogue and heroic, ego-inflating attempts to change the world. It's social realism studied through the eyes of a 10-yr old boy living in impoverished Tondo. It's not "City of God" Pinoy version but it could well serve the same purpose. It features real life Tondo gang members. I admire the brave effort of the creators to showcase this kind of film. I wish the film will do justice to the motives it set out to achieve.
Starring Jamir Garcia (of Slapshock, yes), Ira Marasigan, Malou Crisologo, Dice & Hi C (Mobbstarrs), Loonie & Ron (Stick Figgas), God's Will, Faye Martel, Vim Nadera, Teo Antonio, Rey Guevarra Javier, Charena Escala.
3) "Kadin" by Adolf Alix Jr.
Adolf Alix Jr. brought us "Donsol" in last year's Cinemalaya as his directorial debut and sadly, I still haven't seen the film. Nevertheless, I only heard rave reviews about how the film, given the limitations of digital filmmaking, is such a visual feast. It showcases the beauty of the Philippines as it features the whale shark capital of the world, Donsol in Sorsogon. Adolf sets to do this again in this year's "Kadin," shot in the small Ivatan village of Chavayan in Sabtang Island, Batanes. "Kadin" is an odyssey of a young boy who sets out, with his sister, to search for their missing goat. Along the way, the boy gains new insight about the world he lives in.
This film has been officially invited to the 60th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland. Go, Pinoy talent, go! :) I hope this boosts the country's tourism.
Starring actors from the island, with the special participation of Angel Aquino and Simon Ibarra. Cast in the lead roles are Rico Mark Cardona and Monica Joy Camarillas.
4) "Tukso" by Dennis Marasigan
If there's a "star-studded" film in this year's Cinemalaya, this film takes the cake. As director Dennis Marasigan puts it, "Film viewers can expect a veritable lode of acting talent in Tukso."
"Tukso" is about a village girl who mysteriously turns up dead. An investigator looks into the case and the film presents the different perspectives of people who knew the girl. It's reminiscent of Akira Kurosawa's classic "Rashomon."
Starring award-winning film, television and theater actors led by Ricky Davao and dubbed "Queen of Philippine Independent Cinema," Irma Adlawan. Soliman Cruz, who won acclaim for his father roles in “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" and “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo”; Shamaine Buencamino, who played the other woman in “Crying Ladies.” Indie heartthrobs (yezzz) Ping Medina, known to television audiences for his roles in “Etheria” and also nominated in Gawad Urian for “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros;” and Sid Lucero, winner of the Golden Screen Awards for Breakthrough performance in last year’s Cinemalaya entry “Donsol.”
Ayan, my four picks among the bunch. I hope you'd get to watch these films because these will really really up your viewer IQ. As much as television is convenient and free (and nakakabobo at times), lay off the soaps for now and haul your couch potato ass to CCP!
Ticket prices: P100 for non-students, P50 for students w/ ID. Kitakits!