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Cinemanila reveals lineup for tenth anniversary


Fil-Am star Kenneth Moreleda of the movie Lucky Miles will be attending Dekada Cinemanila, which will run from October 16-29 at Gateway Mall in Cubao. 

Jocelyn Dimaculangan


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Cinemanila reveals lineup for tenth anniversary

Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
05:40 PM

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"We want the best films for Cinemanila and we make sure that we give a good program with strong titles," says festival director Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz VI. "The decision to hold it in October was made because it was right after the Pusan International Film Festival, which is a major film fest."

During the October 11 press conference of Dekada Cinemanila at Gateway Mall, Cubao, Direk Tikoy revealed that Fil-Am star Kenneth Moreleda of the movie Lucky Miles will be attending Dekada Cinemanila. Mr. Moreleda earlier starred with Cesar Montano in Miramax's The Great Raid.


The 10th anniversary of Cinemanila will take place from October 16-29 at Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao. Aptly so, the biggest draw this edition are the films themselves. Cinemanila has put together an impressive line-up that boasts of films screened in Cannes, the much heralded in Venice and the grand winners from some of the major international film festivals. The best films from over 35 countries all over the world are also in full force.

 

Opening the festival is Sparrow, the latest offering from Hong Kong's master of cult Johnny To. The film premiered at the recent Berlin Film Festival where it was also selected in competition.

 

In the International Category, Lav Diaz's winning opus at Venice's Orrizonti section, Melancholia, competes for the Brocka Award with other critically praised films from Australia (Lucky Miles), Israel (Band's Visit), Iran (Night Bus), Iceland/USA/ Philippines (The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela), Japan (United Red Army) and Russia (Vanished Empire).

 

The Southeast Asia Competition is just as tough. The Philippines' Adela has to face off with another Philippine entry, Confessional, and the likes of Indonesia's Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly. The latter is incidentally the winner of last year's Boracay Co-production Meeting. Also in the running are choice picks from Malaysia (Flower in the Pocket), Thailand (Love of Siam), Singapore (12 Lotus) and Indonesia (The Photograph).

 

Perhaps the crowning jewel of this year's festival, the Tribute to Quinzaine des Réalisateurs Section features films that have been given the honor to be screened at the Directors' Fortnight of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

 

Da Huang Pictures is also given the spotlight in recognition of its major contributions to the development of independent filmmaking in Malaysia. To be screened are some selected works from the group's esteemed roster of talents like Tan Chui Mui and James Lee.

 

This year, earning the honor of being Director in Focus is Brillante "Dante" Mendoza whose string of award-winning films ushered in a renaissance in local filmmaking. A retrospective of his films will be presented as a special part of the festival.

 

Always a highlight in every edition of Cinemanila, this year's Digital Lokal prides itself with entries from six of the most recognized names in Filipino digital filmmaking Raya Martin (Next Attraction), Ato Bautista (Carnivore), Briccio Santos (Ala Pobre Ala Suerte), Sherad Anthony Sanchez (Imburnal), CJ Andaluz (Sisa), and Paolo Herras (Ang Manghuhula).

 

The next wave of Filipino filmmakers is recognized at the Young Cinema Section where nine short films will vie for the Ishmael Bernal Prize. These are Amihan (Joanna Vasquez Arong), Bunot (Ivy Universe Baldoza), Esbat (Carlo Obispo), Inday Wanda (Nelson Caliguia), Kalawang Na Ginto (Vic Acedillo, Jr. ), Surreal Random MMS Texts Para Ed Ina, Agui Tan Kaamong Ya Makaiiliw Ed Sika : Gurgulis Ed Banua (Christopher Gozum), Tumbang Preso (Antoinette Jadaone), Undertakers (Emmanuel Palo), Kamera (Mikhail Red) and Frou Frou Ssh, Wag Mong Sabihin Kay Itay (Michael Juat).

 

Cinemanila also pays tribute to Australia in the Dreams From Down Under section.

 

Closing the festival is the immortal classic Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim directed by the great Lino Brocka and penned by Jose "Pete" Lacaba Jr. Incidentally, Mr. Lacaba is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award from Cinemanila.


In his text message to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Mr. Lacaba expressed his gratitude for receiving this honor. "Nakakataba ng puso [ang parangal]. And I'm happy not just for myself but for my fellow screenwriters. To the audience, a movie is usually all about the stars, and to critics, it's 'a film by' the director. The Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the major contribution that screenwriters make as co-authors in cinema." 


Aside from the films in competition, almost a hundred films will be in exhibition showcasing the best of world cinema. For the first time, the master classes to be offered by Cinemanila will be reviewed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

 

New categories are introduced this year: the Vic Silayan Award for acting, and the first United Nations Millennium Development Goal prize to be awarded to the filmmaker whose work best explores the themes of poverty alleviation, ecological consciousness, health promotion and preservation of the way of life of indigenous peoples. It comes with a cash prize of $1,000.

 

Dekada Cinemanila will run from October 16-29 at Gateway Cineplex 10, Araneta Center, Quezon City. It is presented by the Independent Cinema Association of the Philippines (ICAP), the NCCA, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Dekada Cinemanila is also supported by Gateway Cineplex 10, the official festival venue, Screen Australia and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Philippine Airlines.

 

The 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival is also made possible by Cinema One and ABS-CBN, TBWA, Business World and Manila Bulletin, Solid Video, Scenema Concept International, Rene Barbier Wines, Orion Chocopie and Mike & Ike candies, NU 107, XFM 92.3, and PEP.ph. Special thanks to the Office of the President, PAGCOR, PCSO, and the Department of Tourism.

 

The awarding ceremony of Cinemanila will be held on October 20 at Malacañang.

Tickets to the movies will be sold at P100.

 



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