The third Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opened with much fanfare last night, July 20, at the main lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Lobby was filled with independent and mainstream directors, indie stars, and members of academe for the opening ceremonies, which kicked off the nine-day film festival ending on July 29.
A dance interpretation, which featured performers wearing golden body paint and a stylized version of the Gawad Balanghai on their heads, was choreographed by stage director Chris Millado of Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal fame.
Right after the program, the audience was treated to the Philippine premiere of Foster Child, the official selection in the Cannes' Film Festival's Director's Fortnight earlier this year. This Brillante Mendoza film tells the story of a poor family that takes a foster child under their wing.
Seiko Film's Robbie Tan, the producer of the 98-minute digital film, revealed that Cherry Pie Picache was "prohibited [from using] hair conditioner for three days so she could really look like a squatter [resident]."
Before the screening, Cherry Pie addressed the audience and gave a few words about her project. "Maraming salamat sa Cinemalaya sa pagpapatuloy ng ganitong festival. There's hope [for the Filipino film industry] and this hope gives more energy to actors and directors dito sa ating bansa. Nagpapasalamat rin kami because you've welcomed Foster Child to open Cinemalaya 2007.
"I beg your indulgence because this is the first time that my son, is actually going to see a film of mine after all these years. To my son, Anton, honey ko, this is for you."
Eugene Domingo, who is also part of the film, gave her own speech. "From a box-office queen in the mainstream [loud cheers from the audience], thank you so much and I agree one hundred percent with Sir Robbie, that this is out of love. Sakripisyo sa schedule, sakripisyo sa pang-gas, sakripisyo sa pagkain. Kung may pagmamahal tayo sa ginagawa natin sa sining ng paggawa ng pelikula, walang kuwenta and lahat ng paghihirap na iyan. Ang pelikula ay may mensahe tungkol sa pagmamahal. Sana ang lahat ay umuwi na napukaw ang iyoing damdamin dahil iyon ang nangyari sa amin habang ginagawa ang pelikula na ito."
In an interview, Cherry Pie told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that she felt elated upon learning the news that Foster Child would be screened at the Cannes' Film Festival in France. She shared that it took them around 13 to 14 days to shoot the film in a depressed area in Mandaluyong.
This indie movie will be part of the 9th Osian's Cinefan International Film Festival in India where it will be screened on July 26 and 29. Cherry Pie is hoping to attend the 2007 Pusan International Film Festival, Korea, that will take place from October 4-12.
Foster Child (2007)
A Seiko Films presentation of a CenterStage Prods. production.
Producer: Robbie Tan
Director: Brillante Mendoza
Screenplay: Ralston Jover
Synopsis:
Thelma (Cherry Pie Picache), together with her husband Dado (Dan Alvaro) and teenage sons Gerald (Alwyn Uytingco) and Yuri (Jiro Manio), are an urban poor family hired by a local foster care facility to provide temporary home and care to abandoned babies pending the latter's formal adoption. The inevitable separation is heart-rending for the foster family.
Thelma's foster child John-John (Kier Segundo) is to be turned over to his adoptive American parents. Every moment with the 3-year-old John-John becomes more precious as Thelma goes through the day fulfilling her motherly duties for the last time—bathing John-John, feeding him, and bringing him to school where the boy participates in a school presentation.
