A touching tale about two grandmothers will officially open
the 11th edition of Cinemanila International Film Festival. The annual filmfest will be held from October 15 to 25 in Bonifacio Global
City in Taguig.
Lola is about two elderly women who cope and try to survive life's harsh realities for the elderly. Both bear the
consequences of a crime involving their respective grandsons—one is the victim,
the other is the suspect. Both weak and poor, the two grandmothers laboriously
solicit money in the midst of a storm: one for the victim's burial, the other
for the suspect's bail bond.
Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio are cast as the two
grandmothers.
Directed by Brillante "Dante" Mendoza, this indie film competed in the 66th
edition of the Venice Film Festival. This marks the first time a Filipino film
competed in Venice for the Golden Lion in 25 years. The last entry was Mike de
Leon's Sister Stella L. (presented under the title Sangandaan)
in 1984.
Incidentally, Direk Dante is the head of the Main Competition Jury of this
year's festival.
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to interview the acclaimed
director recently when his films were launched by PLDT as the initial content
for WatchPad, its new service for MyDSL subscribers.
"Ang Lola ang may pinakamagandang reviews sa lahat ng mga pelikula ko.
Talagang unanimous ang reviews nila, so this time kahit wala kaming
napanalunan, sobrang nakakatuwa," says Direk Dante about his latest work.
He even quipped, "Hindi ako sanay, hindi ako sanay ng walang negative, e."
Why does he think Lola get a more positive response compared to his previous films Serbis and Kinatay?
"Because Lola is a emotional film," he explained. "When you talk
about the unconditional love, the concept itself is already dramatic. Malapit
'yan sa puso ng tao, anything dramatic basta pinaguusapan yung pagmamahal,
unconditional love. But a film like Serbis or Kinatay, hindi mo
talaga immediately magugustuhan 'yan, kasi meron siyang ibang sinasabi."
Lola was shot for around 12 days in Malabon, a low-lying area that is
constantly submerged in deep water.
Direk Dante narrates, "Namamangka talaga sila [mga taga-Malabon]. Namamangka na
talaga sila doon kasi hindi na bumababa yung tubig. Lagpas tao na ang tubig
doon. At ang mga bahay nila nakapatong na talaga sa mga stilts."
NEXT PROJECT? When the press asked Direk Dante, what would be his next
project, he revealed that he is thinking about making a film based on the
kidnapping in Mindanao by the Abu Sayyaf.
He also revealed that he realized the resiliency of Filipinos when he recently
took footage of Ondoy victims.
"Sumasama ako sa mga nagbibigay ng relief goods. Doon mo
makikita ang mga Pilipino, kung paano sila nagiging survivor. Despite the fact
na wala na silang bahay, naglalakad na sila kung saan-saan, wala akong
nakikitang umiiyak, wala akong nakikitang nagko-complain. Nagtatawanan pa rin
sila, masaya sila. Pag binibigyan mo ng konting [tulong], tawa sila nang tawa."
Lola will be screened tomorrow, October 15, as the opening film
of Cinemanila. The invitation-only event will take place at Market! Market! in
Taguig City. Those who wish to watch the film can purchase tickets for the
following screening dates:
October 16 (FRIDAY)
5:10 - 7:10 PM Market! Market! Cinema 5
October 17 (SATURDAY)
2:15 - 4:15 PM Market! Market! Cinema 4
October 18 (SUNDAY)
11:00 - 1:00 PM Market! Market! Cinema 5
October 20 (TUESDAY)
2:50 - 4:50 PM Market! Market! Cinema 5
Tickets are priced at P120; students can purchase tickets @ P100. Call 392-7935 for further inquiries.
CLICK HERE for the complete screening schedule of the 11th edition of Cinemanila.