Organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, Pelicula/Pelikula is considered the biggest showcase of Spanish and Latin American films in Southeast Asia.
This year, the organizers present two important classics: the short films of world cinema pioneer Segundo de Chomón, as well as Los últimos de Filipinas.
Spanish film pioneer De Chomón spent most of his influential career in being associated with Pathé Laboratories. He started working in Barcelona's film industry in 1902 and is considered one of cinema's first great masters of optical effects.
Antonio Román's 1945 film Los últimos de Filipinas is set during the Spanish-American War. The commandant of a Spanish detachment in Baler, Quezon province, realizes that the native people of his district are planning an insurrection. He orders his troops to seek refuge in the village church. During their stay, which is prolonged for nearly a year, several incidents show the tenacity and heroism of the Spanish soldiers.
The Spanish film fest is expected to showcase 21 films in 14 days this month at Greenbelt 3. Around 14,000 viewers participated in Pelicula/Pelikula last year. Moviegoers will be able to vote for the Best Film of the Festival. The Audience Choice Film will be shown again at the closing of the Festival on October 14, 7:00 p.m.
This cultural event is just one part of the annual Fiesta! Festival Cultural Español. This year, as in the past six years, Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings you a fine selection of the latest Spanish cultural productions across numerous fields and disciplines—ranging from photography, film and theater, to dance, cuisine, and literature.
Other scheduled events for the ¡Fiesta! are:
Music and Dance in the Royal Court, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. at the RCBC Plaza Auditorium. This is a production of the Formacion de Camara Almodis where the music of Luigi Bocherini is combined with a scene of castanets and Spanish classical ballet of the 18th century. Free entrance. RSVP 0928-4375150 (Lourdes).
Yo solo quiero caminar, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). This is Spanish choreographer Alberto Hetos' latest modern dance piece. For details call Isabel at 526-1447.
Spanish guitarist Miguel Trapaga presents his personal journey of 200 years of Spanish classical music that includes compositions by Dionisio Aguado, Fernando Sor, Federico Moreno Torroba and Jose Manuel Fernandez on Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., at the RCBC Plaza Auditorium. Free entrance. For reservations call 526-1447.
Homenaje a Andres Segovia, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Salon de Actos of the Instituto Cervantes. In this concert, Mr. Trapaga pays tribute to the legacy of Andres Segovia by playing some of his most familiar pieces. Free entrance. RSVP 0928-437-5150 (Lourdes).
Flamenco: Grupo de Baile Flamenco de David Perez Almagro, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., at the RCBC Auditorium. Mr. Almagro will be accompanied by Rosario Villar Amador and Rocio del Consuelo Palacios for dance and voice, Jose David Acedo on guitar and Francisco Javier Teruel on palma.
DWOMO, Oct. 27, 9 p.m., at the Instituto Cervantes. The story of how DWOMO came to be is just as special as its music. The group has nothing to do with futile marketing tactics disguised as modern, nor with passing trends. They make a "cosmic cocktail" blended with global vision. DWOMO is composed of Jorge Loran Martin-Fabiani and Antonio J. Iglesias Zurita, two gentlemen from Madrid who love sound and create musical artifacts. Their songs have a dose of techno and rock with a cosmopolitan soul.
Pelicula/Pelikula screening dates: October 1 to 14, 2007
Venue: Greenbelt 3, Cinema 2
For inquiries, please call Instituto Cervantes at 5261482 to 85. To view screening schedules of Pelicula/Pelikula, visit http://manila.cervantes.es/Pelikula2007.htm