Cinemalaya: Joy & hope for the movie industry

Cinemalaya has become a good habit for many filmmakers, students and cineastes. I look forward to it every year with joy and hope (for the movie industry). I remember Nestor Jardin of the CCP last year saying that Cinemalaya will be adding a new category to include filmmakers who have directed at least three full-length films. It is now called Directors’ Showcase. Cinemalaya received a number of “applications” which is proof of the interest of our mainstream directors to be part of Cinemalaya. Labels are now being blurred between what is indie and what is mainstream. It is now Filipino Cinema and Filipino storytellers of stories about us, our rich past and present and a hopeful future.

I have pledged my support to Mario O Hara when he offered me the script of Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio. I have always loved Andres Bonifacio. This is one factor that drove me to be part of the Sixth Cinemalaya aside from the fact that Mario gave my one and only superstar Nora Aunor, one of her best performances in Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.

To complete the list of competing directors in the Directors’ Showcase category are: Donor by Mark Meily, Pink Halo-Halo by Joselito Altarejos, Sigwa by Joel Lamangan, and Two Funerals by Gil Portes. The five finalists were each given a seed production grant of P500,000 by Econolink Investments, Inc. plus an additional P100,000 cash prize from FDCP. Undoubtedly, these big names in the industry will add luster to the Sixth Cinemalaya Film Festival.

In the New Breed category, a total of 19 films will compete: 10 shorts and nine full-length movies. The finalists in the Full-Length section are Halaw by Sheron Dayoc, Limbunan by Gutierrez Mangansakan II, Magkakapatid by Kim Homer C. Garcia, Mayohan by Dan Villegas and Paul Sta. Ana, Rekrut by Danny Añonuevo, Sampaguita by Francis Xavier Pasion, Si Techie, Si Teknoboy at si JuanaB by Art Katipunan, The Leaving by Ian-Dean S. Loreños and Vox Populi by Dennis Marasigan. The finalists of the Full-Length Feature category were awarded an initial seed investment of P500,000 from Econolink Investments, Inc. as a production grant.

Ten films will compete in the Short Feature section namely Boca by Zurich Chan, Breakfast with Lolo by Steven Flor, Dalaw by Janus Victoria, Despedida by Borgy Torre, Faculty by Jerrold Tarog, Harang by Mikhail Red, Hay Pinhod Oh Ya Scooter by Hubert Tibi, Lola by Joey Agbayani, P by Milo Tolentino and Wag kang Titingin by Pam Miras.

This year, Cinemalaya pays tribute to LVN Studios with a retrospective of LVN films. The LVN films to be shown represent a cross section of important directors and different genres from comedy, fantasy, war picture, musical to drama.

Scheduled for showing at the Cinemalaya are Aladin, 1946 by Vicente Salumbides starring Jaime de la Rosa and Norma Blancaflor; Victory Joe, 1947 by Manuel Silos starring Rogelio de la Rosa and Norma Blancaflor; Sumpaan, 1948 by Susana de Guzman starring Ely Ramos and Norma Blancaflor; Higit sa Lahat, 1955 by Gregorio Fernandez starring Rogelio de la Rosa and Emma Alegre; Kundiman ng Lahi, 1959 by Lamberto Avellana starring Eddie Rodriguez and Charito Solis; Nukso ng Nukso, 1960 by Fred Daluz starring Pugo, Bentot and Sylvia La Torre; Sandata at Pangako, 1961 by F.H. Constantino starring Fernando Poe Jr. and Charito Solis; Haring Kobra, 1951 by Richard Abelardo starring Rogelio de la Rosa and Lilia Dizon; and Kung Ako’y Mahal Mo, 1960 by Gregorio Fernandez starring Nestor de Villa and Charito Solis.

Apart from the films to be shown, the Cinemalaya Congress will be held on July 13 and 14 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). Titled Liberating the Indie Film 2000-2009, the congress aims to examine the myriad notions of “independence” in Filipino indie films of 2000-2009, especially those on inexpensive digital video format; as well as a look at how the filmmakers have resolved conflicts between their commitment to pursue an artistic vision and the need or desire to reach out to all types of audiences, from the elite to the popular. Filmmakers, writers, critics, members of the academe and industry and students from all over the Philippines are expected to attend the event.

Cinemalaya, in addition to the Competition films, will feature the following sections — NetPac films, Special Screenings, Retrospective, Kids’ Treats, and Ani: A Harvest of the Year’s Best. Other special highlights of the Cinemalaya Festival include the launching of two books, namely, The URIAN Anthology (1990-2000) by Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson and Filipino Directors Up Close & Personal: The Golden Ages of Philippine Cinema 1950-2010 by Bibsy Carballo; a Forum organized by the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative and the Sine Taktakan, a talkback session with the 2010 Cinemalaya finalists.

The Sixth Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and competition will be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), starting tonight until July 18 at the CCP.