Laurice Guillen's Maskara opens Cinemalaya 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The Seventh Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition will open on July 15 with the premiere of Laurice Guillen’s film Maskara (Mask) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).

Maskara is an actor’s story unfolded through letters discovered by his wife 40 days after he dies. The letters lead his wife, Ellen, on a journey into a life more private than which he shared with his family and friends, and ultimately to a meeting with his secret daughter.

The cast of Maskara is led by Tirso Cruz III, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino and Guillen’s daughter, Ina Feleo, who also wrote the screenplay.

Guillen began her career in theater, moving on to TV and then to cinema in the ’70s working with such directors as Lino  Brocka, Mike de Leon, Gerry de Leon, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Danny Zialcita. In 1981, she directed her first film, Kasal. Her career as director has spanned 30 years during which time she directed 30 films among which are Salome, Init Sa Magdamag, The Dolzura Cortez Story, Tanging Yaman, American Adobo and Santa-Santita. Guillen’s name is associated with some of the best and most-awarded films in Philippine Cinema. In 2003, she was appointed chair and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. She currently chairs the competition of the Cinemalaya Film Festival.

Maskara will also open Cinemalaya 2011 at its satellite venue in Greenbelt Makati on July 16.

Cinemalaya will run from July 15 to 24 at the CCP and July 16 to 24 at Greenbelt. Cinemalaya will feature more than a hundred films on exhibition with 31 in competition. 

For details, call the CCP Film Office at tel. no. 832-1125 local 1704/05 and the CCP box-office at 832-3704 or visit www.cinemalaya.org and www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.