National filmfest 2013 at SM Cinemas

MANILA, Philippines - The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in cooperation with SM Cinema, presents Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 — the All-Masters Edition this month.

Unreeling from Sept. 11 to 17 at all SM Cinemas nationwide, the National Film Festival (NFF) 2013 — All Masters Edition will feature 12 of the country’s best and most prolific film directors. This year’s NFF will showcase masterpieces from Philippine cinema greats Tikoy Aguiluz, Mel Chionglo, Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, Joel Lamangan, Elwood Perez, Gil Portes, Jose Javier Reyes, Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Chito Roño, Romeo Suzara and Celso Ad. Castillo. Peque and Lore renew their powerhouse collaboration in Sonata. The film, which stars Cherrie Gil and Richard Gomez, tells the story of a worn-out artist who recovers her spirit through a relationship with a young boy.

Jose Javier, who is known for mainstream blockbusters like Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi, directs Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?. The film, which stars Bobby Andrews, Angel Aquino and Ryan Agoncillo, traces the life of Teresa, who has dedicated 60 years of her life to the service of a middle-class family at the expense of her own happiness and fulfillment. Now that the matriarch of the family has died, the children who were under her care have flown back from abroad to bury their mother and decide on the fate of their nanny.

Elwood of Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit fame, makes a comeback in Otso, which stars Anita Linda in a story of an ambidextrous, aging author who calls on his Muse to rid of his writer’s block. Gil, director of Mga Munting Tinig, meanwhile, directs Isang Tag-araw ni Twinkle, the account of a drug addict who seeks rehabilitation and in the process reconnects with her dying father. The film stars Ellen Adarna. Romy Suzara comes back with Tinik. The film, which stars Raymond Bagatsing and Hayden Kho, tells the story of a middle-aged couturier who faces the many problems of being gay, and in the midst of all his struggles, tries to hold on to his own dignity. Romy rose to fame in the early ’70s with movies like Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma and Cariñosa, both starring Vilma Santos.

Tikoy, on the other hand, directs Eman, a biopic on Eman Lacaba, a brilliant poet-turned-activist with Ramsey playing the lead role. Tikoy has directed a similar biopic in the mid-’80s, Balweg, about rebel priest Fr. Conrado Balweg.

Mel’s Lauriana centers on a domestic drama about a Philippine Constabulary soldier’s mistress in the ’50s. The film, which tackles obsession, passionate love and abuse, is based on a true story. The film casts Bangs Garcia and Allen Dizon. Chito’s Badil and Joel’s Lihis both have strong political themes. Badil revolves around a small barrio’s corrupted voting system seen through the eyes of a young boy. Lihis, on the other hand, is set in the martial law era and tells the story of two male members of a rebel organization, who, in the midst of their crusade, share an intimate relationship. It stars Jake Cuenca, Joem Bascon, Isabelle Daza, Lovi Poe and Gloria Diaz. Maryo’s Bamboo Flowers, a film that tackles the rousing beauty of the Bohol Island and the lives of the people in it, completes the line-up. The film casts Mylene Dizon, Max Collins, Neil Ryan Sese and Ruru Madrid. All films are set in the directors’ respective hometowns: Maryo in Bohol, Tikoy in Davao, Peque in Bacolod and Mel in Quezon.

The NFF will also feature a Masters’ Master Tribute to the late great Celso Ad. Castillo with the screening of his last film Bahay ng Lagim with the documentary The Gospel According to Celso Kid. The festival will also honor Lino Brocka and Manuel Conde by screening the restored versions of Brocka’s Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Conde’s Genghis Khan.