MANILA, Philippines - Joel Lamangan’s Kamkam (Greed) and Allen Dizon won Best Film and Best Actor for Magkakabaung (The Coffin Maker), respectively, at the ninth Harlem International Film Festival last Sept. 14 at the Maysles Cinema in New York.
Dubbed as The Original Filmmaker’s Festival, the Harlem Filmfest screened 92 films from over 20 countries.
Last year, Barbara Miguel won the Best Actress award for Nuwebe.
Kamkam is a study on the corrupting power of patriarchy, even among the poor, and how it destroys families and relationships. Produced by Ferdinand Lapuz and Heaven’s Best Entertainment Productions, the film stars Allen, Jean Garcia, Sunshine Dizon, Jackie Rice, Elizabeth Oropesa, Emilio Garcia, Joyce Ching, Rita de Guzman, Kerbie Zamora, Jim Pebanco, Lucho Ayala and Hiro Peralta. The film received a Grade A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board.
Magkakabaung, on the other hand, is the story of a neglectful father, Randy (played by Allen), who is haunted by guilt and remorse over the death of his eight-year-old daughter. Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana and produced by Lapuz, Dennis Evangelista, Romnick Sarmienta and Romeo Lindain for ATD Entertainment Productions, the film also stars Gladys Reyes, Emilio Garcia, Chanel Latorre, Bor Ocampo and Felixia Dizon.
Both films had their world premiere at the 38th Festival des Films du Monde de Montreal (Montreal World Film Festival) last month, with three screenings each.
— Reported by CELSO DE GUZMAN CAPARAS