MANILA, Philippines - In celebration of Película, the 11th Spanish Film Festival, Instituto Cervantes presents Encuentros en el cine where renowned Spanish director Alberto Rodríguez makes the Philippine premier of his work at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas in Makati City.
Rodríguez, considered to be one of the most widely-known filmmakers in Spain, will present his latest full feature film, the gritty realistic thriller Grupo 7 (Unit 7) in Manila and will be participating in a discussion with the audience after the screening of the film. He is scheduled to appear at the Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2 today at 7 p.m.
One of the highlights in this year’s film festival, Encuentros en el cine celebrates and showcases the latest works by Spanish and Latin American filmmakers, exploring themes and issues prevalent to the Hispanic community.
After making his feature debut co-directing The Pilgrim Factor in 2000, Rodriguez shot his first solo feature film The Suit in 2002, followed by 2005’s critically acclaimed 7 Virgins, which premiered in the San Sebastian Film Festival and which received many positive reviews, ultimately garnering 6 nominations for the Goya Awards. His next film, After, was nominated for three Goyas.
Grupo 7, which has made it to Spain’s three-pic shortlist for its foreign-language Oscar candidate this year, is about a group of cops who break all the rules to clean up Spain’s ghettos in the 80’s. Set in the years preceding the Seville World Exposition of 1992, the story reflects the actual events, starting in 1987, in which Seville frantically began preparation for the world stage of Expo ’92.
The film stars veteran Spanish actor Antonio de la Torre and Spanish heartthrob Mario Casas.
Película, the Spanish and Latin American Film Festival is part of the month-long celebrations known as Fiesta, the Spanish Festival for Culture and the Arts. It is organized by the Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish Cultural Center in Manila, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID), Film Development Council of the Philippines, Greenbelt, Ayala Malls Cinemas, San Miguel Corporation, Sony, and Manila Contemporary. And with the support of Alba, Espa-Fil, Qatar Airways, Indra, Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Picasso Boutique Hotel and Centunion.
For information, call 526 1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.