Musique en Scene

MANILA, Philippines - This year, premier student film organization University of the Philippines’ Cineastes Studio (UP Cineastes) celebrated their fifth annual video competition Haute Auteur by gathering silent film entries from filmmakers and film enthusiasts all over the country.

The aim of the competition was not only to showcase Filipino talent or celebrate local cinema, but also to gather some of the most talented artists in the local scene. And they did just that last March 8, when film and music enthusiasts came together at hip bar 70’s Bistro for Musique en Scene, the awards night for the competition.

It was the ultimate treat for the senses as the silent films were simultaneously screened and scored live by bands. Nikolas Red’s Halimaw was scored by Halik ni Gringo. Robyn Apigo, Diana David and Madeleine Fortuny’s Boses was scored by People’s Future. Miles Villanueva’s Beast was scored by Identikit. This year’s winning film, Jethro Jamon’s Solipsism Variations, was scored by Nights of Rizal. In line with the competition’s theme Feast Against the Beast — Triumph of the Multitude, each entry depicted a different perspective on current society’s oppressive forces. Haute Auteur, after all, is about “uplifting the spirits of the Filipino people and reaching out to let them know that they are not alone, that we are one with them as we celebrate and feast against the beast,” says festival director Steven Evangelisto.

And as if the scored screenings weren’t enough sensual feast, UP Cineastes even invited some of the coolest bands to play the night away. Cinephiles, enthusiasts, students and professionals—even alternative cinema pillar Kidlat Tahimik was there!—danced to the music of Col. Kernel, Keisuke, Ourselves the Elves, Jejaview, and Session Road.