This year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival will open with the film Babae Sa Breakwater directed by the Mario O’hara. It is a tribute to the director who has done much for Philippine cinema. Two years ago, Mario participated in the Directors Showcase with Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio which I produced. The opening film Babae Sa Breakwater will be screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) tomorrow, July 20, 7:30 p.m. Mario died last June 26.
Babae Sa Breakwater tells of the life of Manila’s scavengers who make the breakwater along Roxas Blvd. their home. The film features Gardo Versoza, Amy Austria, Lou Veloso, Lucita Soriano, Alchris Galura, Jonard Lomangaya and Ian Valdez and introduces its two lead stars Katherine Luna and Kristoffer King. It was produced by Entertainment Warehouse, Inc.
Babae sa Breakwater was invited for screening at the Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. It was a big feat for local films which have not the chance to be screened at Cannes since Lino Brocka’s Insiang. Other films of Mario that will be screened as either screenwriter, actor or director are Tubog sa Ginto, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Insiang and Tatlo Dalawa Isa.
Cinemalaya has become an agora for indie films. It has also been the avenue for aspiring and future filmmakers. CCP president Cris Millado in his remarks during the press conference to announce the festival said, “After eight years of producing and presenting excellent and engaging films, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is the leader among indie film festivals and has inspired the creation of other festivals that encourage the new voices, new ways of telling stories. Cinemalaya has left an indelible mark in the landscape of Philippine Cinema and continues to do so year after year. Cinemalaya is unstoppable. It has taken wing and with your continued support moves Full Force into the future.”
He also cited some achievements of films from Cinemalaya. “Cinemalaya films have won, and even dominated in both local and international festivals this year — exemplifying the remarkable achievements of Cinemalaya and its brood of directors, producers, actors and filmmakers. Loy Arcenas’ Niño won Best Film at the Busan International Film Festival, Korea. It also earned for Shamaine Centenera, the Best Supporting Actress in Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong and recently the Best Actor for Art Acuña in the Gawad Urian. Marlon Rivera’s Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank won People’s Choice Awards for Eugene Domingo at the Asian Film festival in Hong Kong and cited in several other film festivals. Alvin Yapan’s Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa swept seven major Gawad Urian awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Eduardo Roy’s Bahay Bata won a special citation at the Vancouver International Film Festival and Best First Time Director at the Las Palmas Film Festival. Cuchera and Amok won awards in international film festivals. Most of the Cinemalaya films were awarded various prizes in the Golden Screen Awards, Gawad Urian and Young Critics Circle,” Cris added.
Cinemalaya will run from July 20 to 29 at the CCP and July 21 to 29 at Greenbelt and Trinoma. Twenty-five new digital films will compete starting tomorrow, July 20 to 29 at the CCP, Greenbelt 3, Makati City and Trinoma, Quezon City. Cinemalaya will feature about 60 films on exhibition with 25 in competition. This year, highlights will include a retrospective of vintage and rare Filipino film ads in the collection of art patron Danny Dolor. The Cinemalaya Film Congress is a major part of the festival. This year also features guest resource person Ralph Guggenheim of Pixar Studios.
Here is the list of what audiences can expect from this year’s Cinemalaya. Finalists in the New Breed Full-length Feature category are Aparisyon by Vincent Sandoval; Ang Katiwala by Aloy Adlawan; Ang Nawawala by Marietta Jamora; Mga Dayo by Julius Sotomayor Cena; Diablo by Mes de Guzman; Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino by Lemuel Lorca; Oros by Paul Sta. Ana; REquieme! by Arcenas; Santa Nina by Emmanuel Quindo Palo; and The Animals by Gino Santos.
In the Director’s Showcase, the films and the directors are Bwakaw by Jun Robles Lana; Kalayaan (Wildlife) by Adolfo Alix Jr.; Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets) by Jose Javier Reyes; Posas (Shackled) by Lawrence Fajardo; and Kamera Obskura by Raymond Red.
For the Short Film category: Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo; As He Sleeps by Sheron Dayoc; Balintuna by Emmanuel Escalona Jr.; Bohe Sons of the Waves by Nadjoua Bansil; Manenaya by Richard Legaspi; Pasahero by Mario Celada; Ruweda by Hannah Espia; Sarong Aldaw by Marianito Dio Jr.; Ulian (Senility) by Chuck Gutierrez; and Victor by Jarell Serencio.
For details, call CCP Film Office at 832-1125 local 1704/05 and the CCP box office at 832-3704 or visit www.cinemalaya.org and www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.