QCinema shows Quezon City is ready to be ‘creative hub for filmmaking’
The opening film in this year’s QCinema International Film Festival (QCIFF), Poor Things, topbilled by Emma Stone, has earned rave reviews from moviegoers who attended the event’s opening night at the Gateway Cineplex 10 in Araneta City on Friday.
Set in Victorian-era London, Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark sexy comedy revolves around the story of a resurrected woman (Stone as Bella Baxter) who embarks on a fantastical journey in reinventing herself.
The Golden Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival 2023 was the “perfect” opening film for QCIFF because it represented the festival’s concept of “self-discovery and liberation.”
Citing Poor Things’ “dark and edgy” themes, QCinema’s festival director Ed Lejano told The STAR that they are always open to this type of films that “pushes the envelope with liberal atmosphere.”
“Here at cinema, (we) love films in a way that an artificial intelligence (AI) will never understand,” remarked Lejano in his speech. “A film festival’s program is not an AI calculation that predicts your preferences. It is human, a human expression of passion for the arts and cinema. It functions on the understanding that there is great diversity in movies and that there is value to taking a risk in showing people something that might be completely new to them.”
The movie is a “fantastical and wild film shot in film that is like Frankenstein meets Barbie in a dark way, in a visually dazzling movie about self-discovery and ultimately self-liberation,” he said and added that Poor Things is Stone’s second collaboration with Lanthimos, “So watch out for her name in next year’s Oscars.”
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee described the film as “amazing and empowering.” He elaborated, “It goes in so many different directions but in the (end), it manages to be (as a) whole. Umikot siya. It went full circle.”
He was also pleased with the “happy ending.” Lee told this paper, “It has a heart. (Bella) is like a baby na bumalik sa creator niya. I was touched. It is also empowering because for a writer like me, it shows you that you can go anywhere.”
“You can go everywhere and yet tie it all up and make it one whole that’s engrossing. There was no moment na gusto mong tanggalin yung mata mo dun sa screen. Emma Stone is so brave and so good.”
QC Film Commission executive director Liza Diño, on the other hand, shared that Poor Things is a perfect opening film because it represents what QCinema is about. “It’s about discovery, liberation, it’s just being free to express ourselves. I feel the film was so unpredictable. It takes you to a ride and the audience, we have never experienced this kind of super full-house (opening night).”
Poor Things is such an impactful film that inspired Diño to act again. She said, “It’s like, oh my god, ang sarap ‘pag ganun. Yung parang napaka-free mo.”
The film also reminded her of a Jose Estrella play at the University of the Philippines where she was part of and had a frontal nudity scene there when she was 18.
Audiences can watch the last screening of Poor Things at Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 3 on Saturday (Nov. 25), 6:35 p.m.
Meanwhile, in her opening remarks, Diño highlighted how the film festival has “served as a very important platform and venue to bring together not only cinephiles but also the film-loving Filipino audiences in a shared love and appreciation for the best of world cinema.”
“We believe that it is time for us to showcase our homegrown talents and establish ourselves as a creative hub for filmmaking, a place where stories are told, emotions are stirred and dreams are realized. And tonight, we are blessed because we have so many filmmakers now, who share that same passion, that same pride for story-telling. And we’ve been doing it consistently for the past years and now we are bringing them to us here in Quezon City,” Diño stressed.
The 11th edition of QCinema has the theme “Elevated.” According to Diño, this means “we’re ready to be more edgy and really tell the world that QCinema is a festival that we should be part of. (We are also) part of the (team) na bumuo ng Southeast Asian (countries) for festivals championing global cinema.”
Apart from the impressive lineup of films in QCinema, she also mentioned other features of the event such as QCinema Project Market (QPM) and QCinema Young Film Critics Lab.
“(We’re) elevated in our filmmaking process, elevated in our ways on how we make films, elevated on how we conduct events and elevated on how we celebrate cinema and how we celebrate this festival,” she continued.
“As we embark on this journey, let us all remember that cinema has the power to inspire, heal and uplift. And it has the power to transport us to new worlds, to evoke emotions whenever thought possible. And to remind us of our shared humanity.”
Moreover, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed her gratitude for the important people and institutions that made the program possible. She also welcomed the support of QC’s First District Rep. and the vice chairperson of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts Arjo Atayde.
The actor cited in his speech how QC has “long been a haven for artists and arts” and commended the city’s leadership, under Belmonte, for its “steadfast support for arts, particularly the film industry.”
“Being part of the creative industry and as an actor, I understand (the) profound impact government support can have on our creative industry. The arts including the film are more than expressions of humanity. They are (a) powerful catalyst for social change, dialogue and understanding in art particularly, film transcends boundaries, ignites imaginations and reflects the essence of who we are as people,” he said.
“Leaving an indelible mark in our country and a collective identity, Quezon City with its factual rich history and vibrant spirit, has set a commendable example. Let us, artists, and government officials continue to work hand in hand in painting a canvas of a future where creativity flourishes, voices are heard and a cultural tapestry of our nation woven into threads of imagination, inspiration and innovation.”
He concluded his speech by thanking the QC government for its “unwavering commitments to the arts.”
Also present at the event was award-winning actress and Triangle of Sadness star Dolly de Leon, who stated that QCIFF is “very special” to her. Last year, she also graced the QCIFF where Cannes Palme d’Or-winning class satire Triangle of Sadness was screened as the opening film.
“Iba talaga ang relationship ko with QCinema. Because even before, this is the festival na pinakamarami akong trabaho. So, QCinema is very special to me. So to be here again in the opening (night) is really special for me. I love this festival.”
The awards night for QCShorts, QCSEA and Asian Next Wave will be held today at the Novotel Manila Araneta City. The QCIFF will run until Nov. 26 with Singapore’s entry to the 2024 Academy Awards, The Breaking Ice by Anthony Chen, as the closing film. Various films are currently shown at Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Shangri-la Plaza, and Power Plant Mall cinemas. Tickets are priced at P300 and P250 (for students and Quezon City citizens holding an ID).
For QCIFF’s full list of films and schedules, visit www.qcinema.ph.
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