Russians paint Phl scenes / Great directors, actors in Italian Film Festival

The following letter of Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor G. Garcia to Cecile Guidote Alvarez is an assurance of the imminent success of the visit of 13 Russian artists who are now painting and subsequently displaying Philippine scenic spots, and of the ensuing dialogue between them and our own artists.

Moscow,

September 14, 2011

Dear Mrs. Alvarez,

I wish to express my gratitude for the valuable assistance you are extending regarding the visit of the Russian Bureau of Creative Expeditions, headed by Mr. Vladimir Anisimov, distinguished Russian artist, to the Philippines.

In order for this project to materialize, I would like to endorse you as President of the Philippine Center of ITI and Director of the UNESCO Dream Center, to take the lead in this endeavor with the cooperation and support of the Office of European Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy in Manila.

We share the same view that this is a project worth pursuing in our continued and tireless effort to promote the Philippines and that it would bring to the fore the beauty and depth of the various places in our country as seen from the eyes of Russian artists. It is also timely to hold this project this year considering that it is the 35th anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Russia.

In this regard, as I understand that the Russian Embassy is very supportive of this initiative, I suggest that you coordinate with them as soon as possible. The Embassy has been in touch with Mr. Anisimov and he informed us that his group is scheduled to arrive in the Philippines in the middle of October.

Again, I wish to thank you for your cooperation and I look forward to the successful outcome of this project.

With my warmest regards,

Victor G. Garcia III

Ambassador

The oldest of the Russian artists is Mr. Vladimir Pereyaslavets, the youngest is 21- year -old Mr. Georgy Kozhanov. An exhibit of the Russian painters is on display at Manila Hotel where they are billeted through the patronage of Emilio Yap.

The team was in Bohol hosted by Governor Edgar Chatto coordinated through Cultural Officer Ms. Equet Butalid, proceeded to Cebu, Oct. 21-24 hosted by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia coordinated through Consul Armi Garcia; Dapitan, on Oct. 24-27 at Dakak Resorts hosted by Mayor Dominador Jalosjos Jr. coordinated through Heritage Committee head Vice Mayor Patri B. Chan; Baler, Oct. 26 hosted by Sen. Angara with Governor Bellaflor Angara Castillo; Bilibid Prison, assisted by Assistant Solicitor General Karl Miranda, Oct. 30; Angono, Oct. 31 hosted by Mayor Gerry Calderon and May 1-2, Villa Escudero and Tagaytay-Batangas.

The other artists are Viktoriya Faykova, Olga Yausheva, Rustam Yaushev, Vitali Popov, Iuli Petrov, Ludmila Yuga, Georgy Poplavsky, Nikolai Pogorelov, Ksenia Rzheshevskaya and Valentina Chumakova.

“Moviemov: Italian Cinema Now” will be shown at Greenbelt 3 from Nov. 9 to 13, primarily under the sponsorship of the Italian Embassy headed by Ambassador Luca Fornari, with the cooperation of Rustan.

The Italian Film Festival, a grand event, is the first of its kind in the Philippines. The films, with English subtitles, will be shown free of charge.

Workshops by famous horror film director Dario Argento and award-winning composer Franco Piersanti will be conducted and these will definitely draw in hundreds of students of film or film enthusiasts.

The festival is envisioned to become like the prestigious Venice and Cannes Film Festivals. The opening of Moviemov will be highlighted by the Red Carpet Evening on November 9 at Greenbelt 5, Fashion Walk. Important Italian actors, directors and producers such as Dario Argento, Asia Argento, Lina Sastri, Ennio Fantastichini, Gianni Paolucci, Daniele Cipri, Alice Rohrwacher, Camilla Nesbitt, Claudio Cupellini, Carlo Macchitella, Franco Piersanti, and Luciano Sovena will be arriving with representatives of Asiatic Film Mediale, headed by Senator Goffredo Bettini and Italo Spinelli. Filipino movie stars will also be joining the Red Carpet evening organized by popular Filipino actor Albert Martinez.

Schedule of films: Habemus Papam, Nov. 9, 8 p.m., Cinema 5/Mine Vaganti, Nov. 10, 5 p.m., Cinema 5/Passione, Nov. 10, 9 p.m., Cinema 5/Ina Vita Tranquila, Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m., Cinema 6/Che bella giornata, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m., Cinema 3/Vincere, Nov. 11, 8:30 p.m. Cinema 5/Corpo Celeste, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., Cinema 5.

Tribute to award-winning Bernardo Bertolucci; Il Conformista, Nov. 10, 9:30 p.m., Cinema 3/Ultimo Tango a Parigi, Nov. 11, 9 p.m., Cinema 3/L’ultimo imperatore, Nov. 12, 9:30 p.m., Cinema 3/The Dreamers, Nov. 13, 9:30 p.m., Cinema 3.

Tribute to horror film director Dario Argento: Suspiria, Nov. 11, 4 p.m., Cinema 5/Profondo rosso, Nov. 13, 5 p.m., Cinema 5/Dracula 3D, Nov. 9, 10 p.m., Cinema 4.

Tribute to Filipino director Brillante Mendoza: Serbis, Nov. 9, 8:30 p.m., Cinema 3/Lola, Nov. 12, 4 p.m., Cinema 5/Kinatay, Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m. Cinema 3.