Arts & Leisure
Posted on January 25, 2016 05:06:00 PM
By Nickky F. P. de Guzman, Reporter
Sinag Maynila Film Fest: pushing indie and going global
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THERE ARE more than nine film festivals in the country, said Solar Entertainment, Inc. President and Movie Producer Wilson Tieng, “but ours go abroad.” Sinag Maynila, the film fest he conceptualized may only be two years old, but it’s already going global.
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The festival’s first batch of movies, including Balut Country, Imbisibol, and Bambanti, were invited to have international screenings around the globe, from Sweden, Belgium, and Spain, to Qatar, China, and Japan. Bambanti, directed by Zig Dulay, bagged the Best Film award in the 2015 Festival International du Film de Bruxelles.
“We guide and help the first batch to get into festivals abroad... I think this is what separates us from other film festivals. Two among the five movies participated in an A-list festival, while four won [in the international festivals they joined.] It’s a good sign we hope to duplicate for this batch,” said film festival director Brillante Mendoza, who himself has been lauded internationally for his films including Serbis, Kinatay, and Taklub.
But more than the recognition in festivals here and abroad, Sinag Maynila aims for worldwide distribution of its films.
“It’s important to give our filmmakers the exposure. But what’s more important than joining and winning in film festivals abroad is to get distribution. A film’s journey doesn’t have to end in a week-long festival with only a selected audience. If it’s distributed, it will be shown in different platforms, and that’s how we get to be known abroad,” said the 2009 Cannes Best Director awardee, who’s currently working on another indie movie about small-time trafficking.
ON MMFF
As Sinag Maynila soars high and flies abroad, the most controversial and biggest moneymaking movie gathering in the country, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), on the other hand, is currently seeking amendments. Reports say Congress might revamp or create a new and better MMFF. The disqualification of the 2015 entry Honor Thy Fatherstarring John Lloyd Cruz and Meryll Soriano from the Best Picture category initiated the Congressional hearings.
“I think, in my opinion, every time there’s changes, it only means that the new one is better, it’s more progressive. There are changes kasi may nakitang hindi maganda(because there are things seen that were not good),” said Mr. Mendoza when asked his opinion in the recent MMFF controversy.
Mr. Tieng, a MMFF executive committee, meanwhile wanted to remain mum.
“I’ve been in the MMFF since 1988. Taon taon hindi maiiwasan na may issue kasi may nananalo, may natatalo, lalo na kung may cash prize... (The issues are inevitable, especially if there’s a cash prize involved, because it’s a competition, some win, some lose.) I think it’s already in the Congress and it’s up to them to decide. Being an execom (in the executive committee), dapat wala akong comment, (I should have no comment),” he said while laughing.
He added that the Philippine film festivals, after all, are fueled by different purposes.
“There are sets of objectives [among film fests]. Some are for box office hits, some are for fantasy... it’s a different genre with different motives. I think it’s impossible to put different movies in one film festival,” said Mr. Tieng.
But both film veterans expressed optimism for the local film festivals, especially for the growing number of Filipino artists who deserve platforms for their creative and original pursuits.
The second Sinag Maynila festival received 140 scripts but could only choose five to produce. Each entry received a grant of P2 million for production.
As the festival grows bigger, Mr. Mendoza said they’re looking forward to inviting international film directors.
FIVE FULL-LENGTH FILMS
The second Sinag Maynila is set to run from April 21 to 26 at select SM Cinemas. Here are the five full-length entries, all of which center on Filipino culture and social problems.
• Mrs.
Director: Adolf Alix, Jr.
A portrait of a woman and a mother and the sad realities of life in a circle of life and death. It stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Lotlot de Leon, Mark Herras, Rosanna Roces, and Anita Linda.
• T.P.O. (Temporary Protection Order)
Director: Joselito Altarejos
An abused wife filed a TPO against her abusive husband only to be caught in a web of red tape, neglect, and indifference. It stars Oliver Aquino, Mara Lopez, Micko Laurente, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Lui Manansala.
• Dyamper
Director: Mes de Guzman
Three friends jump into the back of rice delivery trucks every dawn to steal goods and sell them. But when one them accidentally finds drugs in one of the trucks, they suddenly find themselves in a mess when the owner hunts them down and, in exchange for letting them off the hook, gives them a mission. It stars Carlo Aquino, Alchris Galura, Tim Mabalot, Kristofer King, Liza Diño-Seguerra, and Debbie Garcia.
• Expressway
Director: Ato Bautista
A syndicate old-timer is nearing retirement, but the big boss sends him on one last mission, which turns into a journey of self-discovery and recovery. It stars Aljur Abrenica, Jim Libiran, Alvin Anson, Kiko Matos, Antoinette Reds, Japo Parcero, and Judith Javier.
• Lila
Director: Gino Santos
A spooky story of a young lady, who runs from her past and, when settling down in a new house, finds a diary from an old tenant. Soon, strange things happen and the diary’s words seemed to lead to a malevolent turn of events. It stars Janine Gutierrez, Enchong Dee, Sherry Alingod, and Migs Cuaderno.
For more information, visit Facebook (SinagMaynila), Twitter (@sinagmaynila), and Instagram (@sinagmaynila).
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