The 2008 Cinemanila International Film Festival

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The 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival runs from October 16-29 at Gateway Cineplex 10, Araneta Center. Aptly so, the biggest draw this edition are the films themselves. Cinemanila has put together an impressive line-up that boasts of the toast of Cannes, the much heralded in Venice and the grand winners from some of the major international film festivals. The best films from over 35 countries all over the world are also in full force.

Opening the festival is Sparrow, the latest offering from Hong Kong’s master of cult Johnny To. The film premiered at the recent Berlin Film Festival where it was also selected in competition.

In the International Category, Lav Diaz’s winning opus at Venice’s Orrizonti section, Melancholia, competes for the Brocka Award with other critically praised films from Australia (Lucky Miles), Israel (Band’s Visit), Iran (Night Bus), Iceland/USA/Philippines (Truth About Queen Raquela), Japan (United Red Army) and even Russia (Vanished Empire).

The Southeast Asia Competition is likewise as tough. The Philippines’ Adela and Confessional have to face off with the likes of Indonesia’s Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly. The latter is incidentally the winner of last year’s Boracay Co-production Meeting. Also in the running are choice picks from Malaysia (Flower in the Pocket), Thailand (Love of Siam), Singapore (12 Lotus) and Indonesia (The Photograph).

Perhaps the crowning jewel of this year’s festival, the Tribute to Quinzaine des Réalisateurs Section features films that have been given the honor to be screened at the Directors’ Fortnight of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Da Huang Pictures is also given the spotlight in recognition of its major contributions to the development of independent filmmaking in Malaysia. To be screened are some selected works from the group’s esteemed roster of talents like Tan Chui Mui and James Lee.

On the other hand, Cinemanila pays tribute to Australia in the Dreams From Down Under section. To look out for is the engaging Lucky Miles starring Fil-Am sensation Kenneth Moraleda. Moraleda earlier starred with Cesar Montano in Miramax’s The Great Raid.

This year, earning the honor of being Director in Focus is Brillante Mendoza whose string of award-winning films ushered in a renaissance in local filmmaking. A retrospective of his films will be presented as a special part of the festival.

Always a highlight in every edition of Cinemanila, this year’s Digital Lokal prides itself with entries from six of the most recognized names in Filipino digital filmmaking Raya Martin, Ato Bautista, Briccio Santos, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, CJ Andaluz and Paolo Herras. And speaking of local filmmaking, the next wave of Filipino filmmakers is recognized at the Young Cinema Section where nine short films will vie for the Ishmael Bernal Prize.

Closing the festival is the immortal classic Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim by the great Lino Brocka. Aside from the films in competition, almost a hundred films will be in exhibition showcasing the best of world cinema. Documentaries will also be presented as well as master classes that will be conducted by only the very best in the industry.

Dekada Cinemanila will run from October 16-29 at Gateway Cineplex 10, Araneta Center, Quezon City. It is presented by the Independent Cinema Association of the Philippines (ICAP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). And is supported by Gateway Cineplex 10, the Official Festival Venue, Screen Australia and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Philippine Airlines.

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DEKADA CINEMANILA
Oct. 16-29, 2008
Gateway Cineplex 10
Araneta Center

SCREENING SCHEDULE OCT. 17 - 21

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

Cinema 1
6:00 p m West 32nd (Korea)
8:30 pm Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone (Japan)

Cinema 2
1:00 pm You, the Living (Sweden)
3:00 pm Sparrow (Hong Kong)
5:00 pm Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan)
7:30 pm I’m a Cyborg but that’s OK (South Korea)
9:30 pm Love of Siam (Thailand) SEA Competition

Cinema 4
12:00 pm 12 Lotus (Singapore) SEA Competition
2:30 pm The Band's Visit (Israel) Main Competition
4:30 pm Noise (Australia)
6:30 pm California Dreamin’ (Romania)

Cinema 7
12:30 pm Shahida: Brides of Allah (Israel) Docs in Competition
2:00 pm Dreams from the Third World (Singapore)
4:00 pm Sita Sings the Blues (USA)

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008

Cinema 1
Digital Lokal Competition Films
6:30 pm Ala Pobre Ala Suerte (Briccio Santos)
9:00 pm Sisa (CJ Andaluz)

Cinema 2
12:30 pm Confessional (Philippines) SEA Competition
2:00 pm Invisible City (Singapore) (Q&A with director)
3:30 pm United Red Army (Japan) Main Competition
7:00 pm Love of Siam (Thailand) SEA Competition

Cinema 4
12:00 pm 10 Canoes (Australia) Part of 6th Australian Film Festival
2:00 pm Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan)
5:00 pm Evangelion 1.0: You are Not Alone (Japan)

Cinema 5
Young Cinema Night: Shorts in Competition (7:00 pm)
Amihan (Joanna Vasquez Arong)
Bunot (Ivy Universe Baldoza)
Esbat (Carlo Obispo)
Frou Frou… Shh, Wag Mo Sabihin Kay Itay (Michael Juat)
Inday Wanda (Nelson Caliguia Jr.)
Kalawang na Ginto (Vic Acedillo Jr.)
Kamera (Mikhail Red)
Surreal Randon MMS Texts Para Ed Ina, Agui, Tan Kaamong Ya Makaiiliw Ed Sika: Gurgurlis Ed Banua (Christopher Gozum)
Tumbang Preso (Antoinette Jadaone)
Undertakers (Emmanuel Quindo Palo)


Cinema 7
1:00 pm Vanished Empire (Russia) Main Competition
3:00 pm Sparrow (Hong Kong)
5:00 pm Noise (Australia)
7:00 pm I'm A Cyborg But That's OK (South Korea)
9:00 pm Night Bus (Iran) Main Competition

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Cinema 1
Digital Lokal Competition Films
6:30 pm Ang Manghuhula (Paolo Herras)
9:00 pm Carnivore (Ato Bautista)

Cinema 2
12:00 pm Storm Boy (Australia) Part of 6th Australian Film Festival
2:00 pm Sukiyaki Western Django (Japan)
4:30 pm 4 Minutes (Germany)
7:00 pm Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly (Q&A with director) SEA
Competition
9:00 pm West 32nd (South Korea)

Cinema 4
12:00 pm The Photograph (Indonesia) SEA Competition
2:00 pm It’s A Free World (UK)
4:00 pm Youth Without Youth (USA)
6:30 pm Lucky Miles (Q*A with director and actor) (Australia) Main
Competition
9:30 pm Diving Bell & the Butterfly by Julian Schnabel (France)

Cinema 7
1:00 pm Sita Sings the Blues (USA)
3:00 pm Adela (Philippines) SEA Competition
5:30 pm PVC 1 (Colombia)



Monday, October 20, 2008

Cinema 1
12:30pm With A Girl of Black Soil (South Korea)
2:30 pm Boxing Day (Australia)
4:30 pm Shahida - Brides Of Allah (Israel)
6:30 pm Be Like Others (Iran)
8:30 pm The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela
(Iceland/Philippines/France/Thailand) Main Competition

Cinema 2
1:00 pm Sparrow (Hong Kong)
3:00 pm Diving Bell & the Butterfly (France)
5:30 pm Night Bus (Iran) Main Competition
7:30 pm Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone (Japan)
9:30 pm I'm A Cyborg But That's OK (South Korea)

Cinema 4
12:00 pm Love Of Siam (Thailand) SEA Competition
3:00 pm The Mirror (Russia)
5:00 pm Not Quite Hollywood (Australia)
7:00 pm Susuk (Malaysia)
9:00 pm It’s A Free World by Ken Loach (UK)

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Cinema 1
Digital Lokal Competition Films
7:00PM Next Attraction (Raya Martin)
9:00 pm Imburnal (Sherad Anthony Sanchez)

Cinema 2
12:00 pm California Dreamin' (Romania)
3:00 pm God Man Dog (Taiwan)
5:00 pm Noise (Australia)
7:00 pm Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France)
9:30 pm Youth Without Youth by Francis Ford Coppola (USA)

Cinema 4

11:30 pm The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela Main
Competition
2:00 -5:00 pm Master Class In Script Writing (Bing Lao)

Cinema 7
1:00 pm Vanished Empire (Russia) Main Competition
3:00 pm West 32nd (Korea/USA)
5:00 pm The Photograph (Indonesia) SEA Competition
7:00 pm Noise (Australia)
9:00 pm The Bands Visit (Israel) Main Competition


MASTER CLASSES

Tuesday, Oct. 21 Scriptwriting Master Class with Bing Lao
2:00 – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 22 SEA Indie Filmmaking: With Lav Diaz (Philippines),
2:00 – 5:00 pm Amir Muhammad (Malaysia) and Raymond Red
(Philippines)

Thursday, Oct. 23 Cinematography Master Class
2:00 – 5:00 pm

Monday, Oct. 27 Editing Master Class with Miranamedina
2:00 – 5:00 pm

OTHER EVENTS

Saturday, October 25 Young Cinema Night II: Shorts in Exhibition
7:00 – 9:00 pm

#cafe (Leo Valencia)
Bulong (Pedro Valdes)
Pass (Vicente Garcia Groyon)
Walong Linggo (Ana Isabelle Matutina)
Trails of Water (Sheron Dayoc)
Pagtakas sa Kawalan (Richard Soriano Legaspi)


NOTE: SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.