The Manila Times

Cinemalaya opens today ‘in real life’

BY IZA IGLESIAS edited by Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.

AFTER two consecutive years relegated to online streaming due to the pandemic, the 18th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival returns today, happy to present “IRL (IN-REAL-LIFE) SCREENINGS” AGAIN. Officially running until August 14, an exciting lineup of movies is scheduled at various Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) venues and select partner cinemas.

For movie philes eager to experience Cinemalya IRL once more, The Manila Times Entertainment breaks down what they need to know before hitting the 18th edition of the country’s premiere independent movie festival.

FULL-LENGTH FILMS. This year’s Cinemalaya has 11 full-length films in competition. Vying for the coveted Balanghai trophies, these are “12 Weeks” by Anna Isabelle Matutina; “Angkas” by Rain Yamson; “Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin?” by Real Florido; “Batsoy” by Ronald Espinosa Batallones; “Blue Room” by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan; “Bula Sa Langit” by Sheenly Gener; “Ginhawa” by Christian Paolo Lat; “Kaluskos” by Roman S. Perez, Jr.; “Kargo” by TM Malones; “Retirada” by Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz-Paz; and “The Baseball Player” by Carlo Obispo.

Short films. The selection committee, composed of Teddy Co, Joel Ruiz, Manet Dayrit, Lee Briones, and Martika Escobar, was responsible for choosing 12 finalists out of a staggering 199 entries submitted to the Short Film category. These are “Ampangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol (It’s Raining Frogs Outside)” by Maria Estela Paiso; “Black Rainbow” by Zig Dulay; “City of Flowers” by Xeph Suarez; “Dikit” by Gabriela Serrano; “Distance” by Dexter Paul de Jesus; “Duwa-Duwa” by Nena Jane Achacoso; “Mga Handum Nga Nasulat Sa Baras (The Dreams That Are Written in the Sand)” by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico; “Mata Kang Busay (Vision of the Falls)” by Nino Maldecir and Cyphor John Gayorgor; “Kwits” by Raz de la Torre; “Roundtrip to Happiness” by Claudia Fernando; “See You, George!” by Mark Moneda; and “Si Oddie” by Maria Kydylee Torato.

The best short feature film emerging from this meticulously selected batch will receive a cash prize of P150,000 and a Balanghai trophy during the Cinemalaya Awards Night on August 14 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

OPENING FILM. This year’s Sundance Film Festival Jury Award winner for Spirit of Innovation, “Leonor Will Never Die (Ang Pagbabalik ng Kwago),” deserves the honor of opening Cinemalya 2022. Directed by Martika Ramirez Escobar – a Cinemalaya 2020 and 2015 awardee, it stars Sheila Francisco as Leonor, Bong Cabrera as Rudie, Rocky Salumbides as Ronwaldo, and Anthony Falcon. The red carpet screening and official opening program of Cinemalaya are happening at 6 o’clock tonight at the CCP Main Theater.

Retrospective Shorts. Cinemalaya will unveil the Retrospective Shorts section on August 7 Tanghalang Manuel Conde, with additional screening dates on August 9, 10 and 12. The retrospectives allow audiences the chance to rewatch Cinemalaya’s 16th (2020) and 17th (2021) editions on the big screen. Some of the titles are “Tokwifi” (Star) by Carla Pulido Ocampo, “Pabasa Kan Pasyon” by Hubert Tibi, and “Quing Lalam Ning Aldo (Under The Sun)” by Reeden Fajardo, slated on August 7 and 9.

34th Gawad Alternatibo. Gawad Alternatibo will continue to showcase this year’s finalists at the newly launched CCP Arthouse Cinema or Tanghalang Manuel Conde (TMC) from August 6 to 14.

Under the theme, “GIYA – Tahakin at panoorin ang mga pelikulang giya ng ating panahon,” cinemalaya hopes to highlight cinema’s ability to guide people in navigating endless changes in real life.

“Memory and history have blind spots,” read the program notes. “The ineffable escapes and defies language. But film, where shadows lurk and tease darkness and light, will provide us the lens to sift through contradictions, will mark the limits of chaos, and serve as a beacon of a nation’s becoming.”

The 34th Gawad Alternatibo involves four major categories: Animation, Documentary, Experimental, and Short Feature.

Talkback sessions. The festival will also resume with face-to-face “talkback sessions” with directors of the films in competition. Slated from August 3 to 13, this activity provides a valuable opportunity for audiences to acquire deeper insights into the titles they choose to watch.

Book launches. CCP and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. will hold several book launches throughout the festival. Among these are Alternative Cinema: The Unchronicled History of Alternative Cinema in the Philippines by Nick Deocampo; Philippine Cinema 1897-2022 by Gaspar Vibal and Dennis Villegas; Mga Screenplay ni Ricky Lee Volumes 1 and 2 by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee; Ang Daigdig ng mga Api: Remembering a Lost Film, a collaboration between Clodualdo del Mundo Jr. And Dik Trofeo; and Riding the Waves: 15 Years of Cinemalaya

Entertainment & Lifestyle

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2022-08-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

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The Manila Times