CINEMALAYA 2014 Opening Night - 01 August 2014

The themes and subject matter of the 2014 Cinemalaya finalists are diverse. Stories include the disappearance of a young girl believed to have been eaten by a crocodile in the marshlands of Agusan del Norte, a friendship among soldiers fighting the Japanese in World War II, and a T’boli epic. The films cover a range of genres, from coming of age stories, romance, epic, comedy and action.

- INQUIRER.net

Cinemalaya is an all-digital film festival and competition that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers. In addition to New Breed category, which is the main competition category, and the Directors Showcase, Cinemalaya has a Short Film competition and other sections for exhibition films. Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation and Cultural Center of the Philippines.

- INQUIRER.net

New Breed Full Length Feature category : 10 Films in Competition

1. “#Y” by Gino Santos

2. “1st ko si 3^rd” by Real S. Florido

3. “Bwaya” by Francis X.E. Pasion

4. “Dagitab (Sparks)” by Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V

5. “Children's Show” by Roderick Cabrido

6. “K’na, The Dreamweaver” by Ida Anita Del Mundo

7. “ Mariquina” by Milo Sogueco

8. “Ronda” by Nick Olanka

9. “Separados” by GB Sampedro

10. “Sundalong Kanin” by Denise O’Hara/Janice O’Hara

Directors Showcase: 5 Films in Competition

1. “Asintado” by Louie Ignacio

2. “Hari ng Tondo” by Carlos Siguion-Reyna/Bibeth Orteza

3. “Hustisya” by Joel Lamangan

4. “The Janitor” by Michael Tuviera

5. “Kasal” by Joselito Altarejos

Arnold Reyes stars in Jay Alterejos' `KASAL'

 

Ruby Ruiz appears in `Mariquina' and `Kasal', also with Christine Florendo

Mara Lopez and Linda Villalobos, with Direk Ida Anita Del Mundo, for "K'na The Dreamweaver"

With actors Ruby Ruiz and Sandino Martin

Oliver Aquino stars in Jay Alterejos' `KASAL'

Direk Jay Alterejos of `KASAL'

Anja Peter

Friends Christine Florendo and Ernest Gatpandan III

Jun Sabayton (Blue Bustamante 2013)

The Cinemalaya 2014 Board, with Laurice Guillen, TonuBoy Cojuangco, Nes Jardin, Chris Millado

Louie Ignacio, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Joel Lamangan

Michael Tuviera and Joselito Altarejos

Gino Santos, Real S. Florido, Francis X.E. Pasion, Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V, Roderick Cabrido, Ida Anita Del Mundo, Milo Sogueco, Nick Olanka, GB Sampedro, Denise O’Hara/Janice O’Hara

Ballet number, including rubber strips held by Cinemalaya volunteers to form `X’es over the audience, signifying Cinemalaya’s 10^thyear Anniversary.

Christine, VJ Mendoza, and me

 From RAPPLER.com :

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a local film competition that showcases cinematic works from established and upcoming Filipino filmmakers. While the same can be said about the Metro Manila Film Festival, the fact that the Cinemalaya Film Festival is “independent” allows filmmakers to produce films that wouldn’t otherwise have been made through the traditional studio system.  

For anyone interested in supporting local cinema, Cinemalaya is a must-experience event. The festival has been a great source for some of the best local films of the last decade while acting as an annual reminder that Philippine cinema is far from dead. The festival, billed Cinemalaya X this year, is currently on its tenth year and is gearing up to be bigger than ever.

Films to see, what to watch

There are more than fifty films showing at the Cinemalaya Film Festival, with most screenings being held at the CCP. These films cover everything from documentaries, short films to full length narratives. But the festival’s highlight is the fifteen films in competition.

The films in competition are divided into two categories: the Director’s Showcase and the New Breed category. The Director’s Showcase is composed of 5 films made by established directors who have already directed a number of independent or commercial films. The New Breed category is reserved for 10 new or up-and-coming filmmakers who have little or no feature length directing experience.

For a rundown of the fifteen films in competition along with their descriptions, trailers, and reasons to watch each of them, click here.

When and where to watch

The CCP provides printed versions of the full festival schedule for free. But Cinemalaya isn’t simply limited to the CCP. It has since partnered up with cinemas all across Metro Manila to help expose audiences to films from the festival. Here is a list of theaters that will be showing films from Cinemalaya.

CCP: Main Theater, Little Theater, Dream Theater, MKP Hall, Studio Theater
Alabang Town Center: Cinema 4
Greenbelt: Cinema 3,Cinema 4, Cinema 5
Fairview Terraces: Cinema 5
Trinoma: Cinema 1, Cinema 2, Cinema 4

For a full schedule of the films in competition, click here.

Make the most out of your Cinemalaya experience

Cinemalaya films have only risen in demand over the years, and though the number of theaters showing the films has increased, the festival is still only from August 1-10. So the best way to make the most out of your Cinemalaya experience is to prepare early.

Don’t come to a theater 10 minutes before screening and still expect to have a ticket ready for purchase. Plan ahead. Make reservations ahead of time and plan out what films you want to watch.

How much, where to buy tickets

Cinemalaya tickets to the CCP screenings can be purchased at various CCP ticket booths for the following prices:

P150.00 (single, regular screening)
P200.00 (single, MKP Hall screening)*

Purchases can also be made online through TicketWorld.

However, tickets to screenings at any of the partner malls are subject to change in pricing and can only be bought via the mall’s own ticket outlets. They can also be bought their own respective online reservation services.

*Prices for the MKP Hall are more expensive due to the limited number of seats available.

Discounts?

A variety of discounts are available for those with the appropriate credentials. But passes are also available for those who looking to spend entire days at the festival. As per the Cinemalaya website, the discounts and passes are as follows:

• 50% Discount for Students*
• 20% Discount for Senior Citizens and PWD*
• 20% Discount for Government and Military Personnel*

*Discounts are only available to those with valid I.Ds.

Passes you can purchase

Festival (All Access) Pass: P3,500.00
Festival Pass grants admission to all festival screenings at CCP Venues (not valid in Ayala Cinemas) via the priority lane. This pass is non-transferrable.

Films-in-Competition (FIC) Pass: P2,500.00
The FIC Pass grants admission to all in-competition films at CCP venues (not valid in Ayala Cinemas) via the priority lane. This pass is non-transferrable.

One Day Pass (4 screenings): P500.00
Admission to four screenings during a single day at any CCP venue (valid on the date of purchase).

One Day Pass (5 screenings): P700.00
Admission to four screenings during a single day at any CCP venue (valid on the date of purchase).

But the film I want to watch is sold out! What do I do?

If the film you were planning to see just happens to be sold out, simply make reservations for the next available screening (which could possibly be on a different day). But as mentioned earlier, there are more than 50 films being screened at the CCP.

Although a majority of them are not films in competition, each one of the films at CCP is a quality selection curated from previous years, various award giving bodies, or other local film festivals. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your intended schedule. If a non-competition film is being shown, it’s probably for good reason.

Support the films you like

The filmmakers appreciate praise for all their hard work, but they also need help spreading the word. Feel free to let your friends and family know about the films you liked through social media. Here are just some of the possible hashtags you can include when supporting your favorite films on Twitter and Facebook:

• #Cinemalaya
• #CinemalayaX
• #Cinemalaya2014

Don’t forget to hashtag the title of your favorite films.

But you can also support your favorite films by voting for them for the Audience Choice Award. Cinemalaya hands out an Audience Choice Award every year and it is the only category that can be voted on by the audience.

Audiences are given the opportunity to drop their ticket stubs at designated drop boxes outside each of the CCP theaters after every screening. Each ticket stub serves as a vote for the film for the Audience Choice Award. This is only valid in CCP screenings, however, so hold on to your ticket stubs and don’t forget to vote for your favorite films.

Where else to watch the films

Unfortunately, Cinemalaya is a yearly event, with a limited number of days. Some films get reruns in the following years, but screenings will most definitely be limited, and aren’t always a guarantee. However, here are some ways you can catch additional screenings after the festival:

Wide theatrical release

Some of the films are fortunate enough to acquire a wide theatrical release either in SM, Robinsons or Ayala Theaters. This isn’t always the case, but if they do manage a theatrical release, it will most certainly be only for a couple of days.

Cinemalaya goes to UP

Every year, the films from Cinemalaya are brought to U.P Diliman where they are shown at the U.P Cine Adarna. This is only a single theater, with the films only getting a single screening (two, if they happen to be some of the few award winning films to come out of the festival), so make sure you reserve tickets as soon as the schedule is announced once the Cinemalaya Film Festival is over.

Independent screenings

Filmmakers often organize their own independent screenings to recoup the costs of production. These can be held in schools, boutique theaters, specialty stores or even malls. However, these independent screenings are sparse and aren’t well advertised. To get the latest updates on screenings, follow the filmmakers on social media.

But all these alternative screenings are never a sure thing. If you really want to see a film, it’s best that you make the effort and reserve yourself a ticket. Happy viewing, and we’ll see you at the festival. – Rappler.com


Rappler's movie reviewer Zig Marasigan rounds up the entries from Cinemalaya 2014

It’s been ten years since Cinemalaya first opened its doors to a brand new generation of filmmakers. But despite all the scandal and controversy over the years, the festival still holds up as one of the best venues to find new and exciting Filipino films from the independent scene.

This year, 15 filmmakers have been given the opportunity to tell their stories. Let's look at each one:

DIRECTORS SHOWCASE

Asintado

Director: Louie Ignacio
Starring: Aiko Melendez, Gabby Eigenmann, Miggs Cuaderno, Rochelle Pangilinan, Jake Vargas

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: In the middle of the preparation for Taong Putik Festival, a young man, penniless and in love, takes on a job as a drug courier that goes terribly wrong. To save him, his mother now makes the most difficult decision of her life.

Why you should watch: The Taong Putik Festival has been depicted many times in both independent and mainstream cinema, so the challenge on director Louie Ignacio’s part would be giving audiences something both original and insightful.

But Ignacio’s fondness for music and spectacle should only help in driving home the emotion of this mother-centric film. But the real sell of the film is on leading lady Aiko Melendez. After nearly half a decade away from the big screen, Asintado is her much-awaited comeback to feature length fims.

Hari ng Tondo

Director: Carlos Siguion-Reyna
Starring: Robert Arevalo, Rez Cortez, Cris Villonco, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Lorenz Martinez, Liza Lorena, Lui Manansala, Aiza Seguerra

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: A grandfather on the brink of bankruptcy brings his grandchildren back to the community that made and shaped him, only to find out the place is no longer the same.

Why you should watch: There's a lack of family ensembles in this year’s festival line-up, but director Carlos Siguion-Reyna is filling that gap with Hari ng Tondo. But while the trailer points to some unmistakable similarities with most OFW-family dramas, the raw Tondo slums could help deviate from the usual commercial polish popularized by mainstream films.

It’s also worth noting that Hari ng Tondo was penned by Bibeth Orteza, the same scribe behind My Little Bossings and a number of the Enteng Kabisote films. It’ll be interesting to how the script shapes up now that Orteza has been given the opportunity to work outside the commercial restraints of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Hustisya

Director: Joel Lamangan
Starring: Nora Aunor, Rocco Nacino, Rosanna Roces, Sunshine Dizon, Gardo Versoza, Chynna Ortaleza

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: A foul-mouthed woman fights for her soul in the belly of the city. Working for a human trafficking agency controlled by a powerful syndicate, she sees no evil, hears no evil. In a society like ours, you have only two choices – to be a victim, or a victimizer – she makes her choice.

Why you should watch: Stars don’t get any bigger than Nora Aunor. But while she happens to be the most obvious selling point of Hustisya, she’s in good company. Hustisya, directed by filmmaking veteran Joel Lamangan (Muling Umawit ang Puso, Mano Po) and screenwriting legend Ricky Lee (Jose Rizal, Muro Ami), Hustisya carries the ambition worthy of its staff and stars.

With Nora Aunor playing a woman of questionable morals, Hustisya will hopefully not be pulling any punches with regard to its material. But while big name celebrities don’t always equate to quality, Hustisya should definitely be a film to look out for, if only for the sheer talent of those behind it.

Kasal

Director: Joselito Altarejos
Starring: Arnold Reyes, Oliver Aquino, Rita Avila, Maureen Mauricio, Rener Concepcion

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: Kasal is a slice of life drama of a gay couple whose resolve to stay together is challenged as they attend a wedding. It also is an examination of how a gay couple navigates through the different institutions in Philippine society.

Why you should watch: Director Joselito Altarejos has been a long-standing proponent of local gay cinema with previous works like Ang Lihim ni Antonio and the more recently released Unfriend. But while gay cinema has been unfairly stigmatized as pornography disguised as legitimate cinema, Altarejos has made a point not to let the genre go to waste.

Instead, Alterejos expounds and explores his subjects not simply through eroticism and sexual preference, but through depth of emotion and character. With his previous works garnering wide critical acclaim both locally and internationally, audiences wouldn’t be remiss to expect Kasal to follow those very same lines.

The Janitor

Director: Michael Tuviera
Starring: Dennis Trillo, Richard Gomez, Ricky Davao, Dante Rivero, Irma Adlawan, Derek Ramsay

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: Crisanto Espina, a cop on suspension and under investigation, is tasked to eliminate the suspects involved in a bank robbery/massacre that shocked the whole nation.

Why you should watch: Philippine action movies are a long way from seeing a renaissance, but The Janitor looks like it’s following the slow yet steady trend of local action thrillers. With big name stars like Dennis Trillo, Ricky Davao, Richard Gomez, Derek Ramsay and Irma Adlawan headlining the film, director Michael Tuviera has enough worthy talent to allow for a wide release after the festival.

It's interesting to note that The Janitor was lensed and lit by cinematographer Marissa Floriendo, the very same name behind last year’s Robin Padilla drama-thriller 10,000 Hours.

NEW BREED

#Y
Director: Gino Santos
Starring: Elmo Magalona, Coleen Garcia, Sophie Albert, Kit Thompson, Slater Young, Chynna Ortaleza

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: #Y chronicles the adventures of the members of this generation know for their affinity with social media and the Internet, and combines this with a tale of sex, drugs, and alcohol, and the nights they won’t remember but will never forget.

Why you should watch: Director of the recently released Island Dreams, Gino Santos’ latest film appears to be born out of the same DNA as his visceral feature length debut, The Animals. But while detractors may be quick to criticize Santos for treading familiar territory, it’s obvious that his storytelling interests (and strengths) lie in exposing the vanities and indulgences of the nation’s young upper class.

Based on the film’s teaser trailer, Santos has traded the raw visuals of his first film for the more polished aesthetic of cinematographer Carlo Mendoza (Manila Kingpin). It will be interesting to see if Santos alongside screenwriter Jeff Stelton will be recycling old material or breaking new ground.

1st ko si 3^rd

Director: Rel Florido Starring: Nova Villa, Dante Rivero, Freddie Webb, Ruby Ruiz, Lara Morena

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: A 65-year old woman gets reunited with her first love, and finally the supposed first date happens four decades after they got separated.

Why you should watch: 1^st ko si 3^rd may sound like a mainstream film disguised as an indie effort, but it’s premises like this that prove how Cinemalaya can still have mainstream appeal without the shackles of big studio trappings.

With Nova Villa and Freddie Webb playing each other’s bygone loves, 1^st ko si 3^rd could be the festival’s stand-out love story. Although the trailer keeps things light and frothy, audiences will have to wait and see what writer-director Rel Florido will have up his sleeve to keep the film above the expected tropes of mainstream cinema.

Bwaya

Director: Francis X.E. Pasion
Starring: Angeli Bayani, Karl Medina, RS Francisco, Jolina Salvado

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: Divina, a 35 year old Manobo, is preparing for her daughter Rowena’s 12th birthday when she hears shocking news: her daughter has been attacked by a crocodile, her body still missing. As Divina searches for the body of her daughter in the marshlands of Agusan, she learns a lesson more tragic than her fate: not all predators are underwater.

Why you should watch: Despite director Francis Pasion’s television background, Bwaya is shaping up to be a far cry from the formulaic soap operas of local networks. Based on actual events, Bwaya was shot on location in Agusan del Sur to maintain the authenticity of the story.

If initial footage of Bwaya is anything to go by, the film promises hauntingly eerie but honest visuals from veteran cinematographer Neil Daza (Badil, Emir). Urian Best Actress Angeli Bayani (Norte, Ilo Ilo) headlines the film, in what could be one of the more exciting selections in this year’s New Breed category.

Children’s Show

Director: Roderick Cabrido
Starring: Allen Dizon, Suzette Ranillo, Nathan Lopez, Jacob Clayton, Miggs Cuaderno, Buboy Villar

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: Children’s Show is a full-length film based on a real life story of children ages 10-15 years old being used by a syndicate for an underground wrestling match.

Why you should watch: Inspired by director Roderick Cabrido’s very own made-for-tv documentary, the irony of the film’s title is an easy one to spot. The film’s trailer doesn’t concede much in terms of story, but what few morsels are presented hint at a milieu that’s both violent and honest.

The film puts a spotlight on syndicate-run fistfights, where the combatants are mere children. However, it’ll be Cabrido’s utilization of his young cast that will ultimately make or break the film. If done right, Children’s Show could surface as one of the festival’s brightest entries.

Dagitab (Sparks)

Dagitab Teaser #5 (Official 15s) from Hannah Espia on Vimeo.

Director: Giancarlo Abrahan V
Starring: Eula Valdez, Nonie Buencamino, Martin del Rosario

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: While the marriage of two professors is on the verge of falling apart, the woman is dragged into a scandal involving a young student. On the other hand, the man falls in love with his research – a deity (supernatural being) that appears to him as the ghost of an old flame.

Why you should watch: If the film’s various teasers are any indication, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Dagitab stray from narrative convention. And though the idea of a limp marriage and a kindling affair are by no means original material, audiences can expect writer-director Giancarlo Abrahan to tackle his subjects with eyes allergic to cliché.

More widely recognized for his screenwriting work on the critically acclaimed Transit and the beautifully poetic Islands, Abrahan is finally given the chance to helm his first feature length film with Dagitab. Abrahan’s knack for ambitious and alternative-structured stories are self-evident, but it’ll be his work on Dagitab that will ultimately cement his visual style.

K’na, The Dreamweaver

Director: Ida Anita Del Mundo
Starring: Mara Lopez, Ramon Bagatsing, Alex Medina, Nonie Buencamino, Bembol Roco

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: When a young T'boli woman, becomes a dreamweaver, she has the chance to weave together her village's warring clans. But, will she give up true love to do so?

Why you should watch: The rich and fascinating traditions of the T’boli tribe have always been a storytelling goldmine. But in the case of first time feature film director Ida Anita Del Mundo, she’s putting the spotlight on a T’boli dreamweaver who’s torn between love and loyalty.

Set in Mindanao, K’na, The Dreamweaver looks outside of Metro Manila for its material. But it’ll be interesting to see how Del Mundo will be grounding her story to connect with local audiences not too familiar with T’boli beliefs and traditions. But it’s Del Mundo’s background as a musician that may give her film a unique voice to differentiate herself from the other filmmakers.

Mariquina

Director: Milo Sogueco Starring: Mylene Dizon, Ricky Davao, Bing Pimentel, Che Ramos, Barbie Forteza, Dennis Padilla

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: Unlike the former Philippine First Lady, this Imelda is indifferent towards shoes. To her, they are fraught with the bittersweet nostalgia of childhood, one that was marred by a difficult relationship with her shoe-maker father, Romeo. Growing up, all of hers were handmade by him.

Now a mature woman, she takes a pivotal call from the morgue, spurring her search for the perfect pair of shoes for her dead father. The more she searches for the perfect shoes, the more she finds herself.

Why you should watch: Despite various casting changes during the course of production, Mariquina still looks to be one of the more sought after films in this year’s festival. Although Mariquina’s premise is simple enough, the exploration of the local shoe trade is rich with potential.

With a script penned by writer-director Jerrold Tarog (Sana Dati, Senior Year), it’ll be interesting to see how director Milo Sogueco will be translating Tarog’s penchant for the intimate and the authentic. But Sogeuco is no stranger to such themes himself, especially after the critical success of his full-length narrative debut, Sanglaan.

Ronda

Director: Nick Olanka
Starring: Ai-Ai delas Alas, Perla Bautista, Bernardo Bernardo, Menggie Cobarrubias, Carlo Aquino

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: A policewoman who patrols Manila during the night arrests her teenage son for killing his lover.

Why you should watch: Ronda will most definitely be getting buzz purely from its leading lady, Ai-Ai delas Alas. More widely recognized for her comedic work, delas Alas will definitely be stepping out of her comfort zone as a no-nonsense Metro Manila policewoman.

But writer-director Nick Olanka is also the talent to look out for. Although Olanka has spent the last few years directing for network television and mainstream cinema, it’s easy to forget that Olanka had first cut his teeth with Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo, a feature-length drama that debuted during the earlier years of Cinemalaya.

It’ll be interesting to see how his background in theater, his roots in independent cinema and his experience as a mainstream director will come together in Ronda.

Separados

Director: Giuseppe Bede Sampedro Starring: Victor Neri, Ricky Davao, Jason Abalos, Anjo Yllana, Erik Santos, Alfred Vargas

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: This is the bittersweet saga of 6 men who have separated from their wives. Inspired by true stories, their parallel and overlapping tales offer 6 different portraits of the failure of monogamy in a society where divorce is supposedly not an option. Ironically, fate and circumstance bring them together at a church wedding, where one of them takes a second chance at marital bliss.

Why you should watch: It wouldn’t be director G.B Sampredo’s first time dealing with multiple protagonists. His Cinemalaya debut, Astig, put the spotlight on 4 strong men with very real flaws. But in Separados, Sampedro’s concerns appear to be more intimate.

It isn’t often that relationships are examined through a predominantly male perspective, much less six of them. Separados boasts a top tier cast including Ricky Davao, Victor Neri, Anji Yllana and Jason Abalos, but it’ll be worth seeing how Sampedro juggles multiple narratives with a very clear central theme: separation.

Sundalong Kanin

Director: Janice O'Hara Starring: Nathaniel Brit, Ian de Leon, Gardo Verzosa, Via Veloso, Enzo Pineda, Marc Abaya

Synopsis from Cinemalaya: Set during the Japanese Occupation, four friends (Nitoy, Benny, Carding, and Badong) aspire nothing more than to become soldiers fighting the Japanese until they are confronted by the realities of war that threaten to destroy their families and their friendship.

Why you should watch: Independent films have only become more ambitious over the years, and Sundalong Kanin may be further proof of that. Set during the Japanese occupation, Sundalong Kanin tackles an era not often portrayed in Philippine cinema.

But director Janice O’ Hara seems especially interested in not letting the film’s grandiose backdrop get in the way of telling a story of four young boys. This will be O’ Hara’s feature length debut after years as a television writer, but that shouldn’t deter audiences from checking out Sundalong Kanin if only for its notable premise. – Rappler.com