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MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013
INNOVATE AND DOMINATE @ 28
Anniversary Supplement
Revitalizing Philippine cinema
J
UN ROBLES Lana observes that, with the creation of new local film festivals, independent filmmakers are slowly but surely expanding their audiences and exposing the youth—especially students—to a wide range of cinematic styles and perspectives.
This exciting development, along with the collective success of our
movies on the world stage, is a testament to the fact that independent filmmaking revitalizes Philippine cinema, Lana says. Written and helmed by the decorated playwright, screenwriter and director, “Bwakaw” has definitely done its share in bringing honor to the country. The Eddie Garcia-starrer won for Lana three awards at this year’s Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France—the Emile Guimet award, Grand Prix de Jury and the High School Award. And it was the country’s
ARNOLD ALMACEN
JUN ROBLES LANA ‘Bwakaw’
entry to the best foreign language film category of the 2012 Oscars. Lana, who straddles the mainstream and indie worlds, is the youngest in-
ductee to the Palanca Awards Hall of Fame. He says he has a lot of other scripts gathering dust in his room, those that wouldn’t see the light of day
in mainstream cinema. “To truly express myself as a filmmaker, I have to go the indie route,” Lana says. Allan Policarpio
portant in my career, especially now that I have fully embraced my heritage by using my tribal name,” he said. “Independent filmmakers realize our visions in full freedom; the disadvantage is, the ratio of speed of ideas to speed of film-financing is not directly proportional,” the filmmaker added. “Film-financing competitions like the Cinemalaya and Cinema One Originals have given way to more indie productions. A growing regional cinema has empowered filmmakers from remote parts of the country. What we need now is a concrete venue for these films, for the growing audience of this kind of art films.
We should produce DVDs, anthologies and compilations so Filipinos abroad will get to see these great films.” He lauded the INQUIRER: “PDI has given value to our work. It has seen and understood the importance of these times, when Philippine cinema is being recognized around the world. Thank you for seeing the great renaissance of Philippine cinema!” Oliver Pulumbarit
Embracing his heritage KANAKAN BALINTAGOS ‘Baybayin’
“T
HROUGH cinema, we see who we really are,” said Kanakan Balintagos, the filmmaker formerly known as Auraeus Solito (who directed “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”). Along with the name change— “Kanakan” means “hunter of truth” in Palawanon—comes a renewed sense of purpose. “My films are the interwoven images of our culture, myth, ritual and modern
issues that are threatening this way of life. The ‘Palawan Trilogy’ is not a trilogy of plot, but of thought. ‘Busong (Palawan Fate)’ is Palawan’s philosophy. ‘Baybayin’ (The Palawan Script)’ captures its culture. ‘Sumbang (The Palawan Deluge),’ will present my people’s history.” The first two parts were recognized in two international film festivals this year. “Busong” won best international indigenous film at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival in New Zealand; “Baybayin” was awarded best indigenous language film at the ImagineNative Film Festival in Canada. “These two awards are the most im-
A taste for the peculiar
S
HERON Dayoc’s “Mientras Su Durmida (As He Sleeps)” is about the situation of a woman caring for a paralyzed husband which, according to the filmmaker, is akin to “a cage of marriage.” “The film deals with perception of ‘morality’ in relation to women’s struggle for identity and freedom,” Dayoc
says. “In a traditional and patriarchal society, women are [just] child-bearers, subservient to their husbands.” “Mientras Su Durmida” won best short at the 2nd International Short Film Festival in Gornji Milanovac, Serbia. The film, Dayoc notes, poses questions that viewers can identify with: “Is it a sin or immoral for the woman … to leave her husband to find herself and determine her worth?” Working on the film revealed some
truths about the medium, the writer-director says. “The foremost advantage of producing independent films is the freedom to choose peculiar stories [and execute them] with alternative treatment. The greatest challenge is financing.” Dayoc is elated to be a second-time Indie Bravo! honoree. “I appreciate the
fact that, after my older film ‘Halaw’ (2011) PDI is now recognizing my short film,” he said. “I have high regard for the newspaper, for consistently giving recognition to independent filmmakers.” Oliver Pulumbarit
ROMY HOMILLADA
SHERON DAYOC ‘Mientras Su Durmida (As He Sleeps)’
COURTESY OF VINCENT SANDOVAL
Annus mirabilis VINCENT SANDOVAL ‘Aparisyon’
“P
HILIPPINE independent cinema has never been as prolific, nor its sensibilities more diverse than it is this year,” says New York-based director Vincent Sandoval. Sandoval’s second feature film, “Aparisyon,” won the audience award at the 15th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France and received a positive review
from The New York Times for its weeklong run at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The film, featuring Jodi Sta. Maria and Mylene Dizon, bagged the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NetPAC) Award at the 2012 Hawaii International Film Festival after competing in the 2012 Busan IFF (New Currents category). Additionally, “Aparisyon” was hailed by Gawad Tangi as the best picture of 2012. In 2009, Sandoval founded the IndioBravo Film Foundation in New York that
screens independent Filipino films to US audiences. That same year, he wrote, directed and acted in his first short film, “Señorita,” which was later shown in 20 international festivals, most notably in Cannes’ Short Film Corner in 2010. In 2011, he developed the short into a narrative feature, also titled “Señorita, which competed in the 64th Locarno film festival. Sandoval says being one of this year’s Indie Bravo! honorees is a “genuine”
honor. “It’s particularly meaningful, considering that this year is annus mirabilis (notable year) for independent Philippine cinema in terms of the sheer quality and ambition of films produced.” Marinel R. Cruz
INQUIRER PHOTO
INQUIRER PHOTO
THE FIRST THREE YEARS
2010
TWO GROUPS were honored for the second tribute in 2011: Pioneer filmmakers Mike de Leon, Kidlat Tahimik, Roxlee, Butch Nolasco, Nick Deocampo and Ditsi Carolino. New Breed filmmakers Loy Arcenas, Alemberg Ang, the tandem of Monster Jimenez and Mario Cornejo, Eduardo Roy Jr., Ferdinand John Balanag, Remton Siega Zuasola, Marlon Rivera and Jade Castro.
2012
INQUIRER PHOTO
THE FIRST honorees were Adolfo Alix Jr., Alvin Yapan, Ato Bautista, Auraeus Solito, Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Chris Martinez, Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Erik Matti, Francis Xavier Pasion, Jeffrey Jeturian, Jerrold Tarog, John Torres, Jon Red, Khavn de la Cruz, Lav Diaz, Mes de Guzman, Mike Sandejas, Milo Sogueco, the tandem of Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos, Pepe Diokno, Ralston Jover, Raya Martin, Raymond Red, Rico Maria Ilarde and Sherad Anthony Sanchez.
2011
CITED last year were filmmakers Auraeus Solito, Adolfo Alix Jr., Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Jun Robles Lana, Will Fredo, Jet Leyco, Vincent Sandoval, Ron Morales, Benito Bautista and Chris Martinez; and (for pioneering work in indie movies) actors Eddie Garcia, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, Anita Linda, Rustica Carpio, Gina Pareño, Nora Aunor, Jaclyn Jose, Cherry Pie Picache, Shamaine CenteneraBuencamino and Eugene Domingo.