Phl is Country of Focus at the Busan Filmfest
In recognition and celebration of the 100 years of Philippine Cinema, the Philippines has been announced as the Country of Focus of the 23rd Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). As part of the official announcement by the organizers, Philippine Cinema will be highlighted in a number of activities and events.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which is headed by chairperson Liza Diño, leads the country in one of the biggest film festivals in Asia and the world, bringing in a huge delegation composed of filmmakers and producers participating at the film market, film exhibitions, special screenings and talks as part of the celebration.
“We cannot stress how great of an honor it is to be selected as the Country of Focus in Busan just in time for our centennial. More than highlighting our cinema, being the Country of Focus means greater exposure for our filmmakers and more platforms for us to showcase this work. Our target for our next hundred years is to go global not just through the prestige of being in festivals but in finding opportunities for co-production and distribution, and Busan is the best place to start because it offers both when it comes to film market, festival, culture and industry,” said Diño.
Busan’s Special Program focusing on the Philippines features 10 Filipino classics in retrospective. Titled Cinema as a Response to the Nation, the lineup includes A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino directed by Lamberto Avellana (1965); Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? by Eddie Romero (1976); Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos by Mario O’Hara (1976); Ang Panday by Fernando Poe Jr. (1980); Cain at Abel by Lino Brocka (1982); Moral by Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1982); Himala by Ishmael Bernal (1982); Bayaning 3rd World by Mike de Leon (2000); Dekada ‘70 by Chito Roño (2002); and Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria by Remton Siega Zuasola (2010).
The program was curated with the help and support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Commission on Cinema, head of Subcommission on the Arts, Teddy Co, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member Tito Valiente, Doy Del Mundo and Nick Deocampo of the Center for New Cinema and UPFI.
These films were pro- vided with the assistance of FPJ Restoration, ABSCBN Restoration, Cinema One Originals and Solar Films with special thanks to award-winning director Mike de Leon.
Included in A Window on Asian Cinema Section are Citizen Jake directed by Mike de Leon (2018); Alpha: The Right To Kill by Brillante Mendoza (2018); The Eternity Between Seconds by Alec Figuracion (2018); Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus by Dwein Baltazar (2018); Lakbayan by Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza and Kidlat Tahimik (2018); and Signal Rock by Chito Roño (2018).
The Wide Angle Short Film Showcase Section includes Last Order directed by Joji Alonso and Manila is Full of Men Named Boy by Stephen Lee; and the Wide Angle Documentary Showcase features Land from God directed by Kevin Piamonte (2018).
BIFF also published a special book titled Centennial Anniversary of the Philippine Cinema, which was presented on Oct. 5 at the Busan Cinema Center and introduced by Deocampo, Valiente and Co who contributed individual essays to the publication.
Right after the book launch came Spotlight: Philippines, Cinema Centennial Talks: Cinema as a Response to the Nation featuring Christopher de Leon (Cain at Abel, Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Dekada ‘70s and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos); Joel Torre (Bayaning 3rd World); Sandy Andolong (Moral); and Piolo Pascual (Dekada ‘70s). They all star in the films featured in the special program.
FDCP is also holding an exhibit on the history of Philippine Cinema titled Cinema Un/Bound: Archipelagic Cinema of the Philippines at the Busan Cinema Center until tomorrow, Oct. 11. Curated in partnership with Deocampo, the exhibit explores the journey of cinema from the past to its future.