Digitally remastered classics at 6th QCinema

On

its sixth edition, QCinema International Film Festival gathers together mouth-watering titles —some fresh and virginal, some of recent vintage, and some classic retros digitally remastered— ought to be credited to event programmer Ed Lejano, who has sustained the integrity of the festival throughout the world.

Organizer QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte delivered her annual mantra during the launch saying, “The festival is yet to be beaten by local peers.” This she traced to its humble beginnings in 2013, adding QCinema has gained traction in local and international film circuits for its roster of film entries. In 2017, it was officially recognized as one of the best film festivals in the country.

The local entrees that made it to the list of Top 5 grantees in the annual Circle Competition came from both emerging and established directors. Worth checking are Samantha Lee’s “Billie & Emma,” Timmy Harn’s “Dog Days,” Dan Villegas’ “Hintayan ng Langit,” Gutierrez Mangansakan’s “Masla A Papanok,” and Dwein Baltazar’s “Oda Sa Wala.” These films were given production grants of P1.5 million each. Homegrown documentaries also showcase the works of newcomers, namely “All Grown Up” from Wena Sanchez and “Pagukit sa Paniniwala” from Hiyas Baldemor Bagabaldo. These filmmakers were also provided seed grants of P300,000 each.

Not to be missed is the cream of the crop from among the foreign titles “Shoplifters” by Hirokazu Kore- eda, a Japanese film which bagged the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the 71st Cannes Film Festival.

If you are a sucker for iconic films of the ‘70s and ‘80s check out the Digitally Remastered section of the festival from Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz,” Herbert Ross’ “Footloose,” and John Badham’s “Saturday Night Fever.”

Meanwhile, the French cinema has their classics from Henri- Georges Clouzot’s “Diabolique,” Roger Vadim’s “And God Created Woman,” and Pierre Rissient’s “Five and the Skin.”

Veteran actress Gina Pareño and actordirector Val Iglesia graced the launch. In an interview, a reporter made a fearless forecast that the actress might be a dark horse in the acting derby category, to which she replied, “Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.”

The festival runs from October 21 to 30 in select cinemas.