Cinemanila marks a first with Cannes winners

Now on its 11th year, the Cinemanila International Film Festival opened last October 15 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig with a first -- opening and closing with Filipino films from directors that have won awards in the prestigious Cannes film festival.

The festival opened with 2009 Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza’s Lola (Grandmother). The film, which stars veteran movie actress Anita Linda, tells the story of two elderly women who must face the consequences of a crime involving their grandsons, one of whom is the victim and the other the suspect. Mendoza also heads the festival’s Main Competition Jury. For the closing ceremonies, director Raymond Red is slated to present Himpapawid (Airspace), which tells the story of a plane being taken over by a deranged hijacker who has been pushed to the edge by the chaos of everyday life. Red won accolades for being the first Filipino Palme d’Or winner for his short film Anino (Shadow) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000. The annual film expo is the brainchild of Filipino filmmaker Amable “Tikoy" Aguiluz. It is inspired by the legacy of director Lino Brocka, who founded an independent production outfit called Cinemanila in 1974. This year’s festival, which is presented by the City of Taguig and the Cinemanila International Film Festival Foundation and runs until October 25, boasts of a line-up of 100 local and international full-length features, shorts, and documentaries. The festival also features workshops, seminars and master classes. Most film buffs, however, are anticipating the Main Competition, which boasts of films that have already reaped awards in various festivals. These include Australia’s Samson and Delilah (Golden Camera Award, Cannes 2009), Chile/Brazil’s Tony Manero (KNF Award, Rotterdam 2009), the Philippines’ Independencia (Grand Prize, Southeast Asian Competition, Bangkok International Film Fest 2009), and Spain/Peru’s Milk of Sorrows (Golden Bear FIPRESCI Award, Berlin 2009). Most of the films will be shown at the Market! Market! Cinemas. - FVI, GMANews.TV For schedules and other information, log on to the Cinemanila website. Read the reviews here: Mostly so-so, Cinemanila’s short films have a long way to go Dolores disappoints 69 1/2 Independencia Anacbanua Biyaheng Lupa