Chinese Film Festival launches with screening of quake film

On September 5, SM Megamall Cinema 6 opened its doors to students, families, film-enthusiasts, and Filipinos who wanted a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture. SM Cinema and the Chinese Embassy of the Philippines have partnered up for a five-day film festival that showcases some of China's most popular films.

Audience have a wide range of genres to choose from: romance, drama, historical, and action—and if the image of Jackie Chan is evoked then that would be rather accurate, since he will be appearing on the big screen with the film he wrote, produced and starred in, "Little Big Soldier."

Award-winning movie "Back to 1942" will also be shown, along with "Caught in the Web", "Say Yes", "Full Circle", and "The Grandmaster," which also won several awards and nominations.

The films were chosen not only for their artistry, but also for the history and culture that could be learned through them. On the opening night, "Aftershock" was screened—a movie that reflects the painful ordeal that China faced after the Great Tangshan Earthquake in 1976, one of the largest earthquakes in the 20th century.


The film festival aims to widen Filipinos' knowledge about Chinese culture, and to promote cultural understanding between the two countries.

"The films featured in the festival will allow us a better view of a culture that has greatly influenced Filipinos...I am sure the Filipino audience will greatly enjoy these films," Film Development Council of the Philippines executive director Teodoro Granados said.

Movies that are part of the Chinese Film Festival will be screened in SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM San Lazaro and SM Manila. As part of the celebration, admissions are free. — BM, GMA News