Filipino classics to be screened at new Cinematheque Centre Manila

Cinematheque Centre Manila on Kalaw street. PHOTOS: Film Development Council of the Philippines

Cinephiles who have yet to see the restored version of the Lino Brocka classic "Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag" or the modern classic "Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon" by Lav Diaz should free up a weekend or two in January as Cinematheque Centre Manila holds its inaugural screenings in 2016.

The Cinematheque Centre Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street in Ermita, which is also the new address of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. It will start regular screenings on January 8, and what better movie to start with than Brocka's critically acclaimed film from 1975 starring Bembol Roco and Hilda Koronel?

The Cinematheque theater

Joining the roster of old greats is Lamberto Avellana's 1965 masterpiece "A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino" and Henry Francia's "On My Way to India Consciousness, I Reached China" (1968).

Lav Diaz's Golden Leopard Award-winning film "Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon" (2014) will be screened from January 22 to 31 and interested movie buffs are advised to allot 5 hours and 37 minutes of their day for it. Other contemporary Filipino films on the lineup are "Badil" by Chito Roño, "Sonata" by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, and "Esoterika: Maynila" by Elwood Perez.

Interspersed with local movies are a prime selection of Danish films to be screened in cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark in the Philippines. Set to be shown is "The Hunt" (Jagten, 2012), an Academy Award-nominated film starring Mads Mikkelsen (of "Hannibal" fame).

Also on list are "A Better World" (Hævnen, 2010), "Babette’s Feast" (Babettes gæstebud, 1987), "Waltzing Regitze" (Dansen med Regitze, 1989), and "A Royal Affair" (En kongelig affære, 2012).

The screenings for "Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon" will have an admission price of P200 and the screenings for "Esoterika: Maynila" will have an admission price of P100. All other films will be screened free of charge. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Visit the FDCP's website or its Facebook page for more details. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News