International film festivals showcase at least 4 PHL films

At least four Filipino films are given international recognition, proof that local films are worthy of a global audience.

For the fourth year in a row, a Filipino film was handpicked to be part of the London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) in the United Kingdom.

Joel Lamangan’s “Rainbow’s Sunset,” starring the late icons Eddie Garcia and Tony Mabesa, was among the 12 films selected for UK’s biggest film festival celebrating Asian culture.

Ramon (Eddie Garcia) reads Fredo (Tony Mabesa) a bedtime story. In Rainbow’s Sunset, Ramon leaves his family to take care of his best friend, Fredo, who is dying of cancer. PHOTO FROM DFA

The film, which tells the struggle of homosexual best friends Ramon and Fredo as they face the brink of death together, will be screened at the ODEON Covent Garden Theater on October 26 along with 59 other films from 11 countries.

The film fest will run from October 24 to November 3.

“The inclusion of 'Rainbow’s Sunset' in LEAFF’s Official Selection is another testament affirming Philippine excellence in cinema,” Ambassador to UK Antonio Lagdameo said.

Meanwhile, Ida del Mundo’s “K’na The Dreamweaver” debuted at the 13th London Native Spirit Film Festival, which celebrates the world’s indigenous cultures.

Mara Lopez stars as K’na, the T’boli princess who must choose between love or her call to duty. PHOTO FROM DFA

The film focuses on the life of a young T’boli woman who is forced to decide between her true love, an Abaca farmer, and the son of the leader of a rival tribe whom she must marry to bring peace to their community.

The film was screened at the Brunei Gallery Theater last Saturday.

At the BFI London Film Festival, two films about the lives of OFWs debuted.

A scene from “Overseas”, where a group of trainees carefully observe how to bathe a baby. PHOTO FROM DFA

Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” was screened at Vue West End from October 9 to 10, while Sung-A Yoon’s “Overseas” was played at the ICA Cinema on October 10 and at the BFI Southbank on October 12.

“Lingua Franca” is the story of Olivia, an undocumented immigrant in Brooklyn who works as a caregiver for Olga, an aging Russian woman in the throes of dementia. Olivia struggles to juggle the pressures of her work with the looming of the threat of deportation.

“Overseas,” on the other hand, is about the life of Filipino women who leave their homes and their families to work overseas in pursuit for a brighter future for their families in the Philippines.

Every year, around 300 films, documentaries, and shorts from 50 countries around the world are featured in the BFI London Film Festival.

“Cinema is a powerful tool in telling the story of a country and its people,” Lagdameo said. “Philippine representation in film festivals such as BFI London is an important platform for the Philippines to tell the story of its people to a global audience.” — BAP, GMA News