In the recently concluded Filipino Film Festival by the Indio Bravo Foundation I watched “100,” supposedly a hit in Korea. It’s the story of a hard-nosed corporate drone who decides to become a human being again upon learning she has 100 days left. (Think “Bucket List.”) For a $20,000-budgeted movie, it’s serviceable but largely forgettable.
Meeting the writer-director afterwards didn’t help in my assessment of the movie. Talking about directors, I was told by the organizers that Brilliante Mendoza, the best director winner at the recent Cannes Film Festival for his movie, “Kinatay” (Butchered) was supposed to fly to New York for the festival; one of his movies, “Slingshot” was included in the festival. At the last minute, however, he had to beg off because CNN was doing an interview on him. Ah, the price of fame.
My colleague Ruth watched another movie titled “Jay,” a satire on reality TV in the Philippines. She said she liked the movie. It’s a low-budgeted movie, too. The Indio Bravo films chose the movies doing the rounds of prestigious international film festivals.
But that festival is over. The Philippine Consulate has come up with its own film festival of sorts, with a theme centered on heroism.
Starting this July, the Philippine Consulate is showcasing the Philippines in previously screened movies, including Filipino and American heroes who fought side by side during World War II. This is also in line with the Philippine-American Friendship Day celebrated on July 4.
The Filipino film screenings are for free and will be held at the Philippine Consulate on 556 Fifth Ave. in NY.
Back to Bataan. A John Wayne starrer in World War II Philippines.
Not all movies in the special screenings are made by Filipinos. Others like the classic, “Back to Bataan” and the more recent “The Great Raid,” are big Hollywood productions set in the Philippines.
The Philippine Film Festival will be every Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Full schedule below:
July
02 – Thursday – Great Raid
09 –Thursday- Back to Bataan
15 –Wednesday- Sakay
23 – Thursday- The Forgotten War (Korean War)
August
05– Wednesday – Corregidor
13- Thursday – Paraiso
20 – Thursday- Baler
27 – Thursday- Inang Yaya
03 September – Thursday – Bayani
All screenings are free, but please call first at 212-764-1330 ext. 310 or 336 to make sure you get a seat.
Dennis has always commented on the celebrity-crazy culture that exists in the Philippines; and it was portrayed unforgivingly in Jay’s family that sold his death to prime time television. The camera work blair-witchy, and being shot on digital you got the expected bland colors and pixelly effects – but all supporting the overall story. The acting by Baron was good – according to the director during the Q&A, it was difficult directing Baron but if so I couldn’t tell. Most of all, the movie provided a glimpse into rural Filipino life as shot thru the lens of a local, something you could never get watching National Geographic.
Ruth is talking about a movie called “Jay” that played in the Indio Bravo Film Festival, an earlier film festival featuring upcoming Filipino directors. Yes, it is a celebrity-crazed culture, having experienced working for a company that produces Filipino movies. That’s why majority of Filipino ads in the Philippines feature celebrities. Those who can afford it in the U.S. do so also. For instance, Filipino money transfer companies have celebrity endorsers. If companies want to target first-generation Filipinos, it may be a good idea to consider tapping a first-generation talent (not second-generation Filipinos who are already Americans).