Filipino films compete in 6th Dubai Int'l Filmfest
Brillante Mendoza's "Lola" and Richard Legaspi's "Kinulayang Kiti" are representing the Philippines in competition at the Muhr AsiaAfrica feature and short film category, respectively, of the sixth Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which runs from December 9 to 16.
An official selection at this year's Venice Film Festival and opening film of the 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival, "Lola" (Tagalog for "grandmother" ) is a simple tale, yet loaded with emotion and profound moral dilemmas. It tells the story of two elderly ladies and their respective grandsons. One's lying on a slab in a morgue following a brutal mugging and the other is the guilty party, arraigned in prison awaiting trial. Despite being devastated by his death, Lola Sepa and her impoverished family must bear the burden of making the funeral arrangements, as well as the legal pursuit against the suspected murderer, while the equally poor Lola Puring is committed to getting her grandson Mateo out of jail.
On the other hand, "Kinulayang Kiti" (Hand-Painted Feathers) is a moving tale of surviving the harsh realities of urban life. It shows the struggle of a young boy whose father was murdered in a labor strike. His last resort is to believe in a superstition that by placing live chicks on his father's casket, their pecks will serve as stabs to the killer's conscience. The film recently won honorable mention in the short feature category of the 21st Gawad CCP for Alternative Film and Video and was also screened at the 16th Filipino American Cine (FACINE) Festival last month.
In addition, Raymond Red's "Himpapawid" (Manila Skies) is among the highlights of DIFF's Cinema of AsiaAfrica segment. Inspired by a true event, it tracks the story of a lone hijacker who struggles to survive on the margins of big city society. It competed in the main section of the 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival and was the closing film of the 11th Cinemanila.
Held in association with the Dubai Studio City, DIFF has established itself as a major international festival, while continuing to serve as a premier showcase event for Arab cinema, and contributing to the development and growth of the regional industry. The film festival has also extended its platform to present and honor excellence in cinema from countries in Asia and Africa. Independent and established talents from Asian and African countries with a burgeoning cinema culture are given prominent standing in the festival's program and competition.
DIFF's pioneering initiatives such as the Muhr Awards, Dubai Film Connection and Dubai Film Market have enriched professional experiences in the region, while also raising the profile of regional works on the world stage.
The festival has left an indelible impression on its guests, industry professionals and viewers, through its events, workshops, seminars and principal mandate of presenting the finest selection of cinema from all over the world. DIFF is a frontrunner in promoting better cultural understanding through creative achievements in film.
Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF and the event is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture). For more information on the festival, please visit www.dubaifilmfest. com.
Brillante Mendoza's "Lola" and Richard Legaspi's "Kinulayang Kiti" are representing the Philippines in competition at the Muhr AsiaAfrica feature and short film category, respectively, of the sixth Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which runs from December 9 to 16.
An official selection at this year's Venice Film Festival and opening film of the 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival, "Lola" (Tagalog for "grandmother" ) is a simple tale, yet loaded with emotion and profound moral dilemmas. It tells the story of two elderly ladies and their respective grandsons. One's lying on a slab in a morgue following a brutal mugging and the other is the guilty party, arraigned in prison awaiting trial. Despite being devastated by his death, Lola Sepa and her impoverished family must bear the burden of making the funeral arrangements, as well as the legal pursuit against the suspected murderer, while the equally poor Lola Puring is committed to getting her grandson Mateo out of jail.
On the other hand, "Kinulayang Kiti" (Hand-Painted Feathers) is a moving tale of surviving the harsh realities of urban life. It shows the struggle of a young boy whose father was murdered in a labor strike. His last resort is to believe in a superstition that by placing live chicks on his father's casket, their pecks will serve as stabs to the killer's conscience. The film recently won honorable mention in the short feature category of the 21st Gawad CCP for Alternative Film and Video and was also screened at the 16th Filipino American Cine (FACINE) Festival last month.
In addition, Raymond Red's "Himpapawid" (Manila Skies) is among the highlights of DIFF's Cinema of AsiaAfrica segment. Inspired by a true event, it tracks the story of a lone hijacker who struggles to survive on the margins of big city society. It competed in the main section of the 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival and was the closing film of the 11th Cinemanila.
Held in association with the Dubai Studio City, DIFF has established itself as a major international festival, while continuing to serve as a premier showcase event for Arab cinema, and contributing to the development and growth of the regional industry. The film festival has also extended its platform to present and honor excellence in cinema from countries in Asia and Africa. Independent and established talents from Asian and African countries with a burgeoning cinema culture are given prominent standing in the festival's program and competition.
DIFF's pioneering initiatives such as the Muhr Awards, Dubai Film Connection and Dubai Film Market have enriched professional experiences in the region, while also raising the profile of regional works on the world stage.
The festival has left an indelible impression on its guests, industry professionals and viewers, through its events, workshops, seminars and principal mandate of presenting the finest selection of cinema from all over the world. DIFF is a frontrunner in promoting better cultural understanding through creative achievements in film.
Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF and the event is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture). For more information on the festival, please visit www.dubaifilmfest. com.
