FILIPINO FILM FESTIVAL, NEW YORK CITY
Selected independent films produced in the Philippines, sponsored and promoted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines through its 2011 Sineng Pambansa program, were shown in New York City at the Producers’ Club Theaters on June 17 – 23. 2011. A lively question and answer segment between the audience and producer-director Sheron Dayoc of the film Halaw ensued at the end of the show. The following award-winning films with English subtitles were showcased:
HALAW / Ways of the Sea
Directed, produced and written by Sheron R. Dayoc
This powerful award-winning film exposes the human trafficking process and journey of a microcosm of multicultural groups in Mindanao, through the southern Philippine seas, in search of a better life in the Asian “promised land” of neighboring Malaysia.
BAKAL BOYS / The Children Metal Divers
Directed by Ralston Jover, Produced by Bessie Badilla and Albert Almendralejo, Written by Ralston Jover and Henry Burgos
A realistic docudrama about the children who scavenge metal scraps in the murky waters of Manila Bay depicts risks taken, survival, friendship and a deep chasm between life and death.
TWO FUNERALS
Directed by Gil Portes, Written by Gil Portes and Enrique Ramos
A black comedy about a grieving mother's journey to recover her daughter's body, after a funeral mix-up, takes you to the heart of the country during the Holy Week in the heat of election season.
BAYANING THIRD WORLD / Third World Hero
Directed by Mike De Leon, Written by Clodualdo ‘Doy’ Del Mundo Jr. and Mike De Leon
A complex film within a film that attempts to explore the myth of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.
ANG PAGLILITIS NI ANDRES BONIFACIO / The Trial of Andres Bonifacio
Directed and written by Mario O’ Hara
This film is about the untold story of the trial of Andres Bonifacio under the Revolutionary Government of President Emilio Aguinaldo.
ANG DAMGO NI ELEUTERIA / Eleuteria’s Dream
Directed by Remton Siega Zuasola, Written by Maria Victoria Beltran and Remton Siega Zuasola
In this acclaimed comedy-drama, Terya, a simple island girl who is about to leave her home to marry a foreigner, goes through a series of events that affected her decision to stay or go.
HAPPYLAND
Directed by Jim Libiran, Written by Jim Libiran and Alfredo Lazarate
An uplifting coming-of-age story—based on real life events—about poor young kids who learn to dream and dare to fight for a common goal.
ANG PANGGAGAHASA KAY FE / The Rapture of Fe
Directed and written by Alvin Yapan
Fe is caught between an abusive husband and an impotent lover. She strives to assure her own survival.
EMIR
Directed by Chito S. Rono, Produced by Digna H. Santiago, Nestor Jardin, Rolando Atienza, Written by Jerry Gracio
A full-feature original musical that’s partly based on the true story of a crown prince of an Arab nation who can fluently speak both Tagalog and Ilokano, features the story of Amelia, an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) who becomes a nanny to the only son of a sheik's household.
