The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Jezrel Santillan
Last August 3, the Cinemalaya film festival formally opened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines which was filled with colorful lights, lively music and excited moviegoers.
Film directors and actors from two different film categories added hype to the event where the crowd expected to see their favorite filmmakers and actors live up close.
“Cinemalaya is not mainstream with the demands of commerce gaining prominence, with the filmmaker having confidence in the craft and decides to enter the mainstream, he will soon discover the language of commercial film making.
But it is the vision and the hope of Cinemalaya that his unique voice survives the pressure to conform.
This is where the film makers and the audience of Cinemalaya can help each other. So, enjoy the films; enjoy the Cinemalaya experience”, Cinemalaya President Laurice Guillen said on her opening remarks. She also thanked the crowd for their support.
The festival is off to a great start with the screening of the ‘talk of the town’ action-thriller movie of Erik Matti, “Buy Bust”.
The film is about the ongoing drug war and how PDEA agents risk their lives doing their duties, not knowing there are snakes within their ranks.
The cast of ‘Buy Bust’ received a plaque of appreciation. Meanwhile, actress Anne Curtis became emotional after the screening because of the display of support and positive reactions she overheard inside the theater where the film was shown.
She said the two years of filming paid off well due to the initial response from the viewers.
Although screening of “Buy Bust” opened the Cinemalaya, the film will not be competing in the festival.
Ten full-length films are competing:
Distance by Percival Intalan; ML by Benedict Mique; Kung Paano Hinihintay Ang Dapithapon by Carlo Enciso Catu; Musmos na Sumibol Sa Gubat ng Digma by Iar Lionel Arondaing; Kuya Wes by James Robin Mayo; Pan De Salawal by Anna Francesca Espiritu; Liway by Kip Oebanda; School Service by Luisito Ignacio; Mamang by Denise O’Hara; and Lookout directed by Afi Africa.
Ten entries for the Short Film category include:
Short Feature A – Si Astri Maka Si Tambulah by Xeph Suarez; Jodilerks Dela Cruz Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad; Logro by Kani Villaflor; Sa Saiyang Isla by Christian Candelaria; and Nangungupahan directed by Glenn Barit.
Short Feature B – You, Me and Mr. Wiggles by Jav Velasco; Babylon by Keith Deligero; Kiko by Jojo Driz; Siyudad sa Bulawan by Jarell Serencio; and Yakap directed by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan.
The festival offers free admission on some of the featured films. August 12 is the last day of the Cinemalaya film festival.