National Artists Ricky Lee and Alice Reyes add substance to pop Cinemalaya 2023

Once again, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has proven that popularity and pertinence can very well mix in the glitz and glam field.

At the opening of the 19th edition of Cinemalaya held at the lobby of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City Friday night, bold and daring spiels, entries and personalities walked the red carpet seldom seen in diverse premiere performances of film events.

Emcee-actress Adrienne Vergara threw unconventional questions to guests and participants in this year’s Cinemalaya.

To wit:

“Would your film carry the torch of justice at the ICC?” or something to that effect that referred to the issue of the investigation on the past administration’s war against drugs.

Or “Would your film be subjected to Red-tagging?” which the filmmakers and stars illuminated.

These were just two of the non-traditional queries Cinemalaya unleashed to challenge the comfort zones of festival and regular movie goers.

These types of introspection and interaction are the cornerstones of freedom of expression, fresh insights and artistic integrity that Cinemalaya espouses.

Even full-length feature filmmaker Che Andes whose documentary film “Maria” about female emancipation raised her raging right fist when she was called onstage as one of the ten (10) directors competing in the category.

The presence of National Artists Ricky Lee and Alice Reyes, for Film and Dance, respectively, added substance to the already thoughtful occasion.

It was compunded by Cinemalaya Festival Director Chris Millado who said that right to freedom of expression in the movies one key factor to progress and development.

Millado was also the one who declared Cinemalaya 19 open Friday night.

Meanwhile, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President lauded the creativity and passion of this year’s Cinemalaya filmmakers.

The following celebrities walked the red carpet: Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Tirso Cruz III, Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. President Laurice Guillen escorted by Ricky Davao, Cinemalaya Monitoring Head Jose Javier Reyes, Dolly de Leon, Racquel Villavicencio, Madlen Nicolas, CCP Board of Trustees Nikki Junia and Lorna Kapunan, Joel Saracho, Network in the Promotion of Asiam Cinema (NETPAC) juror Ed Cabagnot and Indian filmmaker Utpal Borpujari , feature and short film competition board of judges Shamaine Centenera Buencamino, Neil Daza, Raya Martin, Park Songhu and Malaysian film producer and curator Lorna Tee, Maris Racal, representatives of the ten (10) full-lengths and ten (10) short films, among others.

Quark Henares’ “Marupok AF (Where is the Lie?” was opening film.

The 19th Cinemalaya runs from August 4-13, 2023 at the PICC, Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez or CCP’s Black Box Theater and selected Ayala Malls’ cinemas.

Photo Caption: Tess Ranches of CCP, Ricky Lee and Alice Reyes