3rd World Premieres Film Festival boasts of bigger lineup
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by Archie Liao
The 3rd World Premieres Film Festival which takes place from June 29 to July 10, 2016, boasts of a bigger and more exciting lineup.
The 2016 World Premieres Film Festival (WPFF) celebrates the power and magic of film by featuring a dazzling array of human narratives and cultural diversities, providing a unique opportunity for talented international and local filmmakers to reach new audiences in the Philippines, and across Asia’s rapidly growing film climate.
This year’s WPFF presents the Filipino New Cinema section, a celebration of our Filipino filmmaking talent in the country. The Filipino New Cinema section brings contemporary Filipino films to cinema screens in Manila taking to the venues Cinematheque Centre Manila, Ayala Cinema, Uptown Cinema, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, Greenbelt 3, and Shang Cineplex.
This year, the entries to the Filipino New Cinema section are “Curiosity, Adventure, Love” by Sunshine Lichauco De Leon and Suzanne Richardone, “EDSA” by Alvin Yapan, “Ringgo the Dogshooter” by Rahyan Carlos, “Memory Channel” by Raynier Brizuela, “KU’TE” by Ronaldo Bertubin, and “Iadya Mo Kami” by Mel Chionglo
“Curiosity, Adventure, Love” is heartwarming documentary that weaves together the life of 104-year-old American Jessie Lichauco, who first arrived in the Philippines alone in 1933 and was granted an honorary Philippine citizenship in 2012, with the history of the country. Bridging together past, present, and future, the film takes us on a journey of a century of humanity, love, home, war, faith, and rebuilding a nation.
“EDSA” is a story of interweaving lives of an opportunistic entrepreneur, a smart street kid, a dedicated teacher, a kind-hearted taxi driver and a neophyte snatcher all happening in a day in one of the busiest streets in the metropolis:EDSA.
It stars Aljur Abrenica, Allen Dizon, Kris Bernal, Sue Prado, Mara Lopez, Joem Bascon, Hayden Kho Jr, John Manalo, Simon Ibarra, Lance Raymundo and Upeng Fernandez.
“Ringgo the Dogshooter” is an unconventional tale that follows the journey of 16-year-old Ringgo (Sandino Martin), a boy who falls into working as a dog-shooter – one who assists in mating dogs for breeding purposes. Ringgo works for Bong (Janice de Belen), a dog breeder that owns a troubled Doberman named Inca. Things get complicated when their personal relationships go awry.
Also in the cast are Bembol Roco, Liza Diño-Seguerra, Bodjie Pascua, Manuel Chua, Ruvie Ruvie Red, and Micah Oteyza.
Raynier Brizuela’s “Memory Channel” is a drama thriller about a former singer who suffers from retrograde amnesia that results in depression and anxiety.
Playing the lead is Pinoy balladeer Gerald Santos in his acting debut, with Epy Quizon, Bodjie Pascua, Patrick Patawaran and Michelle Vito in the supporting cast.
Ronaldo Bertubin’s “KU’TE” is a heartwarming drama that captures the story of Emong (Johan Santos), who raised his sister, LenLen (Marielle Therese), with Down Syndrome, by himself. As the film maps LenLen’s own physical and emotional struggles in a society that sees more the incapacity and less the capability of disabled people, Emong’s own harrowing moral journey, made more confusing by on-off romance with Roldan (Nico Gomez), is kickstarted when a shock discovery is made about his sister.
Also in the cast are Maya Samson and Adrian Ramirez.
Mel Chionglo’s “Iadya Mo Kami” is a dark mystery about Father Greg (Allen Dizon), a wayward diocesan priest who is reassigned to a parish up in the mountains. His relationship with a young woman, Carla (Diana Zubiri), results in pregnancy. One night, the priest discovers the dead body of the town’s richest man in the church. He embarks on a mission to solve the crime, leading to his own personal salvation.
Boasting of a powerhouse cast, the movie also stars Eddie Garcia, Aiko Melendez, Ricky Davao, Elora Espano,Alan Paule, Ana Guillen Feleo, Rolando T. Inocencio, Brian Arda Jess Evardone .
Gutierrez Mangansakan III’s “Daughters of the Three Tailed Banner” (Philippines), Camille Fontaine’s “By Accident” (France), Chema de la Peña’s “Love Above All Things” (Spain), Tunku Mona Riza’s “Redha” (Malaysia), Xiang Dou QWiang’s “Young Love Lost” and Dinh Tuan Vu’s “Yen’s Life” (Vietnam) will vie under the Main Competition section.
The following are part of the Asean Skies section: Louie Ignacio’s “Laut,” Patrick Daly and Joel Fendelman’s “Remittance” and Tom and Sam McKeith’s “Beast” (Philippines); Anysay Keola’s “Above It All” (Laos); Adilla Dimitri’s “I Am Hope” (Indonesia); Matthew Robinson’s “Price of Love” (Cambodia); Azhar Kinoi Lubis’ “Surat Cinta Untuk Kartini” (Indonesia); and Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, Royston Tan, K. Rajogopal, Tan Pin Pin, Kelvin Tong and Boo Junfeng’s “7 Letters” (Singapore).
Featured in the Intercontinental section are: Carlos Caridad Montero’s “3 Bellezas” (Venezuela); Maurizio Baldini’s “Dalisay” (Italy); Arturo Prins’ “Damn New York” (Spain); Krisztina Goda’s “Home Guards” (Hungary); Ibolya Fekete’s “Mom and Other Loonies in the Family” (Hungary); Darrell Roodt’s “Mossie” (South Africa); Valery Rosier’s “Parasol” (Belgium); Eugenio Canevari’s “Paula” (Argentina); Yao Huang’s “Pleasure Love” (China); Alex Infascelli’s “Sis for Stanley” (Italy); and Fabrice Camoin’s “The Storm Inside” (France).
Six acclaimed Chinese films will be featured in the “Spotlight: China” category.
Vietnamese films will also be showcased in the Vietnam:Country of Honor category.
The featured films in the fest will be shown in selected SM Cinemas, Greenbelt 3 cinema in Makati, Shang Cineplex in Mandaluyong; and Uptown Place in Taguig.
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