September Holds Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013

The Film Development Council of the Philippines, in cooperation with SM Cinema,brings the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival (NFF) 2013—All Masters-Edition. Launched this month, the film festival features 12 of the best and  rolific film directors in the country. This year’s NFF showcases fresh masterpieces from Philippines’ cinema greats: Tikoy Aguiliz, Mel Chionglo, Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, Joel Lamangan, Elwood Perez, Gil Pores, Jose Javier Reyes, Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Chito Rono, Romeo Suzara and Celso Ad Castillo.

Peque Gallaga’s “Sonata” starring Cherrie Gil (Image credit: www.google.com)

Elwood Perez of the “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” fame, makes a comeback with “Otso” starring veteran actress Anita Linda which is a story of an ambidextrous, aging author calls on his Muse to rid of writer’s block while Gil M. Portes, director of the Gawad Urian-winning “Mga Munting Tinig” directs “Isang tag-araw ni Twinkle”, an account of a drug addict who seeks rehabilitation and in the process re-connects with her dying father. “Isang Tag-araw ni Twinkle” starts actress Ellen Adarna.

Much awaited among the line-up is the familiar powerhouse tandem of Lore Reyes and Peque Gallaga who, for this festival, has Sonata to offer. Sonata, which stars dramatic artists Cherrie Gil and Richard Gomez, tells the story of a worn-out artist who recovers her spirit through a relationship with a young boy. Gallaga and Reyes had worked on a few films in the past which includes “Magic Temple” and “Batang X”.

Jose Javier Reyes, known for his mainstream blockbusters such as “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo” and “Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi” directs “Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?” Which has Bobby Andrews, Angel Aquino and Ryan Agoncillo in the cast. The movie traces the lief of Teresa, who has dedicated her own happiness and fulfillment. Now that the matriarch of the family has died, the children who were under her care have flown back from abroad to bury their mother and decide on the fate of their nanny.

Directors working behind the films (Image credit: www.google.com)

Romy Suzara comes back with his NFF opus “Tink”. “Tinik” tells the story of a middle-aged couturier who faces the many problems of being gay while, in the midst of all the dilemma, tries to hold on to his own dignity. “Tinik” stars Ricardo Cepeda. Suzara rose to fame in the early seventies with movies like “Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma” and “Carinosa”, both starring veteran actress Vilma Santos. Tikoy Aguiluz, on the other hand, directs “Eman”, a biopic one man Lacaba, a brilliant poet turned activist with matinee idol Derek Ramsey playing the lead role. Aguiluz has directed a similar biopic in the mid-80s: “Balweg” which is about rebel priest Fr. Conrado Balweg.

“Lauriana” by Mel Chionglo centers on domestic drama about a Philippines Constabulary soldier’s mistress in the 1950s. The film tackles obsession, passionate love and abuse. Based on a true story, Chionglo describes the film as a psychological thriller. The film casts Bangs Garcia and Allen Dizon.

A couple of this year’s NFF’s films have strong political themes. Chito Rono’s film Badil’s story revolves around a small barrio’s corrupted voting system seen through the yes of a young boy while Joel Lamangan is set in the 70s Martial Law era where two male members of a rebel story, in the midst of their crusade, share an intimate relationship. “Lihis” stars Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon with Isabelle Daza, Lovi Poe and Gloria Diaz.

Joel Lamangan’s “Lihis” starring Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon (Image credit: www.google.com)

Veteran director Maryo J. Delos Reyes’ Bamboo Flowers completes the line-up and is a film that tackles the rousing beauty of the Bohol Island and the lives of the people in it. The film casts indie film siren Mylene Dizon with max Collins, Neil Ryan Sese and Ruru Madrid. Maryo J. Delos Reyes directed “Magnifico” which won the Crystal Bear Award in the Berlin International Film Festival.

Each of the director’s film is set in their respective hometowns: Maryo J. Delos Reyes in Bohol, Tikoy Aguiluz in Davao, Peque Gallaga in Bacolod, and Mel Chionglo in Quezon, with undisclosed places for Chito Rono and Jose Javier Reyes.

NFF will also feature a Master’s Master Tribute to the late grate Celso Ad Castillo with the screening of his last film “Bahay ng Lagim” with the documentary “The Gospel According to Celso Kid”. The festival, in honor of two of other Philippine cinema legends Lino Brocka and Manuel Conde, will also screen the late directors’ films namely the restored version of “Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Genghis Khan”, respectively.

Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 will run from September 11 to 17 at all SM Cinema branches nationwide.