PH films in Germany, Korea

“HOW TO Disappear Completely”

Filipino filmmaker Raya Martin’s “How to Disappear Completely” will be shown at the Hamburg Film Festival in Germany from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5. The fest’s website describes Martin’s film as a “fragmentary horror (movie that) … weaves (together) elements of Southeast Asian mythology with references to classic Hollywood films. A confusing cinematic event, full of foreboding and allusion.”

British filmmaker Sean Ellis’ “Metro Manila” will also be screened in Hamburg. Called a “thriller about the hopelessness of people in need,” “Metro Manila” stars Filipinos John Arcilla, Althea Vega and Jake Macapagal.

Meanwhile, Filipino reporter Julianito “Boy” Villasanta’s “Ang Tagapagligtas” was shown at the recent 13th Gwangju International Film Festival in South Korea.

The documentary follows 74-year-old Lauro Gonzales, also known as “Kristong Hari,” a megalomaniac impersonator of Christ the King. According to the docu, “Gonzales left his comfort zone after being possessed by the Black Nazarene of Quiapo who instructed him to save the world from damnation and destruction.” Bayani San Diego Jr.