Kidlat returns to Berlin with ‘Balikbayan #1’

KIDLAT Tahimik won the Fipresci Int’l Critics Prize there 38 years ago. RICHARD A. REYES

Hoping to “explore marketing prospects,” particularly for several films that the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) coproduced in past years, its chair Briccio Santos left Wednesday for Germany as the head of a Filipino delegation to take part in this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.

The FDCP is among the exhibitors at the event, which started yesterday and runs until Feb. 15. Santos is scheduled to meet his counterparts from the Baltic states and other European countries. “[They] may provide films for our 2nd World Premieres Film Festival Philippines,” Santos said of the event in Manila that the FDCP will host in June.

He will likewise meet with organizers of other international film festivals that are partnering with the FDCP for the June fest. “Venice has committed to bring its Classics Section to Manila for a special feature,” Santos told the Inquirer hours before he left.

Santos reported that the Philippine ambassador to Germany will join the Filipinos at the festival, “especially since [the embassy has] been active in showcasing Filipino films.”

Celebrated filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik’s “Balikbayan #1,” which took 35 years to make, will premiere at the Berlin IFF on Feb. 10, competing in the International Forum of New Cinema section. “We recognize the film’s significance,” Santos pointed out, “as it marks Kidlat’s return to Berlin, 38 years since his ‘Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmares)’ won the Fipresci International Critics Prize in that same section.”

Shoot started 1979

Fascinated by the story of Enrique of Malacca, perhaps the first Filipino to circumnavigate the globe, Tahimik started shooting “Balikbayan #1” in 1979. The film follows Enrique’s travels with Ferdinand Magellan. A slave, Enrique acted as translator and guide for the Portuguese explorer.

Santos also announced that seven Filipinos from various fields in filmmaking, such as scriptwriting, editing, cinematography and acting, are participating in this year’s The Berlinale Talents, the Berlin IFF’s annual summit and networking platform for 300 emerging film creatives from across the globe.

“Our participation in Berlinale Talents indicates the bright future for emerging Filipino filmmakers,” said Santos. This is important, he added, since one of the new additions to the 2nd WPFFP is the “Filipino New Cinema” section, which showcases new-breed directors and their latest projects.

He said the FDCP is gearing up for more activities after Berlin, including the launch of the restored version of Manuel Conde’s “Genghis Khan,” which will soon be out on DVD.

Grand premiere

A grand premiere is being organized for the restored edition of Lamberto Avellana’s “Portrait of the Filipino as an Artist,” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Santos explained, “Restoration for this film, as in the cases of (Lino) Brocka’s ‘Maynila’ and ‘Genghis Khan’ was done in Bologna, (Italy). This year marks the birth centennial of Avellana and the premiere of the restored film based on Nick Joaquin’s celebrated play could not be more timely.”

He said the FDCP is pushing through with establishing a cinematheque in Intramuros, Manila, within the year. “There are ongoing negotiations with the Intramuros Administration for the site and location.”