World’s best films in Manila

ANGGA Sasongko’s “Filosofi Kopi” from Indonesia

“We foresee that in two or three more years, this film fest will become a major cinema event in Asia. It’s important for local audiences to patronize it,” said Briccio Santos, chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), main proponent of the 2015 World Premieres Film Festival Philippines (WPFFP), which opens today.

Serving as WPFFP’s highlight is the main competition, which “presents the best and latest films from all over the world,” Santos told the Inquirer. “This is only our second edition and we’ve come up with a formidable lineup.”

This year, movies from Taiwan, Russia, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Turkey and Spain are competing for top prizes.

Admission to gala premiere screenings is free. Regular run will be from June 29 to July 7 at SM Cinemas in Metro Manila.

First in the lineup is Li Da-hsu’s “The End of Love” (Taiwan), a film that explores the meaning of love. Its gala premiere is tomorrow, 5:30 p.m., at SM Mall of Asia.

Aleksandr Melnik’s “The Territory” (Russia) focuses on a team of geologists searching for gold on the northeastern shores of the Arctic Ocean. Its gala premiere is tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., also at SM MOA.

ANNA Bofarull’s “Sonata for Cello” from Spain

Remy van Heugten’s “Son of Mine” (The Netherlands) reevaluates notions of manhood in a provincial town. Screening is on June 26 at 2 p.m.

Angga Sasongko’s “Filosofi Kopi” (Indonesia) uses the quest for the perfect coffee as metaphor for the main characters’ failed dreams. It premieres on June 26, at 5 p.m.

Burak Cem Arliel’s “Crimean” (Turkey) presents the Crimean Turks’ struggles against colonizers. The film will premiere on June 26, 7:30 p.m.

Ana Murugarren’s “Three Lies” (Spain) is a detective story revolving around a tattoo artist who finds out that she was sold as a baby. It will premiere on June 27 at 5 p.m.

Anna Bofarull’s “Sonata for Cello” (Spain) follows a cellist as she battles fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder with no known cure. It will premiere on June 27 at 7:30 p.m.

The filmmakers were presented during a press conference yesterday, Santos reported. They will also attend their respective gala premieres and participate in Q&A sessions with the

ANA MURUGARREN’S “Three Lies” from Spain

audience after the screenings.

With subtitles

All films will be shown in their original languages with English subtitles. The films will compete for: Grand Festival Prize, Grand Jury Prize, as well as awards for best

actor, best actress, best artistic contribution, technical grand prize and best ensemble performance.

“The WPFFP celebrates the power and magic of film,” Santos said.

Serving as the festival’s opening film is the restored version of National Artist Lino Brocka’s masterpiece “Insiang.” The screening is at 2:30 p.m. today, at the Premiere Cinema of SM Mall of Asia.

NESTOR Abrogena’s “Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” in the New Filipino Cinema section

Renowned programmer and Brocka supporter Pierre Rissient will be the guest of honor, Santos said.

The restoration of “Insiang” was made possible through the efforts of the FDCP and Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project/The Film Foundation. It was completed at the L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratories in Bologna, Italy.

Featured in a section called New Filipino Cinema are Alvin Yapan’s “Ang Kubo sa Kawayan,” Nestor Abrogena’s “Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa,” Will Fredo’s “Filemon Mamon,” Genesis Nolasco’s “Maskara,” Ruben Maria Sorequez’s “Of Sinners and Saints,” Carlos Morales’ “Piring” Jonah Lim’s “Sino Nga Ba Si Pangkoy Ong?” and Charliebebs Gohetia’s “I Love You. Thank You.”

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