Two PH films win in Madrid

TWO FILIPINO films won at the recently concluded Madrid International Film Festival in Spain.

Joel Lamangan’s “Tomodachi” bagged two awards: best foreign language film and best original score for a foreign language film (for Emerson Texon and Jacky Woo).

“Tomodachi,” which means “friend” in Nihongo, recounts the “love story of a Japanese soldier and a Filipino woman during World War II.” Lamangan related that the screenplay was based on the real-life romance of his great grandmother’s aunt and a Japanese officer.

“This story was kept as a family secret for many years,” Lamangan told the Inquirer. “It was a source of embarrassment and dishonor. My relatives and her lover were branded collaborators then. But they fought for their love against all political hindrances, persecution and ostracism. It’s a story that needs to be told.”

The drama film features Jacky Woo, Bela Padilla and Pancho Magno in lead roles.

“We are thankful to the jurors for considering a small film from the Philippines as part of their festival and for ultimately giving it two awards,” the director said.

Carlo Ortega Cuevas’ “Walang Take Two” likewise brought home two trophies at the Madrid fest, which had its awarding ceremony on July 9. “Walang Take Two” won best film and cinematography (for Giancarlo Escamillas).

“I am thankful that my first full-length film was recognized by the festival,” Cuevas told the Inquirer. “This recognition motivates me to continue making films and telling stories.”

Produced by INCinema, “Walang Take Two” previously won best director at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in London.

Cuevas’ film follows the travails of a poor but ambitious director who wants to make his own indie movie.

According to its site, the Madrid fest “celebrates filmmaking, while bringing together filmmakers and business [insiders].”