‘Pamilya Ordinaryo’ goes to Chicago, London

RONWALDO Martin and Hasmine Killip in the Cinemalaya winner

A Filipino indie film is headed to the oldest fest in North America and one of the newest cinema events in Europe in October.

Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Pamilya Ordinaryo” will be screened at the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival in the United States from Oct. 13 to 27.

The Cinemalaya best picture winner is the lone Filipino film in Chicago, considered North America’s oldest competitive film festival. The Chicago fest was established in 1964 “to provide an alternative to the commercial Hollywood movies that dominated the city’s theaters.” According to its website, the event “seeks out the best in international cinema.”

In the past, the Chicago fest honored such world cinema luminaries as Orson Welles, Francois Truffaut, Clint Eastwood, Satyajit Ray, Sophia Loren and Steven Spielberg.

“Pamilya Ordinaryo” will also compete at the first London East Asia Film Festival in the United Kingdom from Oct. 20 to 30.

According to its site, the London fest’s competition section “aims to nurture new and emerging talents [from] East Asia and provide a platform for their exposure in the UK film industry.” The tilt is open to filmmakers who have directed only three feature films or less.

EDGARDO Roy Jr., Hasmine Killip and Ronwaldo Martin in Venice

The participation of the Filipino film is considered one of the London fest’s “highlights,” along with the screenings of Mohd Khairul Azri Md Noor’s “Pekak (Deaf)” from Malaysia and Kim Sang-chan’s “Karaoke Crazies” from South Korea.

Topbilled by young actors Hasmine Killip and Ronwaldo Martin, “Pamilya Ordinaryo” follows homeless teenagers, as they search for their stolen baby all over the city.

Roy, who will attend both fests, told the Inquirer that he’s “happy and proud” that his film continues to make the rounds of the international circuit. He is particularly “excited” about the London East Asia fest because lead star Killip, who is now based in the United Kingdom, will attend the screening with him. “We hope Ronwaldo can join us again.”

Before Chicago and London, “Pamilya Ordinaryo” won the audience choice award at the Venice Days fest.