Two PH films go to Serbia

Paolo Villaluna (left) and Carlo Francisco Manatad in Serbia

Two Filipino films were showcased at the recent 11th Küstendorf International Film and Music Festival, held in Drvengrad, Mokra Gora, Serbia.

Carlo Francisco Manatad’s short film, “Jodilerks dela Cruz, Employee of the Month,” competed in the main section. Meanwhile, Paolo Villaluna’s full-length feature film, “Pauwi Na,” was presented in the Contemporary Trends program.

In spite of the freezing weather, Villaluna and Manatad enjoyed themselves at the event, which was held in a traditional village that Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica had built for his film, “Life Is a Miracle.”

Villaluna recalled that Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, head of the jury of last year’s Shanghai fest, had told Kusturica about “Pauwi Na,” winner of the top prize in the A-list event held in China.

“I am happy that the ‘Pedicab’ family is continuing to travel and share its story with the world,” Villaluna told the Inquirer. “I am especially elated because this Serbian fest is programmed by a three-time Cannes winner [Kusturica].”

“Pauwi Na” was shown alongside such internationally acclaimed productions as Cannes winner Ruben Östlund’s “The Square” and Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Young Pope.” Villaluna and the other directors in the Contemporary Trends section also took part in workshops with students.

Manatad, for his part, said: “It’s nice to be back to an event that I’ve always loved. It feels good that the festival recognizes my work as at par with films coming from different parts of the globe.”—BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.