Laos fest showcases PH cinema

Therese Malvar in “Hamog”

The 7th Luang Prabang Film Festival has lined up a special program of movies from the Philippines for its annual event, which will be held in Laos from Dec. 2 to 7.

Dubbed Spotlight, the section will showcase the “exciting and rapid developments” in the Philippine movie industry, according to organizers.

Included in the Spotlight lineup are Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa,” Mario Cornejo’s “Apocalypse Child,” Dan Villegas’ “#Walang Forever” and Ralston Jover’s “Hamog.”

Apart from screenings, a whole day will be devoted to discussions on Philippine movies. The Luang Prabang fest not only serves as “a celebration of Southeast Asian cinema,” it has also evolved into a “unique forum for regional filmmakers to network internationally.”

The films in the program were “carefully selected by experts and critics,” with the goal of featuring each country’s “finest contemporary films” and highlighting “the strongest voices” from across the Southeast Asian region.

Scenic Luang Prabang, the royal capital of Laos until 1975, is renowned for its Buddhist temples, some dating back to the 16th century. —Bayani San Diego Jr.