Night and Day: Promenading near the Palais

DIAZ and Alemania

ALIX and Milby

CANNES—Caught strolling incognito on the streets of this resort city in the south of France are two Filipino filmmakers with the lead actors in their respective movies competing in the Un Certain Regard Section. During daytime, Lav Diaz and “Norte” actor Archie Alemania took in the sights of the boutique-lined streets near the Palais. In the evening, Adolfo Alix Jr. and “Death March” actor Sam Milby went out dining and bar-hopping with other members of the Filipino contingent. Inevitably, a few Filipinos would ask for souvenir shots here and there, but the actors largely went around undisturbed. Interestingly, it was Alemania’s turn to act like a fan. He asked for a snapshot with Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, but her publicist politely turned him down. Turned out Ziyi is a juror in Un Certain Regard, where Alemania’s film is in contention. Contact between jurors and participants are not encouraged, said Alix who also couldn’t ask for a photo with Ziyi. Bayani San Diego Jr.