bangkok-ok!

BEFF 5 : "The More Things Change"

It's time for the next BEFF! The 5th Bangkok Experimental Film Festival or BEFF 5
organised by Kick the Machine, Project 304 and the Thai Film Foundation

Duration: March 25-30, 2008
Main Venue: Esplanade Cineplex

The opening will be held on March 25 at Gallery VER, Klong San, from 6.30pm.
Dinner and drinks will be served by the river from 7pm onwards.

Special Video Cruises (approx. 30mins) depart from 8pm*
Notes: Places on the cruises are limited - so please register on arrival with BEFF staff!

Project Partners: ThaiIndie, Goethe Institute, Alliance Francaise, Bangkok, Gallery VER, William Warren Library (Jim Thompson House)

Project Sponsors & Supporters: Piphitmaya, MAAP-Multimedia Art Asia Pacific, Provincial Electricity Authority, Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Freetex, AARA

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For more info and screening program, see: http://www.project304.org/beff5/
http://www.myspace.com/beff5/

Contact: BEFF organisers
Tel: +66 (0)86 311 6062
Email: [email protected]

Tomyam Pladib

20 มีนาคม – 5 มิถุนายน 2551
ณ หอศิลป์ บ้านจิม ทอมป์สัน

ใกล้เปิดให้ชมกันแล้ว สำหรับนิทรรศการ "ต้มยำ ปลาดิบ" ที่นำผลงานศิลปะจากศิลปินไทยและญี่ปุ่นชื่อดังมาให้ชมกัน
ให้ได้เห็นกันทั้งงานสิ่งทอ จิตรกรรม วิดีโอ งานจัดวางแบบ interactive จากจารุพัชร อาชวะสมิต, ยาสึมาสะ โมริมูระ, โยชิโตโมะ นาระ, สึโยชิ โอซาว่า, วิศุทธิ์ พรนิมิตร และ วชิราภรณ์ ลิมวิภูวัฒน์, เรียวตะ ซูซูกิ, อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐ-กุล

ซึ่งกฤติยา กาวีวงศ์ ภัณฑารักษ์และผุ้อำนวยการหอศิลป์บ้านจิม ทอมป์สันเป็นผู้คัดสรรผลงาน

กิจกรรมด้านการศึกษาในเดือนมีนาคม

พิธีชงชา
วันที่: ศุกร์ที่ 21 มีนาคม
เวลา: 14.00 - 15.30น.
สถานที่: ห้องไอยรา บริเวณพิพิธภัณฑ์บ้านไทยจิม ทอมป์สัน
วิทยากรกิตติมศักดิ์: ฟูมิโกะ บุยจ์ และสมาคมพิธีชาอุระเซนคะตันโกไก (สชอต)

หอศิลป์บ้านจิม ทอมป์สัน ขอเชิญทุกท่านร่วมกิจกรรมพิเศษ พิธีชงชา ซึ่งเป็นส่วนหนึ่งในนิทรรศการ ต้มยำ ปลาดิบ ดำเนินกิจกรรมโดยวิทยากรกิตติมศักดิ์ ฟูมิโกะ บุยจ์ ผู้เชี่ยวชาญในพิธีชงชาร่วมด้วยวิทยากรจากสมาคมพิธีชาอุระเซนคะตันโกไก(สชอต) ที่จะมาแนะนำข้อมูลและแบ่งปันประสบการณ์เกี่ยวกับพิธีชงชาในแบบฉบับของคนญี่ปุ่น ผู้เข้าร่วมจะได้รับประสบการณ์เกี่ยวกับพิธีชงชาพร้อมทั้งเพลิดเพลินกับขนมและชาเขียวแบบญี่ปุ่นอันลือชื่อ

กิจกรรมจะแบ่งออกเป็น 2 รอบ และจะเริ่มต้นด้วยการอธิบายรายละเอียดเกี่ยวกับพิธีชงชา

เนื่องจากที่นั่งมีจำนวนจำกัด (30 ที่นั่ง) กรุณาติดต่อสำรองที่นั่งล่วงหน้าเพื่อเข้าร่วมรายการ

(กิจกรรมดำเนินรายการเป็นภาษาอังกฤษและบรรยายเป็นภาษาไทย)
Apichatpong on Videoworks
โดยอภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล
วันที่: พฤหัสบดีที่ 27 มีนาคม
เวลา: 19.00 - 21.00น.
สถานที่: ห้องสมุดวิลเลี่ยม วอร์เรน อาคารเฮนรี่ บี ทอมป์สัน

อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล นักทำหนังสัญชาติไทย ที่เคยคว้ารางวัลจูรี่ ไพรซ์ จากเทศกาลหนังเมืองคานส์มาแล้ว หลายคนอาจจะคุ้นเคยกับอภิชาติพงศ์ในฐานะผู้กำกับหนัง แต่ในครั้งนี้เขาจะเล่าถึงบทบาทอีกด้านหนึ่งในฐานะศิลปินที่ทำงานศิลปะวิดีโอเจ้าของผลงานชุดล่าสุด มรกต ที่จัดแสดงอยู่ในนิทรรศการ ต้มยำ ปลาดิบ การสนทนาในครั้งนี้จะคาบเกี่ยวไปถึงอีกบทบาทหนึ่งของอภิชาติพงศ์ในฐานะผู้จัดเทศกาลหนังทดลองกรุงเทพ BEFF ที่จะมีขึ้นระหว่างวันที่ 25-30 มีนาคม 2551อีกด้วย

(กิจกรรมดำเนินรายการเป็นภาษาไทยพร้อมแปลเป็นภาษาอังกฤษ)

การอบรมเชิงปฏิบัติการโดย อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล
วันที่: เสาร์ที่ 29 มีนาคม 2551
เวลา: 10.00 - 18.00น.
สถานที่: ห้องสมุดวิลเลี่ยม วอร์เรน อาคารเฮนรี่ บี ทอมป์สัน
วิทยากร: อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล

ในการอบรมเชิงปฏิบัติการครั้งนี้ ผู้เข้าร่วมจะได้ใช้จินตนาการส่วนตัวสร้างเรื่องราวของผู้หญิงคนหนึ่งซึ่งตะโกนว่า"-uck the Fame, Hurray for Love!" ผู้เข้าร่วมกิจกรรมจะได้ใช้จินตนาการในการแต่งเติมเรื่องราวของผู้หญิงคนนี้ ถึงเหตุผลและที่มาที่ไปของข้อความที่เธอเปล่งออกมา ด้วยเทคนิคการใช้คำพูดและภาพดิจิตอลในการสร้างเรื่อง การอบรมครั้งนี้จำกัดจำนวนผู้เข้าร่วมโครงการเพียง 10 ท่าน โดยต้องมีอายุ 15 ปี ขึ้นไปและมีกล้องดิจิตอลเป็นของตนเอง ผู้สมัครเข้าร่วมโครงการจะต้องเขียนรายละเอียดประวัติส่วนตัวและมุมมองส่วนตัวที่มีต่อภาพยนตร์เพื่อประกอบการพิจารณาเข้าร่วมโครงการ สามารถส่งได้ทั้งไปรษณีย์และอีเมล์ (ความยาวประมาณ 1 หน้ากระดาษ A4) หมดเขตรับสมัครวันที่ 21 มีนาคม 2551

(กิจกรรมดำเนินรายการเป็นภาษาไทยพร้อมแปลเป็นภาษาอังกฤษ)

Press Conference on "Tomyam Pladib"

The press conference of "Tomyam Pladib" will take place on March 10th, 2008 at 13.30-15.00 p.m. at the Ayara Hall, the Jim Thompson House Museum Compound, Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama I Road (near the BTS Station: The National Stadium) It will be joined by Mr. Takeji Yoshikawa, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Bureau/Director General of Japan Foundation Bangkok and Gridthiya Gaweewong, the curator and Artistic Director of the Jim Thompson Art Center, as well as, the participating artists from Thailand and Japan.

Tomyam Pladib

19th March - 5th June 2008
Venue: The Jim Thompson Art Center


Participating artists: Jarupatcha Achavasmit, Yasumasa Morimura Yoshitomo Nara, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Wisut Ponnimit and Vachiraporn Limviphuvadh, Ryota Suzuki, Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Curated by Gridthiya Gaweewong
Curatorial Assistants: Penwadee Nophaket Manont and Nunnaree Panichkul

“Tomyam Pladib” is an art exhibition of Thai and Japanese artists exploring the coexistence of the traditional the contemporary. It aims to show the complexity of Thai and Japanese contemporary art and culture through the multi-disciplinary works of Thai and Japanese artists.

This project will present multi-layered perspectives on this synergy and modern art, as seen and interpreted by Japanese and Thai artists, drawing on their short- and long-term cross-cultural experiences. The exhibition will feature Japanese artists who have visited Bangkok to create and exhibit their work. Some have fallen in love with the city, and continue to live and work here. It will also include Thai artists who have lived and worked in Japan.

The title “Tomyam Pladib” combines a famous dish from each country’s cuisine. Tomyam is a spicy Thai soup and Pladib (meaning “raw fish”) is the Thai term for sashimi. This new term reflects an understanding between Thais and Japanese who are familiar with both languages. It also symbolizes the special relationship between the Thai and Japanese communities. The title unites two of Asia’s great gastronomic traditions.

It was inspired and coined by Bangkok-based Japanese writer, Ryota Suzuki, who has long served as a bridge between his own culture and Thai culture. In his Thai language column for A Day monthly magazine, Suzuki shares Japanese responses to Thai culture, and reflections on everyday life in Bangkok. He also writes bi-weekly articles for Yomiuri Shimbun about Thai culture and Thai attitudes towards the Japanese.

Through the works presented in the exhibition, the artists explore the co-existence of the traditional and the contemporary in their respective cultures, using a variety of artistic strategies including video art, animation, installation, textiles and fashion as well as literature. Most of the works stem from memory, cultural collaboration and everyday life experience.

“Tomyam Pladib” is dedicated to an artistic dialogue and the strengthening of the cultural relationship with Japan, in response to the celebration of 120 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand, and the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Volunteers Association relationship with the Jim Thompson Thai House Museum. Special events, curator’s and artists’ talks, seminars and a workshop will be conducted throughout the exhibition period.

For more information please contact:
Penwadee (Exhibition Coordinator) at 02-612-6741, 02-219-2911
[email protected] or [email protected]

TOMYAM PLADIB: EDUCATIONAL & PUBLIC PROGRAM

MARCH

A TEA CEREMONY
Date: Friday, March 21st
Time: 2:00 -3:30 p.m.
Venue: Ayara Hall at the Jim Thompson House Museum compound
Program Leaders: Fumiko Boughey and Chado Urasenke Tankokai Bangkok Association (CUTBA)

The Jim Thompson Art Center invites you to join a Japanese tea ceremony presented by a tea ceremony master, Fumiko Boughey and staff from Chado Urasenke Tankokai Bangkok Association (CUTBA). By joining in this serene ceremony, participants will learn more about Japanese culture and enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and green tea.

The program will be separated into two sessions with a brief explanation about the ceremony before the beginning of each session.

Please note that the program is limited to 30 guests, Reservations will be made in advance.

(The program will be in English with Thai translation.)

APICHATPONG ON VIDEOWORKS
An Artist Talk with Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Date: Thursday, March 27th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Venue: William Warren Library, Henry B. Thompson Building

Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the international acclaimed film director and Jury Prize winner of the Cannes Film Festival, will reveal his other side as a new media artist and talk about his past and present short film works and video installations, to include Morakot (Emerald), his latest video installation showing at the Tomyam Pladib Exhibition.

He will also speak on his role in the current project, Bangkok Experimental Film Festival (BEFF) March 25-30, 2008, in which he is participating as a festival’s co- director.

(The program will be in Thai with English translation)





A WORKSHOP BY APICHATPONG WEERASETHAKUL
Date: Saturday, March 29th
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Venue: William Warren Library, Henry B. Thompson Building
Workshop Leader: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Apichatpong Weerasethakul, a renowned Thai independent filmmaker, will conduct a workshop program entitled, “-uck the Fame, Hurray for Love!” This is a workshop about an imaginary actress where the workshop leader, Apichatpong, will ask participants to imagine her story taken around the area. Participants will learn how to use association techniques of words and images to create a fabulous story.

The program is limited to 10 participants only. Applications are open to anyone over 15 years old who has a proper digital camera. To apply, applicants should send CV with a short essay (1 page long) describing his/her perspective towards films to the Jim Thompson Art Center by mail or email. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2008.

(The program will be in Thai with English translation)

APRIL

TOMYAM PLADIB SEMINAR
JAPANESE ART AND CULTURE: INSIDE OUT/ OUTSIDE IN
Date: Thursday, April 24th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Venue: Ayara Hall at the Jim Thompson House Museum compound
Speakers: Alex Kerr, Yuko Hasekawa, Mami Kataoka and Raiji Kuroda

The Tomyam Pladib Seminar on Japanese contemporary art and culture is a one-day seminar that will feature presentations by three renowned curators and a specialist on Japanese contemporary arts and culture.

Alex Kerr, an American scholar and writer who writes on Japanese culture (“Lost Japan”), will share his observations and comments on his experiences in Japan and Thailand. From an outsider’s perspective, Kerr will discuss Japanese and Thai cultural traditions in their economic and social contexts.

Three Japanese curators will give lectures on the phenomenon of Japanese contemporary art, its booming market and current trends. Three distinguished curators have confirmed their participation: Yuko Hasekawa, Chief curator, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; Mami Kataoka, Senior Curator, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo and Hayward Gallery, London; and Raiji Kuroda, Chief Curator, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka.

Please note that the program is limited to 80 guests. Reservations will be made in advance.

The program is partially funded by the Japan Foundation, Bangkok. (The Program will be in English with Thai translation)

Symposium Program:

9:30 Registration

9:50 Opening Speech by Director of the Japan Foundation,
Bangkok

10:00 - 12:00 Lost Japan / Bangkok Found
Speaker: Alex Kerr
(Including a 30 minute Question and Answer session)

12:00 - 1:45 Buffet Lunch at Thompson Bar and Restaurant

2:00 - 3:30 Japan Contemporary Art and Culture
Speakers:
- Yuko Hasekawa, Chief curator, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo,
- Mami Kataoka, Senior Curator, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo and Hayward Gallery, London
- Raiji Kuroda, Chief Curator, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka

3:30 - 3:45 Coffee Break

3:45 - 4:15 Question and Answer session

4:15 – 4:30 Closing speech by the Artistic Director of The Jim Thompson
Art Center

MAY

WEAVING THE UNSOLVED RIDDLES
A WORKSHOP BY JARUPATCHA ACHAVASMIT
Date: Saturday, May 10th
Time: 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Venue: William Warren Library, Henry B. Thompson Building
Workshop Leader: Jarupatcha Achavasmit

The workshop of Jarupatcha Achavasmit, a textile artist at the Tomyam Pladib exhibition, will invite participants to explore and express life riddles in a form of writing and weaving. Participants will be invited to write the unsolved riddles on pieces of paper which will be folded, again and again, and hand woven on a tapestry frame. Participants will decide the shape, size and the colors of their ‘art’. The frame will then be placed into a glass box and permanently sealed.

The workshop is opened to 30 participants (age 12 years old or over). For further information on how to join this program, please contact Khun Somsuda, the Education Program Coordinator, The Jim Thompson Art Center at 02 612 6741 or 02 219 2911 or [email protected].

(The program will be in Thai with English translation)


RYOTA VS PRABDA
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN RYOTA SUZUKI AND PRABDA YOON
Date: Saturday, May 24th
Time: 1.30 – 3:30 p.m.
Venue: William Warren Library, Henry B. Thompson Building

Ryota Suzuki, a Bangkok based Japanese columnist, will team up with Prabda Yoon, a SEA WRITE laureate, to talk about their perspectives towards Japan and Thailand and share their experiences as persons who have had a chance to live in both countries.

(The program will be in Thai)

ALL TIME ACTIVITIES

CHILDREN€™S PROGRAM: €˜EVERYONE LIKES SOMEONE AS YOU LIKE SOMEONE€™
BY TSUYOSHI OZAWA
Tsuyoshi Ozawa is a prominent Japanese artist who often works with communication, participatory installation and cultural exchange in a humorous manner. He invites children to participate in his artwork “Everyone likes someone as you like someone”, a mountain-sized pile of futon cushions exclusively installed in the Jim Thompson Art Center. Children can sit down or climb up over the mountain and draw postcard pictures of their loved ones. Their drawings will be swapped for one made by a child in Australia where the project was presented last time in the 2006 Asia Pacific Triennial. Tsuyoshi Ozawa will later use drawings left at the exhibition in his future projects.

DOCENT SERVICE PROGRAM
The Docent Service Program aims to provide a better understanding of the Tomyam Pladib exhibition to a wider audience through public presentations. The program will have university juniors or seniors whose interests are art and culture to participate as exhibition guides at the art center for general visitors, school and university groups.

A CURATOR’S WALK
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION WITH GRIDTHIYA GAWEEWONG
Gridthiya Gaweewong, the curator of Tomyam Pladib exhibition, will give detailed information about the artworks exhibited in this fascinating exhibition. The video document of this program will be showed daily at the exhibition hall of the Jim Thompson Art Center during the exhibition period.

For more information please contact:
Ms. Somsuda Piamsumrit
Education Program Co-ordinator The Jim Thompson Art Center
Tel : 02 612 6741
Fax : 02 219 2911
[email protected] or [email protected]

A Short Season of Contemporary Filipino Films

March 3 to 7, 2008
At The Alliance Française
138, Charoen Prathet Road - Chiang Mai

2 Sessions every day: 5:00 p.m. and 8 p.m.
(30 Baht per person per session contribution towards the cost of room hire and advertising.)

All the films are subtitled in English. One short and one full length film per session.
Shorts are approximately 20 minutes in length - Full-length films are about 90 to 120 minutes.
All films will be introduced by Edward Delos Santos Cabagnot,
CCP Media Arts Director, Cinemalaya Festival Programmer and API Asian Cinema Researcher.

Schedule of Screenings
Monday, March 3rd 2008

Theme: New Pinoy [Filipino] Cinema

5:00 pm Session

Short film: MANSYON by Joel Ruiz (Cinemalaya 2005)

A middle-aged couple, Ambo and Dolores, are hired as caretakers of a large, opulent house for the duration of three months. The couple has fallen into a psychic rut, mechanically doing their housework. Until one day, Dolores finds a red perfume bottle...

Full-length film: BATAD: SA PAANG PALAY (Batad: At the Mountain's Edge) by Benjie Garcia & Vic Acedillo Jr. (2006)

Set in the picturesque Banawe highlands, a young dropout helps his family by selling vegetables in a local market. The only thing he yearns for is a pair of rubber sneakers. But destiny has other plans for him.

8:00 pm Session

Short film: KULTADO (Boiling Point) by Lawrence Fajardo (Best short Film, Cinemalaya 2005)

Life in a wet market in the provinces spells danger. A young vegetable vendor and his family are oppressed by the market thugs. But things always have a breaking point.

Full-length film: ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros) by Auraeus Solito & Michiko Yamamoto (2005) (Cinemalaya 2005)

An international film festival favourite - about a delicate young boy who falls in love with a handsome cop. Winner, 2006 Berlinale Kinder Festival.

Maxi (Nathan Lopez) is a 12-year-old effeminate gay boy who lives in the slums with his father and brothers who are petty thieves. The story primarily revolves around the conflict between his love for handsome young police officer Victor (J. R. Valentin), and his family's illegal livelihood. Neorealist in orientation, the film is a tale of lost innocence and redemption amidst the poverty of Manila's slums.
Maxi behaves like a girl, wearing clips in his hair and bangles on his wrists. He is teased by neighbors and former school friends. His sexuality is, however, fully accepted by his two brothers and by his father. One night he is accosted by two men who attempt to molest him, but his is saved by the appearance of Victor. Maxi develops on the young and handsome cop. But the latter's honesty soon gets him into trouble with Maxi's family.

The film was the official entry of the Philippines to the Academy Awards in March 2007. It holds the distinction of being one of the very few digital films released in 2005 to do well at the tills. Currently, it is still making the rounds of international film festivals.

Directed by Auraeus Solito. Writing credits : Michiko Yamamoto and Raymund Lee (through Cinemalaya Phililippine Independent Film Festival 2005 grant). Cast: Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz, J.R. Valentin, Ping Medina, Bodjie Pascua, Neil Ryan Sese and Pepe Smith. Produced by Raymond Lee. Line producer: Michiko Yamamoto. Original Music by Pepe Smith & Mike Villegas. Cinematography by Nap Jamir. Film Editing by Clarence Sison. Production Design by Clint Catalan Christina Dy Lily Esquillon. Camera and Electrical Department - Armin Collado, gaffer; Nor Domingo, gaffer; Pao Orendain, gaffer. Costume and Wardrobe Department: Jhek Cogama, stylist.

Awards - Asian First Film Festival: 2005 Swarovski Trophy - Best Film, Auraeus Solito. Berlin International Film Festival: 2006 Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk - Grand Prix Best Feature Film, Auraeus Solito; Glass Bear - Special Mention; Best Feature Film, Auraeus Solito; Teddy Best Feature Film, Auraeus Solito . Cinekid: 2006 Cinekid Film Award - Honorable Mention, Auraeus Solito. Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival: 2005 Balanghai Award; Best Production Design, Lily Esquillon; Special Citation, Nathan Lopez; Special Jury Prize, Auraeus Solito. Gawad Urian Awards: 2006 Gawad Urian Award, Best Cinematography (Pinakamahusay na Sinematograpiya), Nap Jamir; Best Editing (Pinakamahusay na Editing), Clarence Sison & Auraeus Solito; Best Picture (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula); and Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula), Michiko Yamamoto. Golden Screen Awards, Philippines: 2006 Golden Screen Award; Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy), Soliman Cruz. Independent Spirit Awards: 2007 Nominated Independent Spirit Award; Best Foreign Film, Auraeus Solito Philippines. Las Palmas Film Festival: 2006 Audience Award, Auraeus Solito ; Best Actor, Nathan Lopez (Tied with Israel Gómez Romero for Leyenda del tiempo, La (2006)); Golden Lady Harimaguada, Auraeus Solito. Montréal World Film Festival: 2005 Montréal First Film Prize, Aureaus Solito. Rotterdam International Film Festival: 2006 Netpac Award, Auraeus Solito. Sundance Film Festival: 2006 Nominated Grand Jury Prize World Cinema – Dramatic, Auraeus Solito. Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: 2006 Best Feature Film, Auraeus Solito.

Tuesday, March 4th 2008

Theme: The Filipino & Nature

5:00 pm Session

Short film: ROLYO (Film Roll) by Alvin Yapan (Cinemalaya 2007)

A farming family supports themselves in between harvests by catching birds and selling them each Sunday outside a provincial church.

Full-length film: BIYAYA NG LUPA (Blessings of the Land) - directed by Manuel Silos, produced in 1959. (Film Classic 1959)

This film represents one the great works of the "classic age" of Philippine art cinema (the late fifties and early sixties). About the struggles of a simple farming family the film presents traditional Filipino social and cultural values at their best.

"Biyaya ng Lupa" (Blessings of the Land), begins with young married couple Maria (Rosa Rosal) and Jose (Tony Santos Sr.) overseeing a lanzones orchard with their children Miguel (Leroy Salvador), Arturo (Carlos Padilla Jr), Angelita (Marita Zobel), and Lito (Danilo Jurado). The eldest, Miguel, is a deaf-mute. Just about everything is smooth in their lives and joy is never absent in their household. But when feared and tough widower Bruno (Joseph de Cordova) slowly slithers into their lives, their once peaceful life turns upside down. Little did the family of Maria and Jose, such tribulation will pave a new energy for their family to move on with life.
Produced and released theatrically by LVN in 1959, Biyaya ng Lupa became the well-deserved winner of FAMAS Best Picture 1960, Best Story and screenplay, Best Supporting Actor. Decades later, this work was honored the 1979 Natatanging Gawad Urian for Manuel Silos, and the FAP Lifetime Achievement 1985. It gained international fame for its nomination for the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1960 and at the Asian Film Festival also in 1960 held in Tokyo where the late Leroy Salvador won the award for Best Supporting Actor.

Directed by Manuel Silos. Writing credits: Celso Al Carunungan, story and screenplay; Pablo Naval, screenplay; Pablo Naval, story . Cast (in credits order) - Rosa Rosal, Leroy Salvador, Tony Santos Sr, Carmencita Abad, Carlos Padilla Jr, Marita Zobel, Joseph De Cordova, Danilo Jurado and Mila Ocampo. Original Music by Juan Silos Jr.

8:00 pm Session

Short film: GABON (Cloud) by Emmanuel Dela Cruz

The mystifying tale of a Muslim lass who is determined to attend her classes... no matter what. (Cinemalaya 2007)

Full-length film: ANG DAAN PATUNGONG KALIMUGTONG (The Road to Kalimugtong) by Mes Guzman (2006)

A simple yet stunning cinematic feat: two children in a remote mountain barrio must trek to school two hours each day. Cinemalaya 2006 & 2007 Exhibition Film (Award-Winning Film, 2006)

Two Igorot siblings living with their invalid grandfather and jobless brothers traverse the mountain fastness in order to get to school everyday. They brave rough terrain, deep forests, roaring rivers and precarious hanging bridge to be able to make it to school and learn the day’s lessons.

For Jinky and Potpot, life in Benguet is simply a trek to and from school. Every day, together with other children, they have to cross mountains, rivers and hanging bridges to get to their destination. They survive thanks to the work of their elder brothers, Manong Ramil and Manong Ronaldo, who inherited the task of looking after their siblings and grandfather on their parents' death. Both work for a mining company, leaving the younger brothers in their grandfather's care. But the elder brothers haven't been back for months. The neighbors think they may have been buried in a mine landslide. While waiting for news, the kids and their grandfather try to subsist on the herbs growing in their backyard. Meanwhile, they continue to pray for their brothers' safety and their own salvation.

Sampay Bakod Productions, 89 mins. Screenplay - Mes De Guzman. Photography (colour) - Albert Banzon. Editing - Mes De Guzman, Arasaw Kurabokov. Music - Bernard “Nio” Manzano. Sound - Bob Macabenta. Cast - Analyn Bang Si-Il, Rhenuel Ordono, Hallen Sumingwa, Jay Bassing. Production - Ramon De Guzman.

Year of production – 2005. Running time 87’. Format DV.

About the Director: Mes De Guzman is an independent film director and scriptwriter living in the Philippines. He has won four Don Carlos Palanca Awards for his scripts and the 2004 NCCA Grand Prize for his first novel Rancho Dyanggo. He made three films, all of them were screened at international festivals, the 35mm short film Batang Trapo (2001) was awarded at the festival in Marrakech and won the Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema at the Cine Manila International Film Festival. The Road to Kalimugtong got the Special Mention in San Sebastian, 11 nominations at Gawad Urian, winning the prize for Best Director and Best Production Design, and won the 2nd Prize for Best Picture in Manila.

Wednesday, March 5th 2008

Theme: Love, Death & Memory

5:00 pm Session

Short film: NINEBALL by Enrico Aragon (Special Jury Prize, Cinemalaya 2007)

Cited for “its hilarious and satiric take on the national pastime, billiards, and its engaging characterization.”

Full-length film: DONSOL by Adolf Alix (2006) (Cinemalaya 2006)

Love blossoms in a small fishing town —Donsol— that is also the sanctuary to the endangered butanding (whale sharks). Daniel, a young tourist guide, meets the beautiful yet melancholy Teresa from Manila. Beautiful spots and landscapes ot the smal coastal town of Donsol, Sorsogon.

8:00 pm Session

Short film: DOBLE VISTA (Double Vision) by Nix Lanas, Nisha Alicer & Caren Crisologo (Cinemalaya 2007)

A witty and visually exciting tribute to Godard and the Nouvelle Vague centering on a lovelorn writer and his mystery lady.

Full-length film: TULAD NG DATI (Same As Before) by Michael Sandejas (2006) (Cinemalaya 2006)

A tribute to the legendary 80’s Pinoy rock band, The Dawn, and played by the band members themselves. Jet Pangan, the band vocalist is hit on the head by a burglar... and finds himself losing his memory and retracing the memories of his past.

Thursday, March 6th 2008

Theme: Living in the City (1)

5:00 pm Session

Short film: BABAE (Woman) by Sigrid Bernardo (Cinemalaya 2005)

Two disparate (and desperate) girls are brought together by fate. As they grow up in the slums of Manila, they find solace in each other’s company. And this develops into something much deeper.

Full-length film: INSIANG - directed by national artist Lino Brocka, produced in 1976. (Film Classic, 1976)

"The first Filipino film to show at the Cannes Film Festival is set in the slums of Manila. A beautiful girl gets taken advantage of by her mother's lover, and then learns how to exact revenge." This is a favourite Brocka work and exemplifies what he is best known for - eliciting great performances from his actors (Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa and Ruel Vernal), tight dramatic plot-lines, social realism.

8:00 pm Session

Full-length film: MANILA BY NIGHT - directed by Ishmael Bernal, produced in 1981.

This film essays the dark side of life in Imelda Marcos' city of the "true, the good and the beautiful". During its time it was known as the film which made Imelda furious and was heavily censored for its public release. This is the integral version of the Cultural Center of the Philippines!

"Manila By Night is director Ishmael Bernal's and possibly Philippine Cinema's best work. Recognized locally and abroad, it probes the city's depravity and exposes its strangeness through a string of characters played by the most competent actors of its time.

Lorna Tolentino, Alma Moreno, Gina Alajar, Rio Locsin, Cherie Gil, Mitch Valdez, Charito Solis, Orestes Ojeda, William Martinez and Bernardo Bernardo play an ensemble of desperate characters trapped between the city's lure of a better life and its dark and ghastly ways of providing for its residents. The impoverished women pin their hopes on the city and the men lure them into prostitution, drugs and crime.

Ironically, while they seem to ruin one another's lives, they also become each other's best chances for hope and survival. The drug-pushing lesbian played by Cherie Gil finds solace in the blind sauna bath employee played by Rio Locsin who in turn is led across the dismal streets of Manila by the gay couturier played by Bernardo Bernardo.

Manila by Night is a keen look into the social problems affecting Manila's underworld. With its controversial bold visual imagery, it is a brilliant reflection of the reality that the Filipino has yet to confront." (From: kabayancentral.com)

Friday, March 7th 2008

Theme: Living in the City (2)

5:00 pm Session

Short film: PUTOT (Small Fry) by Jeck Cogama (Cinemalaya 2006)

A young boy cares for his mentally challenged father in a slum area that is about to be demolished. While trying to make a living selling shellfish, he meets Mayang, a girl slightly older than him. Soon he finds himself enamoured with the lass.

Full-length film: KUBRADOR (The Bet Collector) by Jeffrey Jeturian (Cinemalaya 2006 Opening Film) (Award-Winning Film, 2006)

The movie chronicles three days in the life of Amelita, a kubrador (bookie) for the illegal numbers game jueteng. She continues to collect bets from her regular patrons every day despite a government crackdown on the game. One day, she is apprehended by the police. She joins other kubradors in the police station until their protector bails them out.
The following morning, Amelita returns to the streets and continues her illegal activities. She meets the parish priest, who informs her of a young neighbor's sudden accidental death. He asks her to collect donations from neighbors and friends. Then, a series of events turns her mundane existence into a perplexing game of life, luck and death.

Director: Jeffrey Jeturian. Screenplay: Joel Jover. Cinematography: Roberto Yniguez. Editing: Jay Halili. Music: Jerrold Tarog. Production Design: Leo Abaya. Production: Joji Alonso / MLR Film. Cast: Gina Pareño, Soliman Cruz, Nanding Josef, Johnny Manahan, Domingo Landicho, Jhong Del Rosario, Nico Antonio and Fonz Deza. 98 minutes.
Awards (Main) - Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2006 Opening Film (World Premiere). Cinemanila International Film Festival: LINO BROCKA AWARD (Grand Prize). Moscow International Film Festival 2006: FIPRESCI (International Critic's Award). Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema: FIPRESCI (International Critic's Award) Best Actress for Gina Pareño; Best Film. 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival: Nominee - Best ASEAN film. Cinema Evaluation Board - Rated A.