Philippines goes to 29th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is the national agency under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for film policies and programs to ensure the economic, cultural, and educational development of the Philippine film industry. It aims for the following:

To create policies to support the growth of the Philippine film industry

To develop the industry through education and trainings

To provide incentives to encourage production of quality films

To promote Phiippine Cinema locally and internationally

To provide platforms and venues to showcase Philippine Cinema

To preserve our cinematic heritage

FDCP envisions a globally competitive film industry that contributes to the economic development of the country while championing our culture and heritage.

It currently manages an audiovisual film fund that supports different stages of filmmaking to encourage the film industry to create quality films for domestic and international distribution.

Created in 1995, Festival International des Cinémas d’Asie is the oldest European Asian Film Festival, presently the sole French Asian Film Festival and the sole European Film Festival to focus on the entire Asian Continent from Near to Far East. A section of the 29th Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinema will be devoted to Philippine cinema. The festival will take place from 28 February to 7 March 2023.

COMPETITION

(COMPETITION LONGS METRAGES DE FICTION)

FEAST

By Brillante Mendoza (2022)

SYNOPSIS

A hit-and-run accident transpires between Rafael, the son of a prominent businessman, and MATIAS, a tricycle driver wherein Matias, unfortunately, succumbs to his death. Rafael’s father, ALFREDO, sacrifices himself in place of Rafael when NITA, the widow, files a criminal case against them. Alfredo willingly pleads guilty and is sent to prison. Before parting, Alfredo instructs Rafael to make amends with Nita. At his father’s instruction, Rafael employs Nita and her eldest son, TOPE, at Alfredo’s family restaurant, intertwining both families. Through the years, Rafael earns Nita and Tope’s trust, however, Rafael is burdened with guilt – for keeping the truth from Nita and for having Alfredo suffer the consequences of his mistake. Emotionally imprisoned, Rafael wishes to liberate himself and Nita by finally confessing the truth.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 4, 20:30 | Cinema Majestic 5

MARCH 5, 10:00 | Cinema Majestic 5

AvAntPREMIÈRE

WHEN THE WAVES ARE GONE

By Lav Diaz (2022)

SYNOPSIS

Lt. Hermes Papauran, one of the best investigators of the Philippines, is in a deep moral crossroad, being a witness to his institution’s being a party to a murderous anti-drug campaign, which is spearheaded by no less than the president of the country, Rodrigo Duterte.

The moment Duterte sat as the new president of the Philippines in the year 2016, his biggest act was launching his so-called war against drugs, shocking the world for its brutality and the ensuing human rights abuses. Extra-judicial killings attributed to drugs have become rampant and most of the crimes are connected to the police.

The atrocities are corroding Lt. Papauran physically and spiritually. He suffers from severe psoriasis, a skin disease resulting from insidious anxiety. A dark past haunts him and it has eventually and literally come back for a reckoning, for a closure.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 1, 9:00 | Cinema Majestic 2

MARCH 4, 9:00 | Cinema Majestic 2

A

LOOK AT

PHILIPPINE CINEMA RETROSPECTIVE

TATLONG TAONG WALANG DIYOS

By Mario O’Hara (1976)

SYNOPSIS

World War II shatters the idyllic life of Rosario, a schoolteacher, and her beau Crispin, a soldier called to duty to fight against the invading Japanese army. Capt. Masugi, a Philippine-born Japanese, chances upon Rosario’s house. Having too much to drink, Masugi rapes her. The spiteful Rosario becomes pregnant and angrily rejects Masugi’s gifts and courtship although due to his persistence, she eventually develops a love for the Japanese officer and agrees to marry him. Believing they are Japanese collaborators, the townspeople become hostile towards Rosario and her family. With the return of American forces to the Philippines, Masugi and Rosario’s family must now flee as the Japanese start to withdraw from occupied areas.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 5, 20:30 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 6, 9:45 | Cinema Majestic 3

NUNAL SA TUBIG

By Ishmael Bernal (1976)

SYNOPSIS

In the impoverished village of Sta. Fe, some investors capitalize on fish pens growing milkfish under the care of Mang Pedro (Ruben Rustia). But for some mysterious reason, the fish are dying. To save the situation, they decide to salt the fish and dry them under the sun. Benjamin (George Estregan), who owns a boat that shuttles passengers to town, has a regular passenger Chedeng (Daria Ramirez), who is going to be a midwife soon. Chedeng has a close friend and neighbor Maria (Elizabeth Oropesa), but unknown to each other, they are both Benjamin’s lovers. When Maria becomes pregnant, she becomes Chedeng’s first patient and a disastrous situation that ends in tragedy ensues.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 1, 13:45 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 2, 18:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MABABANGONG BANGUNGOT

By Kidlat Tahimik (1977)

SYNOPSIS

Kidlat lives in a small town that can only be entered and exited through one narrow bridge. He drives a jeepney, one of those « war vehicles changed into life vehicles » in his own words. He dreams of emigrating to the United States and becoming an astronaut. He fantasizes about an idealized West although the movie also conveys an affectionate portrait of his province’s popular culture. With the help of an American, he drives his jeepney to Europe and especially to Paris, France, where there are still greengrocers and also bridges. So many bridges!

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 6, 18:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 7, 15:30 | Cinema Majestic 3

CAIN AT ABEL

By Lino Brocka (1982)

SYNOPSIS

Doña Pina is a despotic mother who favors her younger son Elis over Lorenz, consequently promoting sibling rivalry between the brothers. Doña Pina lets Elis study in Manila while she makes Lorenz work their farm. She loves Elis’ bastard son with their maid while she is stern with Lorenz’s children. Then Elis comes home with Cita, the woman he plans to marry, and with a desire to have the farm. Asked to give way, Lorenz leaves with his family and stays with friends. But Lorenz’s indignant wife Becky confronts her mother-in-law about the unfairness and the ensuing struggle leads to her miscarriage and death. Urged by friends, the tension between brothers Elis and Lorenz grows into an armed conflict.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 4, 14:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 5, 18:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

DEKADA ‘70

By Chito S. Roño (2002)

SYNOPSIS

Despite their distinct differences, the Bartolomes are struggling to keep their family intact during the dark times of Martial Law. Amanda is a mother of five children who is also trying to find her identity and purpose as a wife, a mother, and a woman. Julian, Amanda’s conventional and domineering husband, insists that Amanda observe her place as a woman in their family of boys. Jules is Amanda’s eldest son who is in constant hiding for taking part in the militant struggle against the government. Eman, on the other hand, is Amanda’s quiet son who covertly writes against the current administration. The playful Gani, meanwhile, enlists with the US military. And Jason, Amanda’s adventurous son, is caught by corrupt police which leads to tragic consequences.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 3, 9:45 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 4, 18:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MA’ROSA

By Brillante Mendoza (2016)

SYNOPSIS

Ma’ Rosa has four children. She owns a small convenient store in a poor neighborhood of Manila where everybody likes her. To make ends meet, Rosa and her husband, Nestor, resell small amounts of narcotics on the side. One day, they get arrested. Rosa’s children are ready to do anything to buy their parents’ freedom from the corrupt police.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 1, 18:00 | Cinema Majestic 4

MARCH 2, 14:00 | Cinema Majestic 4

WOMEN OF THE WEEPING RIVER

By Sheron Dayoc (2016)

SYNOPSIS

Satra, a widow, is caught in an escalating blood feud stretching back generations. She initially seeks vengeance for the death of her husband, but finds herself being convinced by Farida to leave the land after the death of her only child. Beyond the will of her family, she secretly meets up with the matriarch of the rival clan to seek possible reconciliation.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 3, 20:30 | Cinema Majestic 10

MARCH 5, 14:00 | Cinema Majestic 10

NEOMANILA

By Mikhail Red (2017)

SYNOPSIS

As a violent war on drugs is waged in present-day Manila, a notorious vigilante death squad recruits a teenage orphan named Toto. The orphan soon forms a maternal relationship with the vigilante group’s matriarch Irma, who also works as a pest exterminator during the day. Irma and Toto’s loyalties are ultimately put to the test when one of the targets in their kill list turns out to be a familiar face.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 3, 14:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 4, 16:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

BLACK RAINBOW

By Zig Dulay (2022)

SYNOPSIS

An important decision has been made for the future of ITAN, 12, an Aeta. He was told to quit school to help his father in planting mountain crops as they saved up for the delivery of his pregnant mother. Then the young boy found a flicker of hope when he learned about a scholarship opportunity that he could possibly receive on two crucial conditions. First, he had to learn how to operate a computer, and second, he had to convince his father to allow him return to school—only then he would be able to realize his long-time goal to read through all the documents the Ayta community had been receiving. Only then he could understand why they were being forced to give up ancestral lands up in the mountain to give way for mining.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 1, 15:00 | Théâtre François-Villon

MARCH 2, 12:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 4, 12:00 | Cinema Majestic 4

THE

FOREIGN EYE ON THE PHILIPPINES

METRO MANILA

By Sean Ellis (2013)

SYNOPSIS

Seeking a better life, Oscar Ramirez and his family leave the northern mountains of the Philippines to move to Metro Manila. As an easy target in this ruthless city, Oscar will have to risk everything for his loved ones.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 1, 10:00 | Cinema Majestic 3

MARCH 5, 10:00 | Cinema Majestic 2

BLANKA

By Kohki Hasei (2015)

SYNOPSIS

11-year-old Blanka, a both charming and determined little girl, begs and steals from tourists in the streets of Manila to survive. She has no family. One day, in one of the shop windows, she sees a TV report on a famous actress who has adopted a little girl. An idea suddenly flashes into her mind: perhaps, if she could buy a mother, she could also have a house and go to school.

She meets Peter, a blind street musician who makes a living from the music that Blanka loves. One day, she starts singing with him and realizes that she has other skills than stealing. Their life quickly improves, but Peter believes that Blanka would be better off living in an orphanage.

SCREENING SCHEDULE

MARCH 7, 20:30 | Théâtre Edwige Feuillère

PHILIPPINE DAY 29TH VESOUL AT THE

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF ASIAN CINEMA

MARCH 4, SATURDAY

10:00 | LA BAMBOUSERAIE

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON PHILIPPINE CINEMA

A discussion about the current state of Philippine Cinema, young generation of Filipino filmmakers and the restoration of heritage films.

Moderator: Flavien Poncet

22:30 | LA BAMBOUSERAIE

PHILIPPINE CINEMA NIGHT

MIKHAIL RED Director, Neomanila SHERON DAYOC Director, Women of the Weeping River

ZIG DULAY Director, Black Rainbow

LEO KATIGBAK Head, ABS-CBN Restoration

RICA AREVALO Head, Education Division, FDCP

PHILIPPINE DELEGATES

MIKHAIL RED

Director, Neomanila Member, International Jury

SHERON DAYOC

Director, Women of the Weeping River President, Marc Haaz Jury

Director, Black Rainbow

Head, ABS-CBN Restoration

ZIG DULAY

LEO KATIGBAK

WHO TO CONTACT IN FDCP?

TIRSO S. CRUZ III Chairman and CEO occeo@fdcp.ph

DANIEL DAVID MORALES Executive Director III danmorales@fdcp.ph

JO ANDREW TORLAO Head / Project Development Officer IV Festivals Division jotorlao@fdcp.ph

MARTINA MACALANDA Program Officer Festivals Division martinamacalanda.fdcp@gmail.com

MICAH BACCAY Program Officer Festivals Division micahbaccay@fdcp.ph