MANILA opens 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival
“MANILA” IS OPENING FILM OF 2009 CINEMALAYA FILM FESTIVAL
MANILA directed by prize-winning directors Adolfo B. Alix Jr. and Raya Martin, will open the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition on July 17, 7:30 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).
This will be the film’s Philippine premiere after its successful screenings in the 62nd Festival de Cannes and the 31st Moscow International Film Festival. Piolo Pascual co-produced and stars in this film which pays tribute to great Filipino directors Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.
The film features Pascual in two different roles. In the first episode, he plays William, a drug addict, who tries to
reconnect his ties with people close to him---a fair-weathered girlfriend, an unforgiving mother who has a secret past, and a comatosed matron lover he wants nothing to do with. Slowly, as night falls, he learns that there is no one left to trust, not even his own self. In the second part, he essays the role of Philip, who works as a bodyguard for the mayor’s son. He thinks his boss considers him family but after a shooting incident discovers his real worth to his boss. As he struggles to hide, he is slowly being consumed by the claws of darkness lurking in the city. In between the two episodes, Lav Diaz shoots a romantic film.
Manila boasts of a powerful cast- a mix of some of the country’s best actors including Rosanna Roces, Jay Manalo, Alessandra de Rossi, Baron Geisler, Iza Calzado, Angelica Panganiban, Jiro Manio, William Martinez, Anita Linda, Marissa Delgado, Menggie Cobarrubias, John Lapus, Katherine Luna, Aleck Bovick and Jon Avila. The film’ screenplay was written by Ramon Sarmiento and Alix, who opened last year’s Cinemalaya with Adela. Alix’s first film, Donsol, and Kadin were both past Cinemalaya finalists. 
Raya Martin, whose other film Independencia was also screened in this year’s Cannes Film festival, is also honored as one of the 13 Artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
The Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition, now on its fifth year and billed Cinemalaya Cinco, will unveil 20 new digital films that will compete from July 17-26 at the CCP. Competing in the full length catgory are 24K by Ana Agabin, Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin B. Yapan; Astig by GB Sampedro; Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros; Dinig Sana Kita by Mike E. Sandejas; Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno; Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel; Mangatyanan by Jerrold Tarog, Nerseri by Vic Acedillo, Jr. and Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco. Competing in the short film category are: Behind Closed Doors by Mark Philipp Espina, Blogog by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino, Bonsai by Alfonso “Borgy” K. Torre III, Hulagpos by Maita Lirra Lupac, Latus by John Paul S. Seniel, Musa by Dexter B. Cayanes, Si Bok at ang Trumpo by Hubert Tibi, Tatang by Jean Paolo “Nico” Hernandez, Ugat sa Lupa by Ariel Reyes and Wat Floor Ma’am by Mike Sandejas and Robert Seña.
Cinemalaya, in addition to the Competition films, will feature the following sections---World Premieres and NetPac films, Lino Brocka Retrospective, Kids’ Treats, Gay/Lesbian films, The City in Focus, Women in Indies, Off Center, Documentary and Ani: Best of Last Year. The Festival also includes the Cinemalaya Congress on July 21-22.
Cinemalaya is presented by the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments Inc. Cinemalaya is an all-digital film competition aimed at discovering new Filipino filmmakers.
For ticket information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 551-7930 or 832-1125 local 1800 to 1808 and the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or 832-1125 local 1409.