One of the most celebrated festivals in the Filipino-Chinese community is back this year, with more films about love, family, culture, and community promoting Chinese culture and language to the Philippine community.
The 13th Spring Film Festival runs from tomorrow, Jan. 30, to Feb. 5 featuring seven full-length films and kicking off in the newest premier cineplex of the Metro, Red Carpet in Shangri-La Plaza.
For 13 years now, Ateneo De Manila University Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies, together with Shangri-La Plaza, has been bringing the Filipino-Chinese community together through a series of film screenings that introduce Chinese films to the country. The event is made possible also with the help of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Ateneo Celadon, ChinoyTV, and Credit Suisse.
Tackling love, family, community, the past, and many other interesting topics, these award-winning films are a great opportunity for everyone to appreciate not just the diverse culture of every country, but the importance of relationships that are strengthened through awareness of language and culture as well.
Based on the real story of Jackie Chan’s parents, A Tale of Three Cities shows how they fell in love, were separated due to the Chinese Civil War, and reunited in Hong Kong.
From the romantic-drama genre, the festival will showcase I Belonged to You, the story of a broken-hearted DJ and his new intern who he falls in love with.
Guests will also be able to watch Lost in White, a movie whose plot revolves around the finding of a corpse that leads two detectives to way more than just a regular murder investigation.
And from the romantic genre, The Third Way of Love features the union of a rich man and an intelligent woman.
From the mystery genre, Detective Chinatown portrays how a man is falsely accused of murder–and his daring resolve to find the true killers.
Last but not least, the comedy film Lost in Hong Kong features a married middle-aged man who tries to reconnect with his first love at university, only to be stopped by a murder investigation.
The film festival will run for a week at the newest movie house in Shangri-La Plaza—Red Carpet—for a better viewing experience.
To further celebrate Chinese culture, and as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, Shangri-La Plaza will be presenting Chinese Costumes on the Catwalk, a fashion show showcasing traditional Chinese attire, also tomorrow, Jan. 30, at the Grand Atrium.
On Feb. 3 artists will be holding a Chinese Painting Workshop at the Grand Atrium for those who want to dabble in the delicate art.
For inquiries about the Spring Film Festival, you may call Ateneo De Manila University at 426-6001 local 5208 or 5284. For other inquiries, please call Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet at 370-2578. Admission for all events is free.