Showcasing a special selection of cinematic gems, these five films from across the globe which have garnered its share of international awards also take the spotlight for this year’s edition.
As part of its goal to feature classic to recent titles from China, Austria, France, and Denmark, and Japan, Qcinema will present films in its “Special Screening” section An Elephant Sitting Still, Tomcat, The Prayer, Ala Changso and Come On, Irene from Oct. 21 to 30.
An Elephant Sitting Still captures the story of four residents of a northern Chinese town in one single suspenseful day from dawn to dusk. The protagonists become obsessed in trying escaping from their problematic life when the train to Manzhouli is set to depart.
This electrifying directorial debut from Hu Bo is a four-hour portrait of a society of egoists. An Elephant Sitting Still gained critical acclaim and was the Forum FIPRESCI Prize winner at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival.
An Elephant Sitting Still propelled the popularity of Hu but tragically, after completing his first feature, the director ended his life at the age of 29.
In Tomcat, Andreas (Phillip Hochmair) and Stefan (Lukas Turtur) lead a happy life with their beloved tomcat, Moses. An unexpected and inexplicable outburst of violence suddenly shakes up the relationship and calls everything into question.
The Austrian drama directed by Klaus Händl won the Teddy Award as the best LGBT-related feature film at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.
Cédric Kahn’s The Prayer is about the story of a drug addict named Thomas (Anthony Bajon) who joins a community of former addicts who live isolated in the mountains and use prayer as a way to cure themselves.
Bajon won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival.
Japanese filmmaker Keisuke Yoshida shows the unconventional life a married man in Come On, Irene, a live-action film based on the manga Irene of Love from Hideki Arai.
The story is about Iwao Shishido (Ken Yasuda) who finds a wife after paying three million yen for a bridal tour to the Philippines. He comes back home and is confronted by Tsuru (Hana Kino) – Iwao’s freshly widowed mother, who’s infuriated her loser son has married a woman she’s never met.
Director Yoshia held auditions in the Philippines for the role of Irene, the main actress, in which Cebuana Natiliegh Sitoy was eventually cast.
Sonthar Gyal’s psychological drama Ala Changso explores a fractured family who undertakes the grueling trek to the holy city of Lhasa on foot.
Ala Changso won the Jury Grand Prize and Best Screenplay Award at the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival 2018
The “Special Screening” section of QCinema will be shown at Gateway Mall (Cineplex 10); Robinsons Galleria (Robinsons Movieworld); and Ayala Malls Cinema in Trinoma and U.P. Town Center.
Block screenings are welcome. Email festival@qcinema.ph or visit https://www.facebook.com/QCinemaPH/ for more details.
