Lovers of the cinematic arts will troop once more to the Cultural Center of The Philippines as the curtains are raised for Cinemalaya 18: Breaking Through The Noise, with eleven full-length feature films ready to dazzle, intrigue, and surprise the audience from August 5 to 14.
Multi-awarded film director and Cinemalaya’s Main Competition and Monitoring Chair Jose Javier Reyes declares:
“What these filmmakers experienced is nothing short of ridiculous and downright amazing. They made their filmsduring the height of the pandemic. They are survivors because… oh, no, no, no no! That’s not correct. They’re more than survivors.”
“These are the passionate filmmakers who had to work so hard to get their voices and their visions brought right back to the main theater of the CCP. And regardless of who among them should win, they should be honored for being the true passionate Filipino filmmakers,” Reyes added.
The crème dela crème of filmmakers in Cinemalaya’s debutant season are: Ma-an L. Asuncion’s Blue Room starring JK Labajo, Elijah Canlas, Harvey Bautista, Nourijune, Keoni Jin, Ricardo Cepeda, and Soliman Cruz; Real S. Florido’s Bakit Di Mo Sabihin starring Janine Gutierrez, JC de Vera, Divine Aucina, Shing Gener, and RJ Agustin; Rainerio Yamson II’s Angkas with Joem Bascon, Benjamin Alves, Meryll Soriano, and Jolo Estrada in the cast; Anna Isabelle Matutina’s 12 Weeks featuring Max Eigenmann, Bing Pimentel, Vance Larena, and Claudia Enriquez; TM Malones’s Kargo topbilled by Max Eigenmann, Jess Mendoza, Myles Robles, and Ronnie Lazaro; Milo Alto Paz and Cynthia Cruz Paz’s Retirada bannered by Peewee O’Hara, Jerry O’Hara, Donna Cariaga, Dexter Doria, and Nanding Josef; Carlo Obispo’s The Baseball Player that stars Tommy Alejandrino, JM San Jose, Sue Prado, Tess Antonio, and Joel Saracho; Roman Perez Jr.’s Kaluskos starring Coleen Garcia, Cara Gonzales, Elora Españo, Karl Medina, and Queenzy Calma; Christian Paolo Lat’s Ginhawa billed by Andrew Ramsay, Ruby Ruiz, Dido de la Paz, Rolando Inocencio, Kiko Matos, and Chanel Latorre; Sheenly Gener’s Bula sa Langit with cast members Gio Gahol, Kate Alejandrino, AIR; and Ronald Espinosa’s Batsoy starring Ethan Sean Sotto, Markko Cambas, Karen Laurrie Mendoza, Nathan J. Sotto, and Jonalie Asdolo.
Aside from the CCP, the competing films are up for screening in select partner cinemas nationwide from August 10 to 17 and in selected regional communities from August 22 to 29. The online run of the films is from October 17 to 31 via the CCP Vimeo account.
The opening night film this year is Leonor Will Never Die (Ang Pagbabalik Ng Kuwago) by Marika Perez Escobar. The closing films are documentaries entitled We Don’t Dance for Nothing by director Stefanos Tai, and Delikado by Karl Malakunas.
The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on August 14 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.
Without a doubt, Cinemalaya, has remained true to its mission and vision to discover, encourage and support cinematic works of upcoming and seasoned Filipino filmmakers who boldly articulate and freely interpret the Philippine experience with fresh insight, heart, and soul as depicted and presented in the motion pictures in competition and exhibition.
Since its inception in 2005, Cinemalaya has built its reputation as the Philippines’ most prestigious independent film festival and has showcased over 1,000 works from the best and brightest Filipino filmmakers.