In recognition and celebration of the 100 Years of Philippine Cinema, the Philippines has been announced as the Country of Focus of the 23rd BUSAN International Film Festival.
As part of the official announcement by the organizers, Philippine Cinema will be highlighted in a number of activities and events during the Festival whose delegation will be headed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
FDCP leads the country in one of the biggest film festivals in Asia and the world, bringing in a huge delegation composed of filmmakers and producers who will be participating at the film market, film exhibitions, special screenings and talks as part of the celebration.
“We cannot stress how great of an honor it is to be selected as the Country of Focus in Busan just in time for our centennial. More than highlighting our cinema, being the Country of Focus means greater exposure for our filmmakers and more platforms for us to showcase this work,” said FDCP Chairperson Liza Diño during the agency’s send-off press conference for Busan delegates last week.
“Our target for our next hundred years is to go global not just through the prestige of being in festivals but in finding opportunities for coproduction and distribution, and Busan is the best place to start because it offers both when it comes to film market, festival, culture and industry,” Diño added.
Busan’s Special Program focusing on the Philippines will feature ten Filipino classics in Retrospective.
Entitled Cinema as a Response to the Nation, the lineup includes A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino directed by (1965), Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? directed by Eddie Romero (1976), Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos directed by Mario O’Hara (1976), Ang Panday directed by Fernando Poe, Jr. (1980), Cain at Abel directed by Lino Brocka (1982), Moral directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1982), Himala directed by Ishmael Bernal (1982), Bayaning 3rd World directed by Mike De Leon (2000), Dekada‘70 directed by Chito S. Roño (2002) and Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria directed by Remton Siega Zuasola (2010).
This program was curated with the help and support of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Commission on Cinema, head of Subcommission on the Arts, Teddy Co, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member Tito Valiente, screenwriter, director and author Doy Del Mundo, and professor and film historian Nick de Ocampo of Center for New Cinema and UPFI.
These films were provided through the assistance given by FPJ Restoration, ABS-CBN Restoration, Cinema One Originals and Solar Films with special thanks to award-winning director, Mike De Leon.
The 23rd Busan International Film Festival will run until Oct. 13 in Busan, South Korea.