By Jude Bautista
THE Czech Republic and Mexican coproduced film Přijde Letos Ježíšek? (Little Baby Jesus) is set to open Cine Europa 18, as it heads to Cebu this week.
The festival, which will open on October 9 in Ayala Center Cebu, will feature 23 movies from 18 European countries that were initially screened in Metro Manila last month.
Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa Jr. said they are bringing the film to the Philippines because of the strong religious bond that both countries share.
“This time we are bringing quite an interesting film. It is a Czech-Mexican coproduction. What is so special why did we bring it to the Philippines? The centerpiece of the film is the Santo Niño de Prague. And I am very pleased this Czech film, which is named Little Jesus or Milagro En Prague, will be shown in Cine Europa Film Festival. Not surprisingly this film will open the festival in Cebu,” Olsa said.
Olsa also said they are bringing into the country the director of the film Lenka Kny to discuss the film with the movie going public.
The Santo Niño arrived to the Philippines in 1521 when Magellan discovered the Philippines. When the Spaniards landed at Cebu, they brought along the image of Santo Niño de Sevilla, which later became known as Santo Niño de Praga.
The Czech Embassy in Manila is well connected with the church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague. Thanks to its generosity, there are now five blessed genuine replicas of Santo Niño de Praga in the Philippines. The last one was donated to the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in the historical city of Vigan in February 2008.
Olsa noted the growing popularity of their country in the filming of international movies, including two installments of the Mission Impossible franchise and the Korean film Snowpiercer.
He also said that Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, played an important role in film history as it was the second biggest film studio in the 1930s after Berlin.
“For a small country of 10 million, the production of 30 to 40 feature films every year is quite remarkable,” Olsa said.
After Cebu, Cine Europa 18 will also be heading to Zamboanga City, Tacloban City, Davao City, Leyte and Cagayan de Oro.