JUN ROBLES Lana’s Shadow Behind the Moon (Anino sa Likod ng Buwan) was the biggest winner at the 2015 Pacific Meridien International Film Festival held in Vladivostok, Russia.
The film, set during the early 1990s amid the armed conflict between the military and communist forces in the Philippines, explores the complex lives and relationships of three different individuals who are all trying to resolve an untenable situation within and among themselves.
Lana was present at the awarding ceremonies to accept his Best Director award. He wrote on his social-media account, “My mind went blank when they called my name. The next thing I knew, I was onstage receiving the award from jury member and Academy Award winning director Regis Wargnier and getting a hug from actress Julia Ormond. Surreal!”
LJ Reyes bagged the Best Actress plum, and was cited for her “brave and fearless performance in depicting a very complex character that enabled the director to fulfill a most ambitious vision.”
The film, which also stars Anthony Falcon and Luis Alandy, was also accorded the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema and the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) prizes.
The other winners of the festival are as follows:
Best Feature Film Award: Brother Dejan, Russia/Serbia
Best Actor: Kristyan Ferrer, 600 Miles, Mexico/USA
Special Jury Award: Embrace the Serpent, Colombia
Audience Choice Award: The Norseman, Russia
Yul Brynner Award: Varvara Shablakova, Actress, Pioneer Heroes
Best Short Film: The Return of the Erkin, Russia
Fipresci Prize for Short Film: The Tide Keeper, New Zealand
SWAP IN SAN SEBASTIAN
Another Filipino film that is making waves oversees at the moment is Remton Zuasola’s Swap, which is in the Zabaltegi section of the 2015 San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain.
Swap is the tale of a young Cebuano father torn between solving a crime and committing another when his only son is kidnapped. The only resolution he can think of is to kidnap another child to get his child—and his life—back.
This is the international premiere of the film, uniquely shot in one long take from beginning to end, which was first shown in Manila during the Sinag Maynila Festival of Solar Films.
Representing the film in Spain are Zuasola, who is credited as the director-writer, producer Bianca Balbuena, cinematographer Ruel Antipuesto, and actors Dionne Monsanto and Matt Daclan. The film, shot entirely in Cebu, also stars Mon Confiado, Jess Mendoza and RK Bagatsing.
NABUNTURAN NURTURES CINEMA
The Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (Nabifilmex) showcased a total of 24 films from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao and invited film experts, critics and actors to grace the annual event.
Playing host was the team of lawyer Karen Santiago-Malaki, who made sure the guests from Manila were given five-star treatment. Professor, BusinessMirror film critic and Manunuri member Tito Valiente, film professor Ed Cabagnot, filmmaker Arnel Mardoquio, actors Jess Mendoza and Biboy Ramirez had a grand time viewing the films from all over the country and interacting with the filmmakers whose entries truly spiced up the festival.
“There is so much talent to be discovered outside the big cities, and Nabifilmex is one venue where these wonderful discoveries are being made,” Ramirez enthused.
Meanwhile, Mendoza shared that being part of the event made him learn a lot about filmmaking in the regions. “I’m glad to be part of Nabifilmex, and traveling to Mindanao was so worth it. We screened some really good films and met some really interesting people who shared their own cinema stories with everyone. As a relatively new player in the industry, the enthusiasm and the openness of our colleagues in the industry to be there for one another can be both inspiring and contagious.”
Both Ramirez and Mendoza look forward to attending the Cinema Rehiyon in Bicol by the end of the year, since they are both part of the opening film, Lem Lorca’s Mauban: Ang Resiko.