Despite feeling more like a press preview due to the limited number of audience in attendance, the opening of the 15th International Silent Film Festival signalled the gradual return of on site events in Metro Manila. And it was fitting that this event was held at the newly restored Manila Metropolitan Theater that is making a grand comeback reopening this December.
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| Ben Suzuki Director, Japan Foundation Manila |
Hosted by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the screening of the opening film, Orochi, was a return to ISFF pre-pandemic times with the band Munimuni providing the live music score as the film was shown.
In Futagawa Buntarō's Orochi, Bandō Tsumasaburō stars as Heisaburo Kuritomi, a samurai who despite his honesty and honorable nature, is met by injustice and misfortune. The film features swashbuckling action scenes that was groundreaking at the time. Munimuni's score featured a versatile flute, pounding drums, and layered vocals that showcased the music pallette of this four man band.
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| Munimuni |
The following day, the online screenings for the international silent films began streaming at the FDCP channel.
These films dating from 1911-1925 showed what was life back then. It cannot be denied that views from the early 20th century would be very problematic now. The depiction of women in Japan's Orochi, Spain's Carceleras, and France's The Foreman see them as merely love interests, defined only by their men, and often times subject to harassment and abuse. Also an antiquated view of those times is the caricature and stereotypical depiction of indigenous and ethnic characters. In Italy's Pinocchio, the Native Americans, referred to as Indians, were seen as primitive savages who were eventually massacred by the Canadians. Another example of a caricature is the lecherous Caliph in Germany's Das Wachsfigurenkabinett.
On the contrary, UK's Dr. Wise on Influenza has remained eerily relevant up to now. Despite the advancement of medicine after a century, the advice given in the film on how to stop the spread of the deadly influenza during the pandemic of 1918-1919 still holds true.
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| Soprano Bianca Lopez and tenor Ivan Nery |
If one sees these films from a bygone era as purely a form of entertainment, then it could e problematic. Silent films have now become historical artifacts that have vividly documented how society was back then. And when one views them with this in mind, then silent films can offer a lot more to modern audiences than what one sees projected on screen. Most importantly, this should be a reminder that mankind must never revert back to these antiquated views.
The six international silent films are viewable on demand from November 28-30, 2021 at the FDCP channel. The nine Mit Out Sound Silent Film Competition entries will be streaming on December 1-2, 2021. The winners of the competition will be announced at the Closing Ceremony to be held online on December 3, 2021.
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| Organizers of the 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila |
The 15th International Silent Film Festival Manila is organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila, the Philippine Italian Association, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Goethe-Institut, the British Council in the Philippines, the Embassy of France, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in partnership with Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of Spain, the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, the National Commission on Culture and The Arts, Ortigas Cinemas, Absolut Mediem, Cineteca di Milano, CNC, Alliance Française, BFI, Filmoteca Española and Matsuda Film Productions.
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