MSO concert features soprano Andión Fernandez, cellist Matias de Oliveria Pinto, Jeffrey Ching's opus

The Manila Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Marlon Chen, presents a series of firsts in their upcoming season concert Double Concerto happening on September 1, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Power Mac Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati.

Berlin based cellist Matias de Oliveira Pinto and soprano Andión Fernandez-Ching join the MSO for the Philippine premiere of Jeffrey Ching's ritualistic new work, Celestial-Infernal Grand Nuptial Rite.

The concert will also feature Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 and Matias performing Franz Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb/1 with cadenzas by Jeffrey Ching which has never been heard in local shores also. The thought of having a dash of Ching in a Haydn cello concerto is like having a mild breakfast tea spiked with strong liquor. 

And that alone should be more than enough reason to catch this performance.

Concert like experience as 13th International Silent Film Festival moves to bigger venue

A more concert-like experience is in store for the 13th International Silent Film Festival this August 30-September 1, 2019 as it makes the move to a much bigger venue which is the Samsung Hall at the SM Aura Premier in BGC, Taguig.

By now after twelve years, everybody knows the drill with the ISFF: films from the silent era (with some exceptions along the way) from different countries are shown each with accompanied by a music act providing a live score. Each screening, which has always been for free, is done only once guaranteeing a unique film viewing experience for those lucky enough to secure a seat.

The organizers and musicians of the 13th International Silent Film Festival

For this edition, a total of six countries, namely Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, Philippines, and Spain are participating. This year's festival, still known as the only one of its kind in Asia, will also feature a lecture by Nick Deocampo. Additionally, the opening night will also be part of the celebrations for the 100 Years of Philippine Cinema.

Munimuni

Kicking off the festival on August 30, 2019 is the screening of Native Life in the Philippines, a 1913 documentary film by Dean Worcester about the Kalingas. Providing the live score is the indie band Munimuni. The opening night and film screening is presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

On the next day August 31, 2019, author and film historian Nick Decoampo will have a lecture on The Beginnings of Cinema in Asia touching upon topics like the arrival of cinema in the region and how the locals reacted to it. He will give emphasis on the Philippines and how the Spanish and American colonial culture shaped local cinema.

Kaduma ni Karol

Following the lecture is the screening of the Japanese film Orizuru Osen (The Downfall of Osen) by the Japan Foundation, Manila. This 1935 movie directed by Kenji Mizoguchi will be accompanied by Kaduma ni Karol, a band from Mindanao led by the Queen of chants, Karol Bello.

Tarsius

Instituto Cervantes' presents the Spanish film Es mi hombre (He's My Man) with Manila based duo Tarsius scoring the film. The 1927 film by Carlos Fernández Cuenca is about Don Antonio, a down on his luck man trying to fend for his daughter Leonor. Tarsius, made up of Diego Mapa and Jay Gapasin, were participants of Instituto Cervantes's Posporos music project back in 2016.

Saxophonist Stef&no

Stef&no

For Italy's offering, the Philippine-Italian Association will present L'onestà del peccato (The Wife He Neglected), a 1918 film by Italian film pioneer Augusto Genina. Philippine based Italian saxophonist Stef&no, along with a handful of local musicians making up a Pocket Orchestra, will provide live music accompaniment for this film.

Anima Tierra

Anima Tierra

On September 1, the Goethe Institut screens Von Morgen bis Mitternachts, a film from 1920 by Karlheinz Martin. The band Anima Tierra will provide the live score infused with the ensemble's world music sound.

Tanya Markova

Lastly, the Embassy of Austria presents the all-ages, family friendly offering Kalif Storch to close out the festival. The 1924 film by Hans Berger and Ladislaus Tuszynski featuring exotic locales, extravagant costumes, and a quirky plot, will have the visually stimulating Tanya Markova providing live music accompaniment.

Speaking of the new venue this year, the Samsung Hall at SM Aura Premier will have around 200 more seats compared to the last year's SM Megamall Cinema. This is roughly around a 50% increase in seating capacity from last year. The Samsung Hall, a flexible space that can easily configured to suit various setups, isn't typically a venue for film screenings.

I remember that back in October, Call Me By Your Name that was accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra was held at the Samsung Hall, probably the most similar event to the ISFF held at the venue so far. Viewers who were at the event were letdown by the use of LED screens instead of the usual movie projectors that is typically expected when watching a movie inside the cinemas. But I was told that the 13th Silent Film Festival will not be going that route and will be projecting the movie at a screen instead. It will be definitely odd if LED screens will be used which is not in line with how films were shown back then.

Here is the schedule for the 13th International Silent Film Festival, at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Premier.

August 30, 2019
8:30 PM Native Life in the Philippines w/ Munimuni (Philippines)

August 31, 2019
1:00 PM The Beginnings of Cinema in Asia by Nick Deocampo (Lecture)
3:00 PM Orizusu Osen with Kaduma ni Karol (Japan)
5:30 PM Es mi hombre with Tarsius (Spain)
8:30 PM L'onestà del peccato with Stef&no and Pocket Orchestra (Italy)

September 1, 2019
4:00 PM Von Morgen bis Mitternachts with Anima Tierra (Germany)
7:30 PM Kalif Storch with Tanya Markova (Austria)

Cinemalaya 15 Visions of Asia: Holding on to dreams in Still Human

Even after the gala screenings of the films in competition wrapped up, there were still other notable events that happened at the recently concluded 15th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. One of these highlights was Philippine premiere of the Hong Kong film Still Human which was part of the festival's Visions of Asia section.

Crisel Consunji

Making the screening more memorable was the presence of the its lead actress, Crisel Consunji, a Filipina actress and educator now based in Hong Kong. Crisel might be a relative unknown in the country, but she is fondly remembered by her former theater colleagues for she had her start as a performer in the musical theater scene in here before moving to Hong Kong more than a decade ago. 

Prior to the screening, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta hosted a cocktail reception at the CCP's Silangan Hall presided by its Director General Law Kin-wai. This was my first time to see and hear Crisel and was greatly impressed by how poised and eloquent she was.

Cinemalaya President Laurice Guillen, HKETO General Director Law Kin-wai,
Crisel Consunji, and CCP VP/Cinemalaya Festival Director Chris Millado

Still Human

Directed by Chan Oliver Siu Kuen, Still Human tells the story of domestic worker Evelyn Santos (Consunji) and her employer, the wheelchair bound Cheong-wing (Anthony Wong). Both were distraught, broken and seemingly hopeless when they initially meet leading to a less than ideal working relationship. Eventually once they start genuinely care for each other, they learn to face life head on again and most importantly, to pursue their once abandoned dreams.

Towards the latter third of the film, I could hear people sniffing all around me inside the darkened theater. I confess that it took an effort for me not to let the tears flow. But I somehow lost it when two audience members gave emotional feedback to Crisel during the talk back after the screening. While I able to contain my emotions throughout the film thinking that this was just a movie, the heartfelt reactions from these two were all too real and I couldn't help but be moved by them.

Crisel Consunji

A day after, I was able to see Crisel once again through an intimate gathering with her and Mr. Law along with other members of the press. What I really took away from this was that the film shed light on how much the relationships between overseas Filipino workers and their employers in Hong Kong have improved. The horror stories of abuse that were the stuff of headlines decades ago have now become the exception. But this still doesn't negate the fact that domestic workers still work very hard and make lots of sacrifices in order to provide for their families back home. And because of this, they should have their countrymen's respect and not act condescendingly towards them and the families they've left behind.

HKETO General Director Law Kin-wai and Crisel Consunji

What surprised me and the others at this gathering was that Still Human has secured commercial releases in various Asian countries except here in the Philippines. This is quite unbelievable considering that the film tells a very Filipino story and one of the leads is a Filipina.

Thank goodness that through Cinemalaya and HKETO, the film got screened in here and I was very fortunate to see it. Law Kin Wai was very pleased with the turnout and feedback that it won't be a surprise if Hong Kong films will be a regular feature in subsequent editions of Cinemalaya.

Winners' concert for NAMCYA's 46th anniversary

In celebration of 46 years of discovering and showcasing Filipino talents, the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) presents Alab ng Musika: Wagi #galingNAMCYA”  , a concert of winners happening on August 23, 2019, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Leading the lineup is cellist Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales, a two-time NAMCYA winner. He will perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 with the UST Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Renato Lucas, the current NAMCYA President and former principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Other performers at the concert include the award winning choir DYCI Galak conducted by Nelson dela Cruz and the Pundaquit Virtuosi under the artistic direction of Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata.

NAMCYA aims not just to encourage Filipinos to present their gift of music to people, but also to honor the nationalism and Philippine culture by fostering of diverse musical heritage. Through their training and competitions, young artists get to improve and advance on their skills as performers as well as broaden their knowledge and perspective in music education.

Indian cinema makes its way to the Shang with Mabuhay Bollywood

One of the biggest and most prolific film industries in the world comes to the Red Carpet via Mabuhay Bollywood, the first ever Indian Film Festival in the country happening this August 23-25, 2019 at the Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet.

An impressive, diverse selection of 10 films are lined up for this festival presented by the Embassy of India, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Shangri-La Plaza. The event is also part of the Indian Embassy's celebrations for the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and India.

Indian Ambassador Jaideep Muzamdar said during the press preview that in India, the Bollywood is very much a part of their lives. The songs and dances from Bollywood films are sung and danced by the people there, even from movies released years or even decades ago.

Here are the films lined up for Mabuhay Bollywood.

Baahubali: The Beginning

Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Ramya Krishnan

Baahubali: The Conclusion

Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty

The epic fantasy films, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, follow the life of Sivudu, a foundling at a small village, who learned about the truth of his heritage after meeting the beautiful warrior Avanthika on a quest to save her queen. The story continues with hero’s gutsy mission to reclaim his identity.

Bang Bang!

Director: Siddarth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif

A remake of the hit Hollywood film Knight and Day, the film Bang Bang! follows a bank receptionist living a ho-hum life until she meets a handsome thief who turns her life around.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor

Starring Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor, the film revolves around the life of Milkha “The Flying Sikh” Singh, a world champion runner and Olympian, who overcame the killings of his family members including his parents, and the cruelty of the civil war during the India-Pakistan partition to become one of India’s sports icons.

Kahaani

Director: Sujoy Ghosh

Cast: Vidya Balan, Parambrata Chattopadhyay

Sujoy Ghosh’s mystery Kahaani is about a pregnant woman who arrives in Kolkata from London to find her missing husband. When all clues seem to reach a dead end, she might have to come to terms with the fact that her husband doesn’t exist.

Mary Kom

Director: Omung Kumar

Cast: Priyanka Chopra

The biopic Mary Kom stars international star Priyanka Chopra. If the Philippines has Pacman, India has Magnificent Mary—a title Kom earned after winning the 2008 World Boxing Championships. The Omung Kumar-directed film highlights Kom’s grit to defy the odds, shattering records to eventually become a boxing legend in her homeland and beyond.

Neerja

Director: Ram Madhvani

Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi

Based on the true-to-life events of the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986, Neerja is a gripping tale about a modern-day hero. This Ram Madhvani film focuses on how young flight attendant Neerja Bhanot made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of the passengers on board.

Pink

Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury

Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Amitabh Bachchan

Pink narrates the story of how three young women accused of a crime against a well-connected man try to clear their names. Apart from the twists and turns of a court drama, the Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury-helmed movie puts women’s rights and dignity front and center of its story.

Queen

Director: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Lisa Haydon

The dramedy Queen, a story that centers on 24-year-old Rani, who decides to go on with her honeymoon trip alone after her fiancé calls off their wedding. As she travels around Europe, Rani gains new experiences that’ll help her move on.

Tanu Weds Manu

Director: Aanand L. Rai

Cast: R Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut, Jimmy Shergill

Aanand L. Rai’s romantic drama is about a London-based doctor who comes to India to choose a bride. The thing is, the woman he likes doesn’t believe in arranged marriages.

Here is the screening schedule for the inaugural Mabuhay Bollywood, Indian Film Festival at Cinema 4 of the Red Carpet at the Shang.

August 23, 2019
3:00 PM Neerja
5:40 PM Queen
9:00 PM Bang Bang!

August 24, 2019
11:40 AM Kahaani
3:10 PM Mary Kom
5:50 PM Baahubali: The Beginning
9:00 PM Pink

August 25, 2019
12:30 PM Bang Bang!
3:40 PM Baahubali: The Conclusion
7:00 PM Tanu Weds Manu
9:30 PM Bhaag Milka Bhaag