GOLDEN YEARS – Philippine cinema is witnessing the golden years of indies. Proof positive is the international acclaim indie films, directors, and actors are reaping in both major and minor cinema events.
Needless to say, indie films are not that popular among the local audiences. But hopefully in time they will capture a good share of the movie market.
Highspeed contributor Mel Caparas listed down films which won honor abroad last year. They are now so many that two installments are called for. Here’s the first part.
“Hele sa Hiwagan Hapis” (Lav Diaz) – Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for Best Film – 66th Berlin IFF, Germany.
“Ang Babaeng Humayo” (Lav Diaz) – Golden Lion for Best Film – 73rd Venice IFF, Italy.
“Taklub” (Brillante Mendoza) – Best Film – 1st MonFilmat Film & Landscape Festival, Catalonia, Spain; Le Prix Chandrika Charma Award – 8th IFF of Fishermen of the World, Lorient, France.
“Pamilya Ordinaryo” (Eduardo Roy, Jr.) – Special Mention (New Asian Cinema Competition – 10th Five Flavors FF, Warsaw, Poland; BNL Audience Award – 13th Venice Days, Italy; Student Jury Prize – 17th Tokyo Filmex IFF, Japan.
“Die Beautiful” (Jun Robles Lana) – Audience Choice Award – 29th Tokyo IFF, Japan.
“Child Haus” (Louie Ignacio) – Honorable Mention – 2nd All Lights India IFF, Hyderabad, India; Special Mention Jury Prize (Director’s Week Section) – 36th Oporto IFF, Portugal.
“Imbisibol” (Lawrence Fajardo) – Netpac Award – 22nd Vesoul IFF of Asian Cinema, France.
“Area” (Louie Ignacio) – Special Jury Prize – 12th Eurasia IFF, Kazakhstan.
“Hamog” (Ralston Jover) – Oustanding Artistic Achievement Award – 19th Shanghai IFF, China.
“Toto” (John Paul SU) – Audience Choice Award for Best Film – 39th Asian American IFF, New York; Best Foreign Film – 19th Los Angeles Comedy Festival, California.
“Mulat” (Diane Ventura) – Best Narrative Feature – World Cinema Festival 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Singing in the Graveyard” (Bradley Liew) – Best Film (Asian Select Netpac Category) – 22nd Kolkata IFF, India.