2 Kapampangan-made films up in Cinemanila film fest

Thursday, November 3, 2011

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Two films made by Kapampangan directors have made it to this year’s Cinemanila International Film Festival set on November 11 to 17 in Taguig City.

The films, “Sydney-Manila Express” and “Manenaya” directed by Bor Ocampo and Richard Soriano Legaspi, are included in the festival’s finalists for short film exhibition.

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“Sydney-Manila Express” is a glimpse on an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who took on a journey to Sydney, Australia to give what every OFW wants to give their family: a good life. Little did he know that his exploit will ultimately lead him to misfortune that will cost him the things he valued the most.

While in Sydney, Ocampo was able to make the short film where he played as the actor, cinematographer, editor, producer and director. The film is considered to be the most challenging of his works to date.

The film includes the cast of “Sublime Zoe”, Lauren Alviz, Alexis Rivera, Olivier Bret and Samira.

Meanwhile, the film “Manenaya”, co-produced and filmed by Legaspi, made it to the ranks of finalists in the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF).

“Manenaya” (Waiting) is a story of a determined woman and her journey through life under the backdrop of the various landscapes of Pampanga.

She brings with her a wooden casket for her husband, a victim of political killings. The film is a journey in search for truth and personal triumph through the challenges of life.

Ruston Banal, a local artist, said the two films are proofs that Kapampangans can make it into the local movie and creative scenes. The Cinemanila will be showcasing the films soon.

Cinemanila traces its roots to the desire of continuing the legacy of Lino Brocka. Since its inception in 1999, the Cinemanila International Film Festival has endeavored to revive the Philippines as the center of Southeast Asian cinema and encourage the creation of international caliber, yet uniquely Filipino films.