Movies + Events: Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Masinag

It's a great time for local indie cinema indeed! With social media bringing back "Heneral Luna" after it was taken out of theaters. To memes on films like "Honor Thy Father" and recently that 'fishball scene' from "Ma. Rosa" all over Facebook. As well as groups like Revenge.PH and Cinema '76 holding indie film screenings, the future looks bright for our local cinema. 

I'm overwhelmed that SM City has also given the rare opportunity for its patrons to view the internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza's award winning film and to meet the filmmaker up close during the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Masinag. 

The festival showcased Director Mendoza's 2015 internationally acclaimed film- "Taklub" which won the 2015 Cannes Film Festival Ecumencial Jury Prize Special Mention. The festival had students as its primary audience, and I'm happy to say that my nephew was among the participants. Looking forward to discussing the film with him (I know I'm such a geek). Hopefully exposing High School students to award winning films will inspire them and who knows may even influence a new generation of film enthusiasts. 

Taklub is the story of three characters, including Bebeth played by Nora Aunor, coping and surviving the aftermath of the horrendous Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). It is co-produced with the Department of Environmental and National Resources (DENR). 

Another highlight of the festival is the Film Appreciation Workshop after the Taklub screening. In the hour long workshop, the audience got a glimpse of the different elements -acting, directing, cinematography, script writing that went into this magnificent film as discussed by no less than Director Brillante Mendoza himself. The aim of the activity is to guide the audience in understanding and appreciating the film Taklub as a medium of art and communications. 

A launch was attended by prominent members of the local community from government officials, school officials and students, as well as film enthusiasts. This was held a day before the festival. During the program, SM City Masinag paid tribute to Director Mendoza for the many honors he has brought to the country and members of the media were also given the chance to interview him. 

A post work me, sans make-up geeking out with the man of the hour- Direk Brillante Mendoza himself. :) 

Movies: The Last Pinoy Action King

Super late post! Sorry! But I still want to share our experience with Cinema '76. So please bear with me. 

An unexpected treat during Cinema '76's 'Araw ng Kagitingan' screenings was getting to experience the documentary "The Last Pinoy Action King". Paul and I are big documentary fans and our interest was captured so we decided to stay and see it, despite being way past our bedtime. 

(Remember, night shift). 

More than just a telling of the life and achievements of Rudy "Daboy" Fernandez, "The Last Pinoy Action King" also looks into the history of Philippine Cinema. Coming from a family in show business, it was no surprise that Rudy Fernandez would step in front of the camera, first playing small bits and roles before making his way to become the last Pinoy Action King. 

Considered as many as the successor of Fernando Poe Jr., Rudy Fernandez helped pave the way to the rise of Pinoy Action films during the 1980s to the late 1990s (about 300 movies a year were being released by the local movie industry). Until it's decline in the early 2000, when Hollywood blockbusters took over. Daboy had over 72 films under his belt. 

Recent years have seen a rise to romantic movies, drama, horror and comedy in local movies. Sadly there has been no one to carry on the torch from Fernandez. 

What might not be common knowledge is Fernandez's role as president of the Philippine Actors Guild. It was Fernandez who ensured of the right hours of work for actors and of right compensation. 

Fernandez was well loved and respected by his peers and colleagues, but more than just the tough charactes he portrays on screen, he is a loving husband and father to his family. 

By the time the film wrapped up I was already in tears as viewers got an inside look as The Last Pinoy Action King succumbed to periampullary cancer in 2008. He died surrounded by family and friends, the public mourned his passing and the action genre of Philippine cinema has never been the same again. 

Directed by Andrew Leavold and Daniel Palisa, who gathered over 12 hours worth of interviews from about 50 family, friends, colleagues and industry experts. 

The Last Pinoy Action King is a rare gem, which looks which should not be missed by movie fans and history buffs, especially if they are big fans of Daboy. 

Featuring footage/ interviews starring: Rudy Fernandez, Lorna Tolentino, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Rap Fernandez, Renz Fernandez, Philip Salvador, Gina Alajar, Lav Diaz, Nora Aunor, Amy Austria, Cecille Baun, Vicky BeloJose N. Carreon, Gabby Concepcion, Rez Cortez, Tirso Cruz III, Sharon Cuneta, Dingdong Dante, Ricky Davao, Domy De Guzman, Christopher De Leon, Robin Padilla and Lolit Solis.