bury me in this dress

Doi! I want to go to the Russian Film Festival but CCP is far. I hate Manila traffic. Anyway, here’s the schedule.

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Philippines on June 2, 2011, a festival of Russian films will be presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on March 16-20, 2010 and Onstage, Ayala Center, Cebu City on March 26-27, 2010. A photo exhibit will also be mounted for the duration of the festival to commemorate Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

The event is a presentation of Mosfilm Studios, Russia’s biggest filmmaker, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Film Development Council of the Philippines, the CCP and the Philippines-Russia Friendship Society.   Five classical and contemporary films produced by Mosfilm will be screened: Ward No. 6, Vanished Empire, The Star, Mirror, Agony.

Russian Film Festival 2010 Screening Schedule – Cultural Center of the Philippines (FREE ADMISSION)

March 16 (Tue) 07:30PM, CCP Little Theatre – Ward No.6
March 17 (Wed) 04:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – Vanished Empire
March 17 (Wed) 07:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – The Star
March 18 (Thu) 04:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – The Mirror
March 18 (Thu) 07:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – Agony
March 19 (Fri) 07:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – Vanished Empire
March 19 (Fri) 04:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – Ward No.6
March 20 (Sat) 04:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – Agony
March 20 (Sat) 07:00PM, CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde (Dream Theatre) – The Mirror

All screenings are free on a first-come, first served basis. Kindly note that the CCP Dream Theatre has a limited seating capacity of 100 only. could only accommodate 100 pax. For more information, kindly call the CCP Media Arts division at 832-1125 local 1704 and 1705.

via Eat Drink Dance

Six critically-acclaimed films will be shown in Manila and Cebu during the 7th Australian Film Festival. The Manila leg will be held at the Greenbelt Cinema from November 5 to 8, 2009. The featured films are the following:

The Black Balloon
Follows the story of 15-year old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) who tries to fit in his new life as his family moves to a new home while taking care of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford, The Mummy-Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) and nurturing a budding romance with new girlfriend Jackie (Australian supermodel and actress Gemma Ward). Charlie takes Thomas on an emotional journey in a story that is funny, confronting and ultimately heart-warming. This film also stars Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, About A Boy).  The Black Balloon was awarded the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear for Best Feature-Length film in the Generation 14plus category and Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing.

Unfinished Sky

When Tahmeena stumbles onto John’s isolated farm, he has no choice but to take her in. An illegal refugee, she’s been badly beaten and speaks no English. While John’s not inclined to welcome visitors, he’s even less inclined to involve the police. As they communicate through signs, pictures and a gradual understanding of each other’s language, John and Tahmeena both begin to recover their faith in themselves and their trust in humanity. Tahmeena brings the homestead back to life, reopening John’s eyes to the beauty of his land. In return, John tries to track down the daughter Tahmeena sent ahead from war-ravaged Afghanistan. With renewed confidence they step out of the sanctuary of the farm, but in doing so, reveal themselves to the violent criminals who’ve been looking for Tahmeena. Unfinished Sky is a powerful, poetic and sensual love story that peels away layers of hurt and mistrust to reveal the beauty of freedom, hope and choice.
The Bank

A political thriller set in the world of high finance.

Danny Deckchair

Based on a true story, the tale of a cement truck driver named Danny, whose long awaited vacation is cancelled thanks to his scheming girlfriend, Trudy. Danny escapes his grim life in suburban Australia and blasts into the skies in a chair tied with helium balloons. A mighty thunderstorm blows him clean off the map, and spits him out far away over the lush green town of Clarence. In this new town, he rockets into the world of Glenda, the town’s only parking cop. While the media back home becomes obsessed with the story of his disappearance, Danny gets to reinvent himself in this new town, and in his great adventure, he discovers a true soulmate in Glenda. Fate catches up with him eventually, as Danny’s true identity is revealed and Trudy–now a tabloid celebrity–comes to the idyllic town to claim Danny and drag him back to Sydney. Danny, however, is a changed man; he’s discovered what it means to be happy and has found a new self-worth. Saying farewell to Trudy, Danny makes a dynamic re-entry to the town of Clarence–determined to win Glenda back again and embrace his newfound zest for life.
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From October 14 to 21, 2009 Embassy of Italy and Philippine Italian Association will hold the 8th Italian Film Festival at the Shangri-la Mall. The first day (October 14) is by invitation but from 15 onwards it will be open to the public free of charge.

Schedule

OCTOBER 15 (THURSDAY)
2:00 pm Basta un niente (1:25)
4:30 pm Gas (1:40)
7:00 pm I vicere’ (2:00)
9:30 pm Provincia meccanica (1:47)

OCTOBER 16 (FRIDAY)
2:00 pm La febbre (1:48)
4:30 pm Mater natura (1:33)
7:00 pm L’uccello dalle piume di cristallo (1:40)
9:30 pm Il Maestro degli errori (1:45)

OCTOBER 17 (SATURDAY)
2:00 pm Uno su due (1:40)
4:30 pm Ma che ci faccio qui (1:32)
7:00 pm La vera leggenda di Tony Vilar (1:32)
9:30 pm Gas (1:40)

OCTOBER 18 (SUNDAY)
2:00 pm Caravaggio (2:10)
4:30 pm La vera leggenda di Tony Vilar (1:32)
7:00 pm Mater natura (1:33)
9:30 pm La destinazione (2:04)

OCTOBER 19 (MONDAY)
2:00 pm Il Maestro degli errori (1:45)
4:30 pm La febbre (1:48)
7:00 pm Uno su due (1:40)
9:30 pm Ma che ci faccio qui (1:32)

OCTOBER 20 (TUESDAY)
2:00 pm Provincia meccanica (1:47)
4:30 pm L’uccello dalle piume di cristallo (1:40)
7:00 pm Caravaggio (2:10)
9:30 pm Basta un niente (1:25)

OCTOBER 21 (WEDNESDAY)
2:00 pm La destinazione (2:04)
4:30 pm La febbre (1:48)
7:00 pm Ma che ci faccio qui (1:32)
9:30 pm I vicere’ (2:00)

For the synopses, visit spot.ph

This year’s Spanish Film Festival will be held in several locations: Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater), and SDA Museum (College of Saint Benilde).

Schedule:

Synopses:

Don’t Ask Me To Kiss You, Because I Will

Title: No me pidas que te bese, porque te besaré
Director: Albert Espinosa
Year made: 2008
Format: cine, 35mm
Duration: largometraje – 95 min
País producción España
Versión originalEspañol
SubtituladoInglés

This comedy is about Albert who’s repenting his decision to marry and takes guitar lessons with “special” people to distract himself before the wedding takes place or not. Espinosa, the scriptwriter of Tu vida en 65 minutos, takes in his first feature film the same approach as Woody Allen in many aspects, making you think what makes us special and what makes us jerks.

Strangers

Title: Forasters (Forasteros)
Director: Ventura Pons
Year made: 2008
Format: cine, 35mm
Duration: largometraje – 105 min
País producción España
Versión originalCatalán
SubtituladoInglés

Forasters tells the story of a single family that lives through two traumatic events with a forty-year gap between them: the loss of a family member and the arrival of new unfamiliar neighbours. Two events that end up disrupting the alleged harmony of the family. The fragility of the family ties, the passage of time, the meaning of existence, and above all, the fear and distrust of the unknown (the outsider, the stranger, the foreigner) upsets the “sensible” mentality of these traditional individuals.

14 Kilometers

Title: 14 kilometros
Director: Gerardo Olivares
Year made: 2007
Format: DVD
Duration: largometraje – 95 min
País producción España
Versión originalEspañol
SubtituladoInglés

Politicians and sociologists are one in saying that immigration is the main problem which the West would face in the 21st century. The African and European continents are separated by the Strait of Gibraltar with just “14 kilometers” distance. In Africa, there are millions of people whose only aim is to enter Europe due to poverty experienced in their country. For these immigrants, hunger understands neither borders nor barriers. This feature film wants to contribute a bit to the immigration phenomenon. Thanks to Buba Kanou, Violet Sunny and Mukela Kanou, we will know a little bit more on the reality of Africa and, with it, we will embark on a perilous long trip towards Europe, passing through Mali, Niger, Algeria and Morocco.

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It’s that time of the year again and Cine Europa is more awesome because they’re giving away a package tour to Europe to a very lucky attendee. That’s just a bonus because free film festivals, european films at that, are gems. Like last year, it will be held at Shang Cinema, Shangri-la Mall in Mandaluyong. The opening night will be on September 10, 2009 and public viewing will start the next day.

click to enlarge

Here are each film’s synopsis. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. (more…)

It’s Eiga Sai once again! Yay! It’ll be from July 2 to 12 here in Metro Manila and the films will be shown in Shangri-la and UP Film Center. There will be screenings in Davao, Cebu, and Baguio on different dates.

Shangri-La Plaza

July 2 (Thu)
7:00 PM – ALWAYS – Sunset on Third Street (by invitation)

July 3 (Fri)
2:00 PM – Tony Takitani
4:30 PM – Turn Over
7:00 PM – Kamome Diner

July 4 (Sat)
2:00 PM – Memories of Tomorrow
4:30 PM – ALWAYS – Sunset on Third Street
7:00 PM – Memories of Matsuko

July 5 (Sun)
2:00 PM – Memories of Tomorrow
4:30 PM – Mind Game
7:00 PM – Memories of Matsuko

July 6 (Mon)
2:00 PM – The Milkwoman
4:30 PM – Mind Game
7:00 PM – Turn Over (more…)

Here’s the schedule according to the Alliance Francaise website

All the films will be shown at Shangri-la Cinema. I’m looking forward to watching Les Chansons d’ Amour, Un baiser s’il vous plait, La Mome, and Qui m’aime me Suive.