Celebrities support Cinemalaya 2011, which will kick off on July 15

Festival director Nestor Jardin was nostalgic as he recalled the first press conference held for Cinemalaya way back in 2005. "There were only about four tables at the venue. Today, I can say that we have grown substantially," he said as he looked at the attendees who graced the press conference held last Wednesday, June 8.


The main lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines was filled with celebrities, directors, members of the media and guests who were there to lend their support for the 7th edition of Cinemalaya.


Aside from showcasing films that "boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience," this year's Cinemalaya will also screen films from Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Singapore and Japan for a section called Focus Asia.


To accommodate more viewers, this year's entries will be screened at the CCP and Greenbelt 3 in Makati City from July 15-24, 2011.


Alessandra de Rossi graced the occasion to represent the entry Busong, which is directed by Auraeus Solito. Shot entirely in Palawan, Busong is the first Cinemalaya entry to enter the Cannes Film Festival in France. Direk Auraeus and Alessandra received a standing ovation when they attended the world premiere of the film last May 16. The film, with the international title Palawan Fate, was one of the 21 films selected for the Director's Fortnight section of Cannes.

Ms. Jean Garcia shared a table with Rocco Nacino and Paulo Avelino, her co-stars in Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.


Marvin Agustin, Ciara Sotto, and Allen Dizon were among the celebrities who represented Patikul. Glaiza de Castro plays the lead role in i-Libings and a supporting role in Patikul.


Cherry Pie Picache also has two entries: Isda (Fable of the Fish) and Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.


Eugene Domingo was present that day along with her Ang Babae sa Septic Tank co-stars Kean Cipriano and Cai Cortez.

Meanwhile, Tirso Cruz III and Edgar Allan Guzman are part of the family drama Bisperas.


Now on its seventh year, Cinemalaya has paved the way for indie films to become an integral part of pop culture. Supporters of the annual film fest have grown from 5,000 viewers in 2005 to 50,000 in 2010.


NEW BREED CATEGORY. As in previous seasons, the finalists for the New Breed Full Length Feature category received P500,000 each from the Cinemalaya Foundation to be used for producing their entries. The winner of this category will bring home P200,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. The nine films competing in this category are:

Amok - Direk Lawrence Fajardo used the streets of Pasay Rotonda as his backdrop for Amok. An enraged gunman (Dido Dela Paz) opens fires on several people whose lives are tackled in the film. As the day progresses in hot and humid Manila, the fate of these people are decided — will they die or survive? Veteran actors Mark Gil, Nonie Buencamino, Gary Lim, Efren Reyes Jr., Spanky Manikan, Dido Dela Paz and Archi Adamos portray passersby whose lives are changed by this incident.

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank - Marlon Rivera directs this "movie within a movie" from a script by Chris Martinez. Eugene Domingo stars as an "upgraded" version of herself in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. A group of amateur indie filmmakers (JM De Guzman, Kean Cipriano and Cai Cortez) attempt to hire Eugene as their lead star. Throughout the film, Eugene, Cherry Pie Picache and Mercedes Cabral depict varying treatments of the same plot: Mila, a mother from the slums, has decided to sell her child to a pedophile. Viewers will get to see the story told through a neo-realist version; a glossy musical; an over-the-top melodrama as well as a docu-drama featuring non-actors.

Bahay Bata - Set at Christmas Eve in an overcrowded maternity hospital, this film stars Diana Zubiri as Nurse Sarah. Amidst the chaos of the hospital, Sarah has to deal with her clandestine relationship with her boyfriend (played by Yul Servo). Though it was never their intention, director Eduardo Roy and playwright Jerome Zamora admit that Bahay Bata reflects the ongoing debate on the controversial Reproductive Health bill.

Cuchera - Another timely film in the lineup, Cuchera is a true-to-life depiction of the dark underworld of drug trafficking. According to Direk Joseph Laban, the character of Isabel (Maria Isabel Lopez) was based on the life of a Filipina drug mule who is allegedly the record holder for carrying the most amount of drugs hidden inside her body. When she was busted by Chinese authorities, drugs were found inside her rectum and her sex organ.

i-Libings - What's good about death, anyway? The funeral videography crew of i-Libings and their new intern Isabel (Glaiza de Castro) will give you the answers. In this coming-of-age story by Rommel Sales, i-Libings tackles the ironies of life and how, in the most unusual circumstances, a young girl finds her peace. Glaiza will be joined in this film by her brother Alchris Galura, as well as Carlo Aquino, Rez Cortez, Marc Abaya, and Earl Ignacio.

Ligo Na Ü, Lapit Na Me - Based on the bestselling novel by Eros Atalia, Ligo Na Ü, Lapit Na Me is a modern love story of Karl (Edgar Allan Guzman) and Jenny (Mercedes Cabral). They are best friends with benefits, but Karl crosses the line when he falls in love with Jenny and admits it to her. Unfortunately, Jenny gets pregnant but she reveals that Karl is not the father. How does a young man in love cope with this devastation? Find out in this film adaptation by Erick Salud, Noel Ferrer and Jerry Gracio.

Niño - Just like a telenovela, the Lopez-Aranda family in Loy Arcenas' Niño faces collapse as they struggle to maintain their once illustrious status. Amidst greed, betrayal and misplaced pride, hope arises. Starring Fides Cuyugan Asensio, Shamaine Buencamino, Tony Mabesa, Raquel Villavicencio, Art Acuña, Diana Malahay, Joaquin Valdes and introducing, Jhizhelei Deocareza.

Teoriya - Jimmuel Apostol II (Alfred Vargas) is on a journey around Zamboanga in Zurich Chan's Teoriya. After 10 years of estrangement, Jimmuel is determined to find his dead father's burial place. But as he goes on a road trip to search for his father's remains, he discovers more about himself and what he has been missing all this time.

Ang Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa - A story inspired by the poems of feminist writers Merlinda Bobis, Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Joi Barrios, Rebecca Añonuevo, Benilda Santos and Ophelia Dimalanta. Produced in cooperation with the Far Eastern University, director Alvin Yapan tells the tale of dance students Marlon (Paolo Avelino) and Dennis (Rocco Nacino), and their teacher Karen (Jean Garcia). They are captivated by the seductive dance of love. But will any one of them ever perfect this complicated routine? Or will they all just falter in the end?

DIRECTOR'S SHOWCASE. In the Director's Showcase category, four established directors are vying for the prize of P300,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. The four films in competition are:

Bisperas - A film set during Christmas Eve by Direk Jeffrey Jeturian. The Aguinaldo family arrives home from midnight Mass only to find that they have been burglarized. As they check to identify their missing belongings, they discover that there is so much more beyond the material things that this family has lost through the years. With a star-studded cast of Tirso Cruz III, Raquel Villavicencio, Jennifer Sevilla, Julia Clarete and Edgar Allan Guzman, will the Aguinaldos ever recover what they have lost?

Busong (Palawan Fate) - While growing up, Auraeus Solito's mother told him bedtime stories about her hometown in South Palawan. Direk Auraeus believes "as a modern filmmaker with an ancient lineage, it is his turn to retell these stories and visualize them through film."


In the film, the island is on the brink of being captured by foreign invaders. Angkarang (Dax Alejandro) carries his sick sister Punay (Alessandra de Rossi) all over Palawan in search of a cure. As they journey through the island, they meet several other characters who are also trying to find a "cure" for the island's critical condition.

Isda (Fable of the Fish) - Call it surreal but Lina (Cherry Pie Picache) is a woman who gives birth to a fish in the middle of the storm in Adolfo Alix Jr.'s Isda. A familiar story about a married couple longing to have a child of their own, but how will they accept this twist of fate? Will a mother's unconditional love for her "child" be enough to convince her husband Miguel (Bembol Roco) and everyone else that what they have is a blessed family and not a circus freak show? Angel Aquino, Rosanna Roces, Anita Linda, Arnold Reyes and Alan Paule are also cast in this film.

Patikul - Reality bites in Joel Lamangan's Patikul. As political and social unrest continue to haunt the province of Sulu, the parents of a small town fight for their children's right to a good education. Starring Marvin Agustin, Allen Dizon, Glaiza de Castro, Ciara Sotto and Dimples Romana, this film shows how residents were able to cope when rebels mercilessly decapitated a school principal (played by Marvin).


SHORT FILM CATEGORY. Ten entries are vying for a cash prize of P100,000 and Balanghai Trophy in the Short Feature Film category.


Competition director Laurice Guillen points out, "This younger generation of indie filmmakers is the reason why we are doing this festival." Through this section, Cinemalaya hopes to help budding filmmakers and inspire them to continue honing their craft.

Debut - Visual artist Pamela Llanes Reyes uses her knowledge about traditional and digital illustrations, painting, photography, graphic design and layout to present a story of an adolescent girl who is about to discover the world before her.

Every Other Time - College life is the focal point of Gino Santos' entry. Sometimes, it is not the academics but the parties that make college life interesting to a teenage student. But in the midst of all the booze and wild nights, the main character realizes that there is something more substantial in college other than getting wasted.

Hanapbuhay - Already an award-winning director for TV advertisements, Henry Frejas uses his trademark humor in presenting Hanapbuhay, a story about an average guy trying to make a living for his family. As he goes through another day, he is faced with the ironic realities his simple life has to offer.

Hazard - Only 19 years old, Mikhail Red has already gotten recognition from various international film festivals for his short films. Last year, he won Best Screenplay in Cinemalaya for the short film, Harang. Red tells the story of a father and son on a road trip. As they journey out of the city, they discover something that will rock their already unstable relationship.

Immanuel - Director Gio Puyat tells the story of Leo Sagaysay (Ping Medina), his wife Rubi (Meryll Soriano) and their little son. They are the main characters living in an unlikely setting of a future Philippines where air pollution has taken its toll on the environment. The plot thickens when a chain of unfortunate events causes the Sagaysay family to fight for survival in their blighted world.

Niño Bonito - In the trailer for Niño Bonito, director Milo Tolentino highlights Boni (John Michael Soriano) delivering his "fliptop" speeches. In an impoverished community, how does a little boy confront the issues of drugs, petty crime and abuse?

Oliver's Apartment - Director Misha Balangue depicts the life of a germaphobe, a man suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Oliver's Apartment. Oliver (Chris Roach) has lived inside his apartment for seven years now. Not once has he gone out in fear of catching germs. But when he receives a postcard one fateful day, his routine suddenly changes.

Samarito - A burglar aborts his plans when the homeowner couple suddenly arrives and argues. This leads to a violent altercation and the woman ends up seriously hurt. The burglar runs away but his conscience gets the better of him and turns back. Does he have it in him to be a good Samaritan? Director Rafa Santos highlights human compassion in Samarito.

Un Diutay Mundo - Zamboanga-based director Ana Carlyn Lim shares a story about breaking free in Un Diutay Mundo. Three characters — a feral child, an aspiring writer and a mystery person — are trapped in a dark room and they want to get out. Will they be able to get out of their "prison," or will they fail? And what is this mystery persona, really?

Walang Katapusang Kwarto - Emerson Reyes shoots his lead stars, Sheenly Gener and Max Celada, in a small bedroom where the two share a seemingly endless conversation about life and love. What goes on inside that room spells freedom for the characters as it hides them from the curious eyes of the world. Direk Emerson calls his film a love story... or maybe not.

The 7th Cinemalaya dares viewers to "See The Unseen" through the 31 digital entries in competition plus more than a hundred films in exhibition.

Short films shown for free this weekend

Short films are the way to go,  now that the local film industry is at an all-time low. In fact, short films may very well be local cinema's saving grace. They cater to young people's shorterattention spans and drive  home the message faster.

Big stars topbill short films,which have won honors for the Philippines in international competitions.

The "Kasambahay, Habambuhay" or "Companion in Life, for Life" short film anthology which will  premiere  tomorrow, June 10 at SM Megamall, capitalizes on this.  It features 10 short films compiled in a 100-minute anthology to mark Nestle's centennial year.

Screenings on June 11 and 12, 11 a.m. at select SM Cinemas nationwide (Megamall Cinema 3, Southmall Cinema 6, Rosales Cinema 1, Davao Cinema 1 and Cebu Cinema 7)  are open free to the public.

The stories are as varied as the stars and directors involved.

"Cooking Mo, Cooking Ko" is a comedic version of "Romeo and Juliet."  Two families  fight tooth and nail in the carinderia business until  two star-crossed lovers turn everything upside down.

"Silup," with Sid Lucero in the title role, shows the sensitive side of a dedicated policeman which most people don't see.

"Isang Tasang Pangarap" is a comedic tribute to Nora Aunor's award-winning "Himala."

"Sali Salita"  presents lessons on family love.  "Unplugged" is a flashback to a simpler time, when celfones, laptops and other gadgets were never heard of.

Other short films in the anthology are "The Howl & the Fussyket," "Oh! Pa Ra Sa Ta U Wa Yeah!", "Downtown," "Tingala sa Baba" and "Sign Seeker."

Other stars  who topbill the short films are Gloria Romero, Eddie Garcia, Marvin Agustin, John Lloyd Cruz, Eugene Domingo, Solenn Heussaff, Kaye Abad and  Jillian Ward.

The  award-winning directors whose works are showcased are Chris Martinez, Raul Jorolan, Jun Reyes, Sid Maderazo, A/F Benaza, Jeorge Agcaoili, Stephen Ngo, Henry Freias and Carlo Directo.

REVIEW: ‘Hangover 2′ partly funny but not amusing

The comedy brings a sense of déjà vu. It is partly funny, partly offensive.

First, the story. A quartet of overgrown boys are about to attend a wedding, one of them his own. Along the way, pre-nuptial merriment enhanced by booze and drugs causes "blackout," and when they come to the next day, they have no memory of what has happened and must extricate themselves from the mess they are in. This is their hangover.

They find out that one of them is missing. In their search for him, they bump into all sorts of characters, including a hostile, hyperactive, fully naked Chinese loudmouth named Mr. Chow and a mysterious animal in an unlikely place. Lost in mayhem, and dealing with frantic calls from the bride and family, the wayward, desperate brats are clinging to their last shred of hope that they will make it to the wedding.

Identical

This is the identical synopsis of both the hit 2009 comedy "The Hangover," and the new, bigger sleeper "The Hangover 2." In both movies, the buddies face the same—or similar—characters and situations. Replace Las Vegas with Bangkok, tourists and gamblers with Thai low-lifes. Get intimidated by a menacing Mike Tyson and hear him sing (a boxing champ singing? Sounds familiar). And the guys get to see—or recall—their blacked-out shenanigans on mobile phone photographs. No wonder no subtitle is attached to the title of the sequel, just a numeral, unlike other blockbuster sequels identified by descriptive phrases: "First Class," "The Deathly Hallows," "On Stranger Tides."

The repetitions in Part 2 are clearly a commercial gambit to milk on the success of the first movie. Give the audience what they like. That is a violation of the rule in making people laugh. You don't repeat jokes—in this case, a series of jokes that have been "sold" before.

It's true that "Hangover 2" enjoyed one of the biggest opening weekend grosses ever in box-office history last week—over $150 million. On the first week, people must have laughed and laughed but when they went home, they might have realized that they had been had—the jokes were a rehash. On the second week, attendance dropped by 62% from the opening weekend, as per Associated Press report.

Most likely, the steep drop in box-office revenues was also precipitated by audience realization that the movie is consistently mean-spirited and racist.

Irritating than laughable

Early in the film, at the airport lounge before their flight to Thailand, a sweet-natured, civilized Asian-American teener named Teddy, the brother of the bride, offers a boorish seatmate a head pillow, but the fat barbarian returns this nice gesture by accepting the pillow, only to toss it away. That Zach Galifianakis' rotund character is supposed to have a screw loose or is suffering from some arrested development does not make his antic mildly amusing. Some people may find in him a reincarnation of Jim Belushi or Bud Abbot and Lou Castello, or a new Jack Black but his character can be more irritating than laughable.

Such meanness of spirit and rudeness as first demonstrated by Galifianakis are found throughout the movie. They also tap into the xenophobic in moviegoers. "This is Bangkok!"—a character announces, ostensibly to explain the filth and stench everywhere. An oversized cockroach is shown in closeup, a sight that may scare Claire Danes and prissy foreigners. And so the three pals continue their search, once on a boat sailing a town that is reminiscent of permanently flooded Navotas in Metro Manila. Goons and criminals of every stripe are in every corner. The one local police officer the boys turn to is dumb and useless.

One shady character, a minor albeit showy one, is played by Paul Giamatti, who ironically starred in the acclaimed, Oscar-nominated comedy some five years ago, "Sideways," also about best friends in near midlife taking a road trip before a main character's wedding. But that one is insightful, intelligent and funny.

This one seeks humor in exotica and kinkiness. Sexy showgirls turn out to have penises. A monkey nibbles on a human finger. In "Hangover 1," a toothless face may send ripples of laughter (broken tooth is replaceable) but in this second one, someone accidentally cutting his finger with a knife and is cool about it is bizarre. The chimp, further, has a "hilarious" moment that may make animal rights activists squirm—animatrix or no animatrix.

'Asiatique'

In the first movie, someone refers to Chow as a Chinaman, clearly a derogatory word but a companion corrects him (he's "an American of Chinese descent"). In this second episode, an offensive word is used to startle the audience; instead of "Asian," one guy uses the word "Asiatique." And you thought that the old term "Oriental" was patronizing.

In the name of fun, one episode is ageist and shows the boys' lack of respect for privacy and religion. They are stuck with an old monk on a wheelchair and stubbornly refuse to abide by the holy man's vow of silence, ridiculing him. They noisily barge into a temple where young Buddhists are engaged in quiet prayer and meditation. The disrespect and insensitivity so outraged the saffron-clad leader that he flogs the interlopers with a bamboo stick. It's one surprising, rare moment worth cheering, even as the priest's action is an anomaly since Buddhists are supposed to be nonviolent.

Anything-goes humor is the norm in outlandish comedies, and occasional breaches of political correctness and civilized conduct are acceptable, but when craziness gets out of hand and the humor relies on racial stereotypes, that isn't funny. Comedy is no excuse for mindless entertainment that insults a people and reinforces racial biases.

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Mario A. Hernando is a respected film reviewer and founding member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which hands out the annual Urian Awards. He became famous for his movie reviews on the showbiz program "Movie Magazine" in the 1990s and was editor of the Weekend Malaya for 10 years. At present, he is a board member of the Movies and Television Review and Classification Board.

Disclaimer: As this is a film review, the views and observations of the author do not represent the position of Yahoo! Southeast Asia on this creative undertaking.