PINOY MIXX
Of all the International Film Festivals that I have attended with the highly acclaimed filmmaker, Brillante Mendoza, the Tokyo International Filmfest was one of the most memorable.
I am blessed to have the opportunity of being invited to some of the most prestigious international film festivals, as the publicist of Brillante Mendoza.
As a first timer in the Land of the Rising Sun, I only relied on the information I read and watched on films and television about Japan. I knew how beautiful Japan is and how disciplined the Japanese are. I also knew how organized and systematic they are based on the emails I had with one of the organizers, Ms. Ayumi Seki.
(From left to right) Vanju Alvaira, Carlo Valenzona, Aaron Rivera, Ruby Ruiz, Brillante Mendoza, Larry Castillo, Raymund Gutierrez, Rene Durian.
The 28th Tokyo International Film Festival was held from October 22-31 this year at the Roppongi Hills. The fabulous grand opening was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where all the participating delegates from around the globe walked the red carpet.
Hollywood celebrities like Hillary Swank and Helen Mirren among others were there to grace the occasion.
Cross Cut Asia
The 28th Tokyo International Film Festival Cross Cut section has featured Philippine films. This was a great opportunity for the Filipino filmmakers to be the focus of attention in this year’s TIFF.
It was no less than Ms. Akimoto Sayaka, Tourism Ambassador to the Philippines, who specifically mentioned in her congratulatory message that she has not seen any Filipino films in Japan.
“I am very interested in the films of world known director Brillante Ma Mendoza, a youthful drama featuring Manny Pacquiao’s childhood and great actress Nora Aunor’s masterpiece, all of which will be shown in the section”, Ms. Sayaka said in her message.
Lawrence Fajardo, Krisma Maclang and Paul Sta. Ana. Photo by Vanju Alvaira
Meanwhile, Nakata Hideo, prominent Japanese horror director, and Ishizaka Kenji, program director for Cross Cut film, also expressed their unforgettable experience with Philippine cinema when they were reunited when the latter interviewed Nakata.
Nakata and Ishizaka knew each other back in their school days and had common friends in the film industry in Japan. Both became very much interested in film as Nakata focused his study by his thesis on “Philippine Cinema: The Golden Age of the 1950s.”
Nakata’s exposure to Philippine cinema was very exhaustive. He was able to meet the pioneer of independent filmmaking Kidlat Tahimik and the heirs of the leading film production outfit during the 50’s, LVN studio, owned by the de Leon family. Film director Mike de Leon is now managing it.
Brillante Mendoza, Ishizaka Kenji, TIFF, Rene Programming Director, Rene Durian
It is interesting to know that the Tokyo University film archive has the works of Filipino filmmakers Gerry de Leon and Lamberto Avellana.
The conversation of these two Japanese film stalwarts had covered most of the classic films ever produced during the 50’s. Both are so knowledgeable and so conversant regarding the so-called Golden Age of Philippine Cinema during the 50’s.
This year, Cross Cut Asia featured 9 Filipino films: Brillante Mendoza’s “Taklub”, “Foster Child”, “Serbis”, “Lola”, and “Thy Womb”; Lawrence Fajardo’s “Imbisibol”; Paul Sta. Ana’s“Balut Country”; Paul Soriano’s “Kid Kulafu”; Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala”; and Kidlat Tahimik’s “Balikbayan #1 Memories of Overdevelopment Redux III.5”.
In the meantime, Japan Foundation Asia Center and TIFF launched “Asian Three-fold Mirror” project that aims to produce an omnibus film with three episodes by three accomplished directors from Asia. The three directors include Brillante Mendoza (Philippines); Yukisada Isao (Japan); and Sotho Kulikar (Cambodia).
The common theme of the project is “Live Together in Asia” which envisions the three directors to create their stories.
Ayumi Seki (Center) and her Staff (L-R) Nanami Ashida, Miyu Skai, Marie Suzuki and Kao Yamagami.
According to Ishizaka Kenji, TIFF Programming Director, “the “Asian Three-fold Mirror” will have each episode link to the others, and combine them into one coherent film. It will be premiered at the Tokyo Film Festivals and will be presented at film festivals around the world and released inside and outside Japan”.
Too bad I only had a four-day stay in Tokyo, but it was worth the trip. I was not able to see the closing ceremony. The Tokyo experience left a lasting memory in my mind.
Given the special recognition bestowed on the Philippine films by TIFF this year, it is expected that Filipino filmmakers have something to look forward to in 2016.
