UP Film Institute’s Cine Veritas Human Rights Film Festival for the year is all set from December 3 to 8. The Philippine gala premiere of Brillante Mendoza’s Tirador serves as opening salvo for the weeklong 2007 edition of the film festival that promises to be the biggest since it was first mounted in 2003.
Main films in exhibition come from across the globe led by the world premiere of New Zealand filmmaker Dean Hapeta’s follow-up to his 2003 rap documentary Ngatahi that made it to Sundance; Mexico and Spain’s co-production Pan’s Labyrinth; Italian Embassy’s presentation Salvatore—That’ s Life; the two-part program from Productions Multi-Monde of Canada comprised of Bledi, Sparks of War, Rebel Music Americas, Rebel Music Quebec; the Chinese documentary on an AIDS-afflicted family To Live Is Better Than to Die; the maquiladora murder drama Bordetown starring Jennifer Lopez and another Latin American cinema pride To Be Happy in Chile.
Filipino filmmakers take centerstage. Brillante Mendoza is represented not only by the opening film Tirador but also by the Cannes Director’s Fortnight entry Foster Child. Jim Libiran fields the Cinemalaya Best Picture Tribu that went on to vie for the top plum in Pusan and is also slated for Berlin International Forum of New Cinema come February 2008. Lino Tañada showcases the screen adaptation of the late author Orlando Nadres’ seminal play on repressed sexuality, Hanggang Dito Na Lamang at Maraming Salamat. Other Pinoy filmmakers with works in the festival selection include Vivian Limpin and Ma. Kathrina S. Loreños (Kunyang); She Andes and Mike Juancho Galang (Estropa) and Eric Tandoc (810logy).
Cine Veritas is UP Film Institute’s annual film festival that aims to uphold and raise consciousness on issues of human dignity and rights. In addition to screenings, myriad activities including fora, concerts, street dance parade, wall climbing and a string of gallery events highlight this year’s edition of the filmfest.
