How can uncut, adult-oriented films be socially relevant especially at a time of political crisis? Please go to Cine Adarna starting March 5 to find out.

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) hosts a film festival titled “Director’s Cut: Mga Eksenang Dapat Mong Nakita Pero…” from March 5 to 7 at the Cine Adarna in UP Diliman, Quezon City. Opening cocktails are scheduled at 4 p.m. on March 5 (Wednesday) at the UP Cine Adarna lobby.

Nine controversial films will be shown for three days. These are the uncut versions of Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (directed by Joel Lamangan), Laman (Maryo J. de los Reyes), Ang Lalake sa Parola (Jay Altarejos), Duda/Doubt (Cris Pablo), Rome and Juliet (Connie Macatuno), Twilight Dancers (Mel Chionglo), La Vida Rosa (Chito Roño), Tuhog (Jeffrey Jeturian) and Live Show (Jose Javier Reyes). De los Reyes, Pablo, Macatuno, Roño and Jeturian are graduates of UP CMC.

Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (March 5, 5 p.m.) is about a woman, traumatized by the massacre of her family in the 1970s, who plans revenge on the responsible military officer. Laman (March 5, 7 p.m.) focuses on a young couple’s problems mainly caused by a rich businesswoman who lusts for the husband and a gigolo who seduces the wife. Ang Lalake sa Parola (March 5, 9 p.m.) tells the story of a lighthouse caretaker in a conservative rural community who falls in love with another man.

Duda/Doubt (March 6, 5 p.m.) is a tale of infidelity in a relationship between two men while Rome and Juliet (March 6, 7 p.m.) is a romantic journey of two women caught in a web of forbidden love. Twilight Dancers (March 6, 9 p.m.) is about a macho dancer who is pressured to “dance” to the tune of the new global economy.

La Vida Rosa (March 7, 5 p.m.) revolves around a couple’s dangerous life as con artists. Tuhog (March 7, 7 p.m.) is a disturbing yet entertaining movie within a movie where a mother and daughter are abused twice – first by a rapist who happens to be a family member and then by incompetent filmmakers. Live Show (March 7, 9 p.m.) is a story of poor Filipinos forced to perform sexual acts in front of paying customers.

An open forum with the director and other guests follows every screening of the film.

Tickets are priced at P200 for each film, but students with valid IDs can pay only P100. A festival pass which allows one to view all nine films costs P1,000.

The sponsors of the Director’s Cut film festival are Microdata Systems and Management, Globe Telecom, Philippine Airlines, Cravings, Strategic Organizational Services Philippines (Stratos) and the UP Centennial Commission.

The film festival is part of UP’s centennial celebration. For ticket inquiries and other details, please contact Dr. Arminda V. Santiago or Prof. Ma. Rosel San Pascual at (632) 920-6864 or (632) 920-6867.

When Timawa Meets Delgado @ Robinsons Galleria on March 12-18, 2008

Directed by Ray Defante Gibraltar
Photography by Oscar Nava
Poetry by J.I.E. Teodoro
Produced by ON Creative Production

This unconventional story revolves around the unconventional lives of JUN DELGADO and RUBEN TIMAWA and their American dream.

Jun Delgado, on one hand is a self-proclaimed filmmaker whose parents and siblings are already in America, decides to enroll in nursing after breaking up with his girlfriend who is pestering him
to do something with his life, to earn money, and live a normal life. Delgado also dabbles into video coverage of weddings, baptisms, and funerals, and pornography to earn his living.

Ruben Timawa, on the other hand is a gay literature teacher and a Palanca award-winning writer, decides to enroll in nursing when the object of his desire, a supposed to be rabid leftist leaning street activist, went to America. The only way for Timawa to go to America is to become a nurse first.

The two meet at the College of Nursing dean's office. And this meeting opens worlds of possibilities for these two losers.

The 18th Negros Summer Workshops 2008 will showcase short films. commercial videos, and theatre productions created by students. A panel of notables including film, theatre and print media personalities facilitate the workshops and recognized leaders judge and present special awards.

A special program honoring the best films and videos will highlight the closing ceremonies. Additionally, the program will feature a Media Lab of cutting edge film making technology; Children and Teen Theatres; and a panel series that will bring together leading filmmakers, directors, actors, and writers in the industry.

2008 Negros Summer Workshop will be on April 21 – May 17, 2008
Registration and Enrollment

March 03 - April 19, 2008

The 11th Crystal Piaya Awards
This Php. 25,000.00 video competition is open to all amateur and professional video and filmmakers.

8-35 minute video shorts are judged according to technical quality as well as relevance of its message.

Deadline for entries in the 11th Crystal Piaya Video Competition:

May 12, 2008 – 12:00 nn

Office of the Artist in Residence, USLS

http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/aboutus.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/courses.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/accomodation.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/awards.html
http://www.usls.edu.ph/NSW/contactus.html

by Fr. Adonis Narcelles Jr. SVD

There is a gentle revolution happening in the Philippines. It is neither political nor economic. The revolt happens in the very heart of filmmaking. Its proponents and followers are the numerous film "guerillas" who have finally found an avenue to express their creativity and freedom. There is a breeze of fresh air which invigorates the contemporary scenario of Philippine Cinema. The Filipino achievement in this era of indie (short for independent), experimental and digital filmmaking has come. "Tirador," in winning the Caligari Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2008, proves that this Pinoy revolution works- in the world of filmmaking.

This "new epoche" of filmmaking in the Philippines brings out a new breed of young and dynamic filmmakers. This is the advent of the independent digital filmmaking. The emergence of affordable and user-friendly digital cameras and editing softwares make this rapid evolution possible resulting to a new film consciousness in the Philippines with a profound interest in festivals abroad, like the 58th Berlin Film Festival. The Berlinale this year was an avenue where the metamorphosis of filmmaking was acknowledge and admired. It was an historical event for the Philippines. This prestigious, glamorous and one of the biggest film festivals in the world recognized the international quality of digital Filipino films. For the first time in the long history of Philippine Cinema that six Filipino films were shown at the Berlinale from February 7 to 17, 2008. Indeed, this Berlinale documents the greatness of this creative spirit present in various characteristics of Filipino filmmaking- experimental, documentary, live musical accompaniment and screening with three projections.

"This is one of the hardest films I have shot." Director Brilliante Mendoza admits the challenges he encountered in making "Tirador" (Slingshot). He spoke before the international audience after the first screening, the European Premiere of his film at the Colosseum Cinema in Berlin on February 9, 2008. He worked on three cameras to shot the scenes in the dangerous areas of Manila, particularly in Quiapo in order to capture the life and operation of poor small-time crooks, the "little criminals" who do dirty tricks to earn money. His guerilla film-making has been recognized around the world. "Tirador" has been shown at film festivals in Toronto, Singapore, Granada, Pusan and in Marraketch where it won the International Special Jury Prize.

Director Mendoza also impressed the judges in Berlin that they awarded "Tirador" with the much-coveted Caligari Award 2008. It is the first Filipino Film to win this award which is given to a film in the Berlinale Category of International Forum of Young Films. It is the most important recognition of a film under this category. This award, given for the 23rd time this year, has been awarded to films which are thematically innovative and stylistically creative.

This award includes an endowment of 4,000 € prize from the sponsors: the Bundesverband kommunalen Filmarbeit, the German Federal Association of 150 cultural cinemas and the film journal "Film-Dienst".

The judges gave the Award to "Tirador" with this reason: "Well-thoughtout paradigmatic sequencing shows daily survival between pickpocketing, gambling, part-time-jobs, arbitrary police acts and corrupt politicians. Dramatic highpoints are blended into scenes of everyday life." Indeed this film blends fiction and reality to portray the life of street criminals who are exposed to crimes, drugs, and abuses. What was originally planned as a documentary film turned out to be a feature film with the local election and the Holy Week as its backdrop. "Tirador" refers figuratively to somebody who makes a hit (tira) which refers to hired killer, drug addict, thief and the like. Director Mendoza workled closely with the film's writer Ralston Joel Jover and even interviewed "little criminals", went to their houses and in places where they do their petty crimes in order to show authenticity in his film which was originally planned to be documentary.

The corruption of politicians and abuses of police officials are also portrayed in the film. The drama of Philippine elections with rampant vote-buying and empty promises of policians were also shown. The movie ends with the little criminals joining the people in a prayer rally in Manila, an event which was attended by senatorial candidates who promised a better life and future for the people.

Director Mendoza was born 1960 in San Fernando, Pampanga and studied Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas. He worked in television and theater before focusing into filmmaking. His fifth major film gathers film legends like Jaclyn Jose, Julio Diaz and several young actors whose films have been shown and recognized in film festivals abroad: Jiro Manio ("Magnifico", Best Children Film at Berlinale 2004), Nathan Lopez ("Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros", Best Children Feature Film and Teddy Award, Berlinale 2006), Kristofer King ("Ang Babae sa Breakwater", Cannes 2004) and Coco Martin ("Masahista", Locarno 2005). His major films which were shown in major international film festivals which include: "Masahista" (The Masseur, 2005), "Kaleldo" (Summer Heat, 2006), "Manoro" (The Aeta Teacher, 2006) and "Foster Child", 2007. Director Mendoza was joined in Berlin by other "Tirador" staff: Producer Ferdinand Lapuz of Centerstage Productions, Script Supervisor Armando Lao and Actor Coco Martin.

Indeed, "Tirador" and the other Filipino films who made it to this year's festival are products of the blooming independent film genre brought about by the prevailing "digital revolution" in the Philippines. Filmmakers are more free to try new tricks and express themselves using unconventional methods. And their efforts and creative achievements are being recognized, if barely at home, then in many international film festivals, like at the Berlinale.

March 5 to 7, TARC Auditorium, UST

*FREE ADMISSION, but only local films are open to the public
(Organized by The Varsitarian, official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, and Institute of Religion in with UST Journalism Society, UST Literary Society, and Concilium Philosophiae)

March 5, Wednesday
8 A.M. OPENING CEREMONIES
*Registration
9 - 9:30 A.M. A CHILD FROM CHINA (documentary, Aurora Santiago)
*Registration
9:40 - 11:10 A.M. FOSTER CHILD (full-length feature, Brillante Mendoza)
*Lunch break and registration
1 - 3:40 P.M. FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN (foreign film, Lloyd Kramer)
*Registration
4 - 4:20 P.M. SA KAMBAS NG LIPUNAN (documentary, Joey Velasco)
*Registration
4:30 - 6 P.M. ENDO (full-length feature, Jade Castro)

March 6, Thursday
8 - 8:15 A.M. ESTROPA (documentary, Sheryl Rose Andes and Michael Juancho Galang)
*Registration
8:20 - 9:50 A.M. TRIBU (full-length feature, Jim Libiran)
*Registration
10 A.M. - 12:10 P.M. SHADOWLANDS (foreign film, Richard Attenborough)
*Lunch break and registration
1 - 1:15 P.M. AMBULANCIA (short film, Richard Legaspi)
*Registration
1:20 - 2:50 P.M. TRABAHO (full-length feature, Ned Trespeces)
*Registration
3 - 4:15 P.M. ANINO (full-length feature, John Isiah Reyes, UST College of Nursing)
*Registration
4:20 - 4:40 P.M. TUNAY NA BUHAY (documentary, Jasper Chavez Zarzuela)
*Registration
4:50 - 5:20 P.M. LABABO (short film, Seymour Barros Sanchez)
*Registration
5:30 - 7:10 P.M. CHINA CRY (foreign film, James F. Collier)

March 7, Friday
8 - 10 A.M. PAY IT FORWARD (foreign film, Mimi Leder)
*Registration
10:10 - 10:30 A.M. KARSEL (short film, Rianne Hill Soriano)
*Registration
10:40 - 11:10 A.M. TUTOS (short film, Louise Anne Yamsuan)
*Registration
11:15 - 11:45 A.M. UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE (documentary, Anna Isabelle Matutina and Herbert Villalon Docena)
*Lunch break and registration
1 - 2:50 P.M. BARAKO (full-length feature, Manolito Sulit, UST)
*Registration
3:15 - 4:50 P.M. TIRADOR (full-length feature, Brillante Mendoza)
*Registration
5 - 5:30 P.M. SONDA (documentary, UST College of Nursing)
*Registration
5:40 - 7:20 P.M. STILL LIFE (full-length feature, Katski Flores)
CLOSING CEREMONIES

*Registration: first-come, first-served basis (4 classes per film showing)
*20-30 seats will be reserved for guests and walk-in audiences
*Foreign films are exclusively for UST students, professors, and officials
*Audience for each film are requested to be in the venue 15 minutes before the showing starts (for registration)
*OPEN FORUM for films with attending directors (or cast/crew)

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.

KONTRA-AGOS RESISTANCE FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDUL0 5-11 December, Indie Sine, Robinson's Galleria
5 December, Wednesday OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM FREE ADMISSION

7-7:30 PM cocktails 8 PM
Lupang Hinirang
Welcome Remarks:
Independent Filmmakers Cooperative
Kontra Agos Organizers
Special Guest Performance
Introduction of Walai: Adjani Arumpac
9 PM Screening of Walai by Adjani Arumpac

SHORTS 1 – Mindanao shorts (Programmed by TENG MANGANSAKAN)
7 PM December 6 (Filmmakers’ Reception), 3 PM December
8, 10 PM December 9, 1 PM December 10

ME’GUYAYA (Documentary)

By Eduardo C. Vasquez, Jr.,

Me’guyaya is a Te’duray term for merry-making or thanksgiving. In 2003, an active and concerned group of people in Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan initiated a festival that would unite all residents in thanking God for the abundant harvest. Since then, it has become a big town event that celebrates the richness and diversity of the Muslim, Christian and Lumad peoples of Upi.

The documentary delves on how the Me’guyaya serves as a catalyst for cultural unity as everyone gets involved in the festivities.

TRANQUIL TIMES (documentary)
By Loren Hallilah I. Lao

The documentary delves on the good governance efforts of the private sector, civil society and the local government unit of Wao, Lanao del Sur working together to erase remnants of the religious and ethnic clashes of the 1970s. It explores how peace has been achieved in this multi-ethnic town, ropelling the once-turbulent municipality into its present agricultural renaissance.

GEORGE’S TOWN (Documentary)
By Moises Charles Hollite

George Sabandal is one of about 2,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have sought refuge in the town of Buluan, Maguindanao as a result of the “all-out war” in 2000. Refusing to go back to the place of his origin, he has created a new life for himself and his family in their ideal town.

SULU (Documentary)
By Al Jacinto

Born of a Muslim mother, young writer Arthur Sakaluran Abasalo decides to visit Sulu despite the perceived strife and presence of Muslim rebels and Abu Sayyaf terrorists. In Sulu, he meets a former Muslim rebel-turned policeman who tells him about his life story and how he got separated from his family for more than a decade. He returns to Sulu to start a new life after being reunited with his family.

Arthur returns to Manila after a short stay in Sulu, bringing with him memorable stories and truths about the island feared by many as a dangerous place to go.

BINITON (Narrative)
By McRobert Nacario

A story depicting the process of preparation and cooking of a dish called Biniton that is particular to the community of Saniag, Ampatuan. The process of cooking, in the eyes of an old woman, brings to life the hardships they experienced amidst armed conflict at the same time the process of preparation, through the experience of Amel, her grandson walks us through the current situation of their community. How amidst the hardships and diversity in culture they had all managed to bounce back and become united.

A STEP FOR MY DREAM (Narrative)
By Mona Labado

Seven-year-old Abdul dreams of becoming a leader of his town. He has natural charisma and easily becomes friends with people even if he hasn’t known them for long. But his grandmother reminds him of their peasant roots which is no match to the traditional ruling family. Undaunted, Abdul sees it as a challenge envisions his future.

DREAMS (Narrative)
By Sheron Dayoc

Nine-year-old Satra has been mute for as long as she could remember. But her determination to secure a good education reverberates clearly amid the strictures of her Yakan culture.

SHORTS 2
Screenings: 7 PM December 7 (Filmmakers’ Reception), 1
PM December 9, 9 PM December 10, 4 PM December 11

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF GLORIA (animation/ 1 min.)
By RJ Mabilin

A satire on the different political and economic issues the country faces under the Arroyo administration.

THRESHOLD (experimental/ 15 mins.)
By Mikhail Red

Seeking the Threshold, the Wanderer, endures a dark journey through the unknown and into the limits of the human mind.

BINGO (documentary/ 16 mins.)
By Noriel Jarito

Bingo reveals life’s monotony of rural existence. People embrace almost anything: dull, inspiring, tame, untamed, reputable, and even deceptive. Their horizon is bounded by beliefs which sometimes manage to mislead, mock, and misuse their fate. They surrender and never question the path they trace. Thus, they are lost. Submission is sweet, to do otherwise is bitter. Their incomprehension is at the maximum level that wrong becomes right, and what is right becomes wrong. To play “Bingo” inside a church is never questioned and is labeled licensed by some unprincipled Catholic Church leaders. Christianity is the largest religion and surely many of its followers are destitute enough to consider “Bingo” inside their church as a source of momentary abundance.

Bingo reveals all: People are born. People are being baptized. People marry. People die. All these should have been valuable and symbolic, yet have gone awry and worthless instead. Why? Because of people’s shallowness and ignorance.

LUNES NG HAPIS (narrative/ 12 mins.)
By Nick Olanka

Virgie, an elementary school teacher, and Ismael, the captain of the troop assigned to infiltrate the rebels, are lovers in the midst of a military offense in Filomena. Every Monday they meet and make love passionately and violently. One day, due to the disappearance of Virgie's student's father, she falls into the situation to choose between her love for Ismael and her love for her community.

DIVINE WIND (experimental/ 4 mins.)
By Sari Dalena-Sicat

A Japanese soldier hides in an island, in the belief that the war has not ended.

UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE (documentary/ 30 mins.)
By Herbert Docena and Anna Isabelle Matutina

This documentary contextualizes the issue of US military presence in the country within the long and bitter history of conflict in the south. Countering the reductionist frame set by the narrative of the “global war against terror,” it examines the historical conditions that led to the emergence of the Moro separatist movement and the subsequent rise of the Abu Sayyaf. It dissects the government’s contradictory attempts to downplay its threat while at the same time justifying escalating military operations in the region.

Against this backdrop, the documentary then probes allegations of US military involvement in the war.

PUTOT (narrative/ 20 mins.)
By Jeck Cogama

Putot (Visayan for "small") is the heartfelt story of a young boy growing up at a squatter colony by the sea. Putot, aged 13, is a taciturn boy who takes care of his mentally-ill father, and ekes out a living selling mussels. He meets Mayang, a mysterious young girl with secrets of her own. A friendship begins between the two.

Shot on location near Manila Bay, this emotional story premiered at the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, where its director Emmanuel "Jeck" Cogama won Best Director. Putot has been shown around the world.

MENDIOLA (documentary/ 31 mins.)
By Sine Patriyotiko

Through the First Quarter Storm to Mendiola Massacre to Calibrated Preemptive Response: from the very start, Mendiola houses the eye of conflict. Fact is, the road from Mendiola to the Palace is several hundred meters away. Nevertheless, this still is a great risk: to look directly at the center is to show the strength to confront those in power. On the road to Mendiola, one can tread across the history of our continuous struggle for change.

SHORTS 3
Screenings: 2:30 PM December 7, 7 PM December 8
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 4:30 PM December 10, 9:30 PM
December 11

ANG BAYAN KONG PAYAPA (experimental/ 5 mins.)
By Elvert dela Cruz Banares

This is the state of our nation cycle.

SIMULA (experimental/ 11 mins.)
By Ruelo Lozendo

A worm enters a man’s ear and lives inside his body. As the worm’s metamorphosis unfolds, the man experiences his own transformation.

PUSHING THE PARAMETERS (documentary/ 27 mins.)
By Kodao Productions

2006 was the worst year for the members of the bar, with seven lawyers and judges reportedly killed within the year. A significant number of these lawyers are directly involved in human rights advocacy. Under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 19 lawyers and 12 judges were killed. And this can be seen in the light of more than 850 victims of extrajudicial killings from 2001 to 2007.

BINYAG (narrative/ 15 mins.)
By Mariami Tanangco

One night, two tragedies are about to take place. In an abandoned warehouse, rookie policeman is tasked to execute a suspected drug pusher. In the quiet suburbs, a mother is worriedly waiting for her son to come home. A social commentary on police-instigated “salvaging” that was prevalent in the late 80s, the film is intended as a personal elegy on lost innocence.

RED SAGA (experimental/ 15 mins.)
By Gabriela Krista Dalena

Children of the Land faithfully guard the last harvest from thieves. This poetic film offers a glimpse into the passion and pain of the people's protracted war in the countrysides.

MEDALAWNA (documentary/ 16 mins.)
By Apol Dating and Michael Cardoz

The story of a young girl named “Inday Liit” who helps her family earn a living by happily sweeping graveyards.

SA NGALAN NG TUBO (documentary/ 36 mins.)
By Tudla Productions

A video documentary that chronicles what happened on November 16, 2004 when seven people died at the picket lines of the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. Millworkers and farm workers of the sugar refinery and plantation owned by the Cojuangcos, one of the wealthiest, landed families in the Philippines, went on strike. Their demands were met with a volley of gunfire from military and police. Beginning with the history and background of the land issue, the film builds the tension gradually, leading up to the actual footage of the Hacienda Luisita incident, when even the filmmaker holding the camera has to run for his life.

FEATURE LENGTH

WALAI (documentary/ 60 mins.) Opening Film – premiere status
By Adjani Arumpac

Walai is an exploration of spaces.

It prods on the memories of four Muslim women who once lived in the infamous White House in Cotabato City. The documentary seeks narratives in “places...we tend to feel without history.” It traces the past through the women's experience of what has happened inside the wrecked home—nostalgia and fear, loss and love, and birth and death.

Screenings: 9 PM December 5 (Opening Film), 1 PM
December 7, 3 PM December 10, 8 PM December 11

THE JIHADIST (documentary/ 75 mins.) – premiere status
By Teng Mangansakan

The Jihadist is an autobiographical documentary on the filmmaker’s struggle as an artist amid the backdrop of the Moro revolution. His search for his rightful place in the memory of his homeland yields questions that require him to confront his identity as a Moro and come to terms with his homosexuality.

Screenings: 9 PM December 6 (Filmmaker’s Reception), 5
PM December 7, 1 PM December 8

STANDING UP (documentary/ 155 mins.) – premiere status
By Waise Azimi

Standing Up is a feature length documentary young Afghan men training to become professional soldiers in the new Afghan National Army. Situated at the Kabul Military Training Center, Standing Up chronicles the struggles and lives of these Afghan men from the moment they arrive at the KMTC to the last day of training of their training. Extensive access to the KMTC training program has provided an insiders perspective into one of the most underreported and important stories in the War Against Terror, the story of those who are Standing Up to the first line of defense.

Screenings: 9 PM December 7 (Filmmaker’s Reception),
3:30 PM December 9, 1 PM December 11

VOICES, TILTED SCREENS AND EXTENDED SCENES OF
LONELINESS: FILIPINOS IN HIGH DEFINITION
(experimental/ 100 mins.)
By John Torres

Voice, Tilted Screens is, at once, a meditation. It is a meta-film that unravels a journey, a chronicle of stories through foreign regions. It is a probing letter from outside circles, an honest account of illegitimate views from uneven terrain, and a narrative-driven exploration of the nooks and peripheries of the body, geography, and weather. As the journey progresses, the film increasingly traverses the countries of revelation, film, and heart to where all journeys are meant to end with.

Screenings: 5 PM December 6, 9 PM December 8
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 7 PM December 10

(DIFFERENT) WAYS AND MEANS
SUB-PROGRAM

HILO (experimental/ 90 mins.)
By JP Carpio

Originally conceptualized as a short film shot in 2004 and completed nearly three years later as a
full-length, the film charts the various emotional courses during a dinner between Emerson, a university professor, and Jenny, a university student.

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker’s Reception)

THE SINGH FAMILY HOME VIDEOS (documentary/ 40 mins.)
By Emman dela Cruz

A documentary work in progress, "The Singh Family Home Videos" charts an intimate look at the family life of the filmmaker's neighbors, a Punjabi Indian family who has assimilated into the Filipino culture and community. Is nationality a matter of origin? Is identity a matter of choice? Or is your "home" a matter of where you are or where you'll be?

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 6:30 PM December 11

EHEM!PLO (documentary/ 43 mins.)
By Clodualdo Del Mundo, Jr.

‘Lahat tayo ay nawawalan,’ says Heidi Mendoza, a conscientious auditor featured in this EheM!Plo
video-documentary. ‘It is because of corruption that there is poverty,’ argues former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo. They are correct. Corruption ruins our democratic institutions – tempting any to be angry and hopeless. Young people, like Melonie Maglia of Ifugao, are longing for leaders with conscience and competence, not public officials who, according to Fr. Vhong Navarro, invent projects for selfish interest. Mayor Jesse Robredo and Allen Reondanga of Naga City prove that good examples do exist. They employ I-governance and community participation in their struggle to uplift the condition of the Bicol region.

EheM!Plo shows that indeed corruption is violence. If this is trure, then stopping corruption and spreading integrity are now the new ways of working for peace.

Screenings: 1 PM December 6, 6:30 PM December 9
(Filmmaker’s Reception), 6:30 PM December 11

OTHER KONTRA-AGOS EVENTS:

8 December, Saturday, 5-7 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ARTISTIC FREEDOM
IN PHILIPPINE CINEMA
FREE ADMISSION

PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE LOBBY courtesy of the FREE JONAS
BURGOS MOVEMENT

Kontra-Agos Resistance Film Festival is an Initiative of ST Exposure and Digital Cheese in cooperation with UP Sining at Lipunan and the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative. Visit www.kontra-agos. blogspot. com. For inquiries about the festival write to kontra_agos@ yahoo.com

"In the history of RP (Republic of the Philippines) Cinema, it is only recently that it has explored variations on the theme of queer. The year 2007 has yielded films that are all characterized by new expressions of queer not typical of conventional pinoy gay or pink film."

"Homoerotica assumes a richer context beyond the realm dominated by stereotypes of gay as transvestites or parlorista. The trend has manifested apparently in the current year but it could be credited to the 2006 gem of a digital feature by Will Fredo titled COMPOUND."

"UP Film Institute is rescreening the film this November (2007) for all the acclaim it has garnered not alone for the queer factor."

"Certainly not for the squemish and the faint of heart. Strictly for mature viewing!"

Nonoy Lauzon, Film Programmer
University of the Philippines
Film Institute

COMPOUND
a psychological thriller

by Will Fredo

Starring John Arcilla, Janet Russ, Jake Macapagal and Liza Diño
with Joan Palisoc, Perry Escaño, Lily Chu, Marq Dollentes
Music Score by Bob Aves

Produced by HUBO Productions, Inc.

NOV 10 Saturday 2, 5, and 7pm
NOV 12 - 15 Monday to Thursday 4:30 and 6:30pm
Nov 17 Saturday 2:30, 4:30, 6:30pm

Admission Php 50
For Mature Viewing

UP Film Institute Videotheque
Videotheque 2nd Floor
Osmena Ave., Entrance Film Institute Building
(between the Carillon Tower and the tennis court)
UP Diliman, Quezon City

SNEAK PEEK of Will Fredo's next film from HUBO Productions,
"Sa Pagdapo ng Mariposa" will be shown before the featured movie.