MORE than 200 Cebuano films created in the early 1930s will be shown during the CinemaRehiyon.
The Cebuano Cinema Development Council (CCDC) seeks to revive those golden days by offering film grants to filmmakers soon.
“Although nothing is in place yet, we are trying to revive Cebuano cinema to the masses lest they forget, by offering film grants to encourage filmmakers to continue with the industry,” said Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran, council member.
Beltran said she has been working on the film grants since the conception of the CCDC, and hopes to be able to finalize it by the end of the year.
The CCDC was created through City Ordinance No. 2404, backed by Cebu City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco.
Upon the official establishment of the CCDC last April, Beltran wanted to deliver the best for the seventh staging of CinemaRehiyon: Sa Kinasang-an sa Ikapito nga Alampat (At the Crossroads of the 7th Art) to be held in Cebu for the first time on Aug. 6-9.
Beltran believes that a national film festival of this magnitude will help promote Cebu’s local flavor and language to a national delegation that will be coming to Cebu.
Digitally remastered versions of Cebuano film classics such as “Badlis sa Kinabuhi” by Leroy Salvador, “Manok ni San Pedro” by Joe Macachor, and “Alyana” by Gene Labella will be shown at the CinemaRehiyon.
“It’s time for Cebu to show its past films by coming to CinemaRehiyon. We cannot revive our local film industry without the support of the Cebuanos,” said Beltran.
Cebuano actors from the ‘70s and the ‘80s including Queen of Visayan movies Gloria Sevilla, Pilar Pilapil, Suzette Ranillo, Julian Daan and Undo Juizan, will be in CinemaRehiyon.
“Cebu is currently in a unique situation, with such a long history of film, and resurgence of a new breed of Cebuano filmmakers, which is why we are holding CinemaRehiyon here,” said vice-head for CinemaRehiyon, Teddy Co.
Among the 17 regional films to be shown are Nef Luczon’s documentary on the Pan-ay Bukidnon community named “Father said, Let’s Return Home”; Lester del Valle’s “Walang Rape sa Bontok”; Adjani Arumpac’s “War is a Tender Thing”; and Ivy Universe Baldosa’s “Marciano.”
All these films will be shown in a simultaneous exhibition in SM City Cebu and Cine Oriente. Admission is free.
Aside from the full-length lineup, screenings of over 54 Cebuano short films will be held at the mini theater of Film and Media International Arts Academy as well as outreach screenings in select venues and special viewing of national artist Lamberto Avellana’s creations. /UP Cebu Intern Juli Ann M. Sibi
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