Melo Villareal
Instituto Cervantes’ PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival 2016 to run from October 5 to 16 at Greenbelt 3
Fans of contemporary Spanish cinema have another event to watch out for—the PELÍCULA-PELIKULA, which will kick off on October 5 and will culminate on October 16. The film festival, which started running in 2002, will be presented by Instituto Cervantes, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Embassy of Spain.
For 14 straight years, the Spanish Film Festival has become a yearly attraction for those who are yearning for top calibre films. This year, PELÍCULA-PELIKULA, will feature over 20 films at the Ayala Malls Cinemas at Greenbelt 3.
PELÍCULA-PELIKULA got its name from the Spanish word “película,”, and from its Tagalog origin “pelikula,” which both means film. The festival name resonates the cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines.
Films To Be Presented
Featuring the best of Spanish and Latin American cinema, the festival will start with the presentation of award-winning film Truman, which brings bitter comedy to the audience; the film is under the direction of Spaniard Cesc Gay.
Latin American cinema is also on spotlight in this year’s PELÍCULA; films from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela and Chile will be featured. In the roster of Latin American films are the Venezuelan comedy Azul y no tan rosa, directed by Miguel Ferrari in 2012; Chilean drama of Alejandro Fernández, Aquí no ha pasado nada (Much Ado about Nothing) of 2016; and an award-winning drama from Argentina, El clan (2015).
The Spanish Film Festival will also feature films from various genres. These include the romance film Palmeras en la noche, Isla bonita; comedy film Perdiendo el norte, Mi gran noche, Las ovejas no pierden el tren; drama film Techo y comida; suspense film Cien años de perdón; and documentary film Sacromonte, El rayo.
In cooperation with the Embassy of Colombia, La Noche del Cine Colombiano will be featured for the first time in the history of the said festival on the 10th of October. Before its screening at 9:30 pm at the Greenbelt 3 cinema 1, the adventure film and winner of Filmmakers Fortnight Art Cinema award at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, entitled El abrazo de la serpiente (Embrace of the Serpent), will be screened at 7 pm.
Audience Choice Award
Members of the audience have a chance to vote for their favorite movies in PELÍCULA. As part of the annual tradition, moviegoers will be given some stubs in which they can rate the movies they have watched. To qualify for the raffle, the moviegoer needs to watch at least five movies from the festival. Prizes include round-trip ticket to Spain along with other goodies.
In collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), selected films will likewise be screened in Baguio, Davao, and Iloilo.
PELÍCULA won’t be made possible if not for the help of the following sponsors: Ayala Malls Cinemas, Turkish Airlines, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura de España, San Miguel Corporation, Spanish Agency for Cooperation (AECID), in partnership with ICAA, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce,Vibal Foundation, Ayala Museum, the Embassy of Colombia, and Buzz Productions.
For more information about the schedule of film screenings, head on over to the official website of Instituto Cervantes (www.manila.cervantes.es) or check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila
