THE 7th CINEMALAYA FILMFEST is the most exciting to happen in the local film scene lately and its awards night will be held tonight at the CCP. We’re sure the jurors headed by Mario O’Hara and Doy del Mundo will have a hard time choosing the winners as there are so many good entries, especially in the New Breed Category, unlike last year when most of the entries were bad. In the Directors Showcase, we’re partial to Joel Lamangan’s “
Patikul”. It’s the only entry that really moved us, based on a reality situation about how the war in Mindanao affects its people and the fight of farmers to obtain good education for their kids. In the New Breed category, our best bet is “Babae sa Septic Tank”, but we won’t complain if “
Sayaw ng Dalawang Paa”, “Nino”, “
Ligo na U Lapit na Me” would also win awards. For best actress, Eugene Domingo is still the one to beat since she gets to play not only herself but the vital role of a destitute mom that is shown being interpreted in various other ways. Our next choice is Jean Garcia, who sparkles and looks ethereal as the teacher-dancer in “Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”, then Fides Cuyugan Asencio as the aging opera singer taking care of her invalid brother in a decaying mansion in “Nino”. For best actor, we won’t mind if any of these young actors would bag it: JM de Guzman and Kean Cipriano in “
Septic Tank”, Rocco Nacino and Paulo Avelino in “Sayaw”, and Edgar Allan Guzman in “Ligo na U”. For best supporting actor, there’s only one qualified: Art Acuna as the loser of a son in “Nino”. For best supporting actress, our bets are Raquel Villavicencio as the randy balikbayan daughter with a dark past and Shamaine Centenera Buencamino as the cousin who’s a closet butch in “Nino”.
Those who missed the entries at CCP can watch them in UP starting July 26 at “Cinemalaya Goes to UP Diliman”. On July 26, Tuesday, “Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” is shown at 5 PM and “Septic Tank” (which will be released by Star Cinema in theatres on August 3) at 8 PM. Wednesday – “Amok” at 5 PM, “Bahay Bata” at 8 PM, Thursday – “Cuchera” at 5 PM, “I-Libings” at 8 PM, Friday – “Nino” at 5 PM, “Ligo na U” at 8 PM. August 2, Tuesday – “Teoriya” at 5PM, “Bisperas” at 8 PM/ Wednesday – “Isda” at 5 PM, “Busong” at 8 PM, Thursday – Short Films A at 5 PM, “Patikul” at 8 PM. Friday – Short Films B at 5 PM,7 and 9 PM – the best picture winners at the New Breed and Directors Showcase categories. You can get your tickets right at the UP Film Institute box office before each screening.
