THIS WEEK AT CINEKATIPUNAN

Monday to Saturday, 8-13 January 2007

Cinekatipunan to Feature Films That Affirm Filipino Dignity and Tackle the Complex Relationship Between the Philippines and the United States

Monday, 8 January
FOREIGN FILM/FILMMAKER In FOCUS
Surprise Program TBA


Tuesday, 9 January
Ditsi Carolino: RILES (Philippines/Documentary/2002/Digital/70 mins)

From the first astonishing shots of men, women and children casually moving their belongings from the railroad tracks seconds in front of an onrushing train, Ditsi Carolino makes the viewer feel completely at home in what should be the most alien of environments. Focused on a couple, the film settles into the rhythm of life along the tracks in Manila with an intimacy that never feels intrusive. RILES is a humbling and indelible portrait of human dignity, resilience and community.


Wednesday, 10 January
FILMS BY VISUAL ARTISTS curated by Poklong Anading


Thursday, 11 January
5:30 - 8:00 PM
Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez: ANAK NI BROCKA
(Philippines/Narrative/2005/150 mins/Filipino with E.S.)
Seymour Barros-Sanchez: LABABO
(Philippines/Narrative/2006/17
mins/Filipino and English with E.S)

LABABO (Kitchen Sink) covers significant dates concerning the Philippines' relationship with the United States. Parallel to these historical events is the story of Kuala (a crazy woman based on the female character in Lino Brocka's "Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang") and a young woman named Juana who both fell for the same American soldier, Joe. "Lababo" is a look into the complex relationship between the Philippines and the United States. This relationship is mirrored in the lives of the film's protagonists, two Filipinas who fall in love with an American soldier. The short film comes at the most opportune time, when the Philippines is taking a closer look at the Visiting Forces Agreement in the wake of the alleged rape of a Filipina by American soldiers in Subic.


ANAK NI BROCKA (The Son of Lino Brocka). A motley group of television journalists stumbles upon a possible scoop: that the Philippines' national cinema hero, Lino Brocka, actually sired a son. Video cameras in hand, they set off in search for clues by asking people if they might have come across a young man named "Onil" who claims he is the son of Brocka. They delve into the life of the National Artist, even going so far as to interview director Brocka's family members,
friends, associates, and many of the actors and actresses he groomed. In the end, the journalists discover a lot of things about the late filmmaker-much more than they expected. This eye-opening digital feature includes interviews with many of the late directors protégés and colleagues including Nonie Buencamino, Jacklyn Jose, Gina Alajar, Bembol Roco, Angie Ferro, Jeffrey Quizon, Joonee Gamboa, Chanda Romero, Soxy Topacio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Geoff Eigenmann, Nanding Josef, Allan Paule, Timothy Diwa, Francis Magalona, Behn Cervantes, and Philip Salvador.


Friday, 12 January
Camilla Griggers and Sari Ll. Dalena: MEMORIES OF A FORGOTTEN WAR
(USA,Philippines/Documentary/Digital/2001/60 minutes)

In the decade following the Spanish-American War, more Filipinos were killed by US troops than by the Spanish during the 300 years of colonial rule. More than 1 million Filipinos died between 1899 and 1913. Yet few remember any details of the war or why it was fought, though the war's history holds the key to twentieth century US foreign policy in Southeast Asia. This experimental documentary about the
Philippine-American war of 1899 combines archival photographs and turn-of-the-century film, digital video and 16mm film footage to create memories of a forgotten history. A contemporary Filipina-American narrator weaves this complex history through historiography, experimental documentary and intercultural cinema. Shot on location in the Philippines and edited in the US, MEMORIES OF A FORGOTTEN WAR was produced by an international team of Filipino and American film and media artists.


Saturday, 13 January
FIRST FILMS: University of the Philippines, Diliman, Film Production Theses
MISTERYO NG HAPIS; SAKDAL LAYA; ONE MAN SHOW; TAGAPAGLIGTAS; KALARO(Curated by Mark dela Cruz)

TAGAPAGLIGTAS (Savior) is film is about the lives of small-time abortion service providers. Lupe is an overprotective mother who aborts babies to support her daughter Cristina. Anghel, on the other hand, is Lupe's agent who looks for potential customers and accompanies them to her house. A sudden turn of events happens when Cristina gets pregnant and tries to abort her baby herself.

KALARO. Nightmares are something that seems so harmless. It is as if
everybody gets nightmares once in a while. But for Helen, an early 30's woman, her nightmares have been part of her reality. Even as she wants to face her present positively, her nightmare keeps on haunting her and keeps weighing her down. These recurring nightmares have been memories of her past that she thought she had buried already. But it keeps on living inside her. How could she finally leave behind this
haunting past?

MISTERYO NG HAPIS (Sorrowful Mystery)

A father waiting for forgiveness…
A son asking for acceptance…
… And a past that binds them two.

Filming your own life is a very hard thing to do. It takes a lot of courage and determination in doing such a film. For me, I see it as reel versus real: inside the reel is the reality of life. And I am very much afraid on the question of how will I be able to convince my audience that what is inside the reel is actually real. Sometimes there could be painful past that can never be easily forgotten due to the big scar it had left. And only time knows when it would totally heal. Packed with much courage and determination, here it is… an emotional story about a person going on a dilemma in trying to heal his never forgotten past. Forgiveness and Acceptance. Matriarchy and Patriarchy. Sorrows and Joys.


Held Mondays to Saturdays at Mag:net Café Katipunan, Cinekatipunan screenings start at 5:30 PM. While the film screenings are free, viewers are encouraged to make voluntary contributions for the honoraria of the filmmakers. Cinekatipunan programs precede Mag:net Café's nightly holding of Live Performances by well-known and emerging bands and musicians. Mag:net Café is located along Katipunan Avenue
(fronting Miriam and Ateneo) in Quezon City. For more inquiries please call 9293191 or email magnetcafekatips@ yahoo.com.ph or visit www.magnet.com.ph.