Cine Europa in Metro Manila

Those of you who are currently in Metro Manila or planning to go to Manila or Cebu this week, or next week, may wanna check out Cine Europa, which is an annual event that brings excellent films from 17 European countries to the Philippines, and is now getting bigger and better as it turns 13. And here's the best part - ADMISSION IS FREE. Yes, Cine Europa started holding free screenings in the Philippines in 1998.

The festival kicked off on September 9—with public screenings from 10th to 19th at the Cinema 2 of Shang Cineplex in Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City—the film festival aims to give the Filipinos more than a glimpse of Europe's rich culture through the silver screen. This year's selection of movies, carefully handpicked to cater to the tastes of Pinoys,  covers a wide breadth of emotions—love, laughter, hope, despair, survival, courage, and even steadfastness.

From Manila, Cine Europa will then move to Ayala Center in Cebu, from September 22 to 24, and then to Liceo de Cagayan de Oro, from  September 30 to October 3. Too bad, no Iloilo. [screening sked & list of movies is at the JPEG file here]

SPECIAL SCREENING. And to foster a more vibrant and engaging rapport with Filipino stakeholders in the industry, the Goethe Institut in Manila will hold a special screening of The Laughing Star on September 15 at the Alliance Francaise, Makati City.

The film is a documentary of multi-awarded German film maker Werner Schroeter that tackles Philippine history starting from the Spanish revolution to the Marcos regime. The idea came about after he was invited to the Manila International Film Festival in 1983, and got completed after consultations with the UP Film Center and friends from the Philippine movie industry as well as historical research.

Unfortunately last April 12, Mr. Schroter died. He could no longer fulfill his wish, which is to come back to the Philippines. But his good friend, Austrian Peter Kern, also the producer of Laughing Star, is continuing his legacy.