Ate Vi’s Ekstra one of 4 Phl films showing at Toronto Int’l Filmfest

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos’ first indie starrer, Esktra (directed by Jeffrey Jeturian), will have its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) which runs from Sept. 5 to 15.

The Toronto screening comes on the heels of Ekstra’s winning several awards at the just-concluded Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, including Best Actress for Ate Vi for her performance as a bit player.

Ekstra is included in the Contemporary World Cinema category of the TIFF.

Three other Filipino films are showing in Toronto.

Brillante “Dante” Mendoza’s Sapi will also have its world premiere in Toronto as part of Vanguard Section. It stars Dennis Trillo, Baron Geisler and Meryl Soriano. 

Norte (Hangganan ng Kasaysayan) by Lav Diaz, which garnered critical raves when it played in the Un Certain Regard section in Cannes last May, will have its North American premiere in Toronto. It stars Sid Lucero, Angeli Bayani and Archie Alemania.

Fresh from its Cannes screening, Lino Brocka’s restored version of his classic Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (Manila In the Claws of Light), starring Hilda Koronel and Bembol Roco, will be presented at TIFF’s Cinematheque.

All four filmmakers have screened their films in Toronto before — Jeturian’s Kubrador in 2006; Mendoza’s Masahista in 2005, Tirador in 2007 and Serbis in 2008; Diaz’s Ang Ebolusyon ng Pamilyang Pilipino in 2004, Death in the Land of the Encantos in 2007 and Siglo ng Pagluwal in 2011; and Brocka’s Macho Dancer in 1988, Sa Kabila ng Lahat in 1991 and Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang in 1999.

More on romantic pair Echo and Kim

Asked what she found “strange” about Filipinos, Kim Jones said, “The way they bade each other goodbye. They really take their time, unlike we Australians when we simply say, ‘Goodbye’ and off we go on separate ways.”

And asked what else he liked about Kim, Jericho Rosales said, “Her being nurturing. One time, a girl she didn’t even know called Kim for (pieces of) advice and Kim actually talked to her on the phone for eight straight hours!”

Engaged two Sundays ago, the sweethearts are planning a beach wedding but have set no date yet.

What’s up?

From Lu Panlilio (sister of the late 1964 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Myrna Panlilio-Borromeo), this invitation: There will be a Balik-Ulit Ex-Citi reunion at Bayanihan Center at Unilab, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City on Oct. 6, at 4 p.m. For details, call 0917-5337242.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)