Phl Day at 38th HK Int’l filmfest

MANILA, Philippines - As a tribute to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, the 38th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) held the Philippines Day last March 30 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre with benefit screenings of Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel with Eugene Domingo and On The Job featuring Joel Torre and Piolo Pascual. 

A short film on the aftermath of Yolanda in the Philippines titled Heart of Storm, produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) was also shown. 

French film star Catherine Deneuve graced the occasion along with Filipino artists Joel Torre, Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo and Mimi Juareza of the movie Quick Change, which is also being shown at the HKIFF, and Roger Garcia, executive director of the HKIFF Society, who presented HKIFF’s donation of HK$20,000 (P110,000) to the Philippine Red Cross for the typhoon  victims. 

From left: Santos, Voogel, Deneuve and Garcia during the presentation of the cheque donation to the Philippine Red Cross.

The screenings were followed by a question-and-answer portion with the audience which was composed of the Filipino Community, diplomatic corps and film enthusiasts. The Philippines Day was held in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR, FDCP, Prime Credit and SMART-PLDT.

The 38th HKIFF also featured the Philippines as one of the countries in focus with screenings of the following Filipino movies: Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag by Lino Brocka; Sapi by Brillante Mendoza; Barber’s Tales by Jun Robles Lana; Otso by Elwood Perez; Norte: The End of History by Lav Diaz; and Quick Change by Eduardo Roy.