8th Int’l Film Fest: Rekindling birth of cinematic era

MANILA, Philippines- Home to regular events and performances that celebrate culture and the arts, Shangri-La Plaza hosts the 8th edition of the highly anticipated International Silent Film Festival Manila this August 28 to 31 at the Shang Cineplex.

Dubbed as the only one of its kind in Asia, the International Silent Film Festival Manila is presented by the Japan Foundation Manila, Instituto Cervantes, the Goethe-Institut Philippinen, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Embassies of Italy, United States of America, and France.

Commemorating the centennial of Charlie Chaplin’s birth, the Silent Film Fest 2014 opens with the USA’s City Lights on August 28, Thursday, at 8pm. From writer-director-star Charlie Chaplin is a drama comedy of a lovable vagrant falling for a blind woman who sells flowers on the street, and mistakes him for a millionaire. City Lights, considered the epitome of Chaplin’s art and crowning achievement of silent comedy, features music from Radioactive Sago Project, an eight-piece ensemble known for spoken word poetry, bebop, free-jazz, punk, soul, funk, rock, and afro-Latin tunes.

Germany’s Der müde Tod (Destiny) premieres August 29, Friday, at 5pm, following the story of a young woman who wants to reunite with her lover, but can only do so if she can save the lives of one or all of three young men. One is located in Baghdad, one in Venice of the Borgias, and one in China during the Ming Dynasty. The young woman fails to save them and submits herself to death instead. The Manila Composers Lab, an organization of Filipino composers and producers founded by Dr. Jonas Baes, lends music to the film together with German Composer Pierre Oser.

Following shortly after at 7:30pm is Verdun: visions d’histoire (Verdun:  versions of history) from France. The film is made by Leon Poirier back in 1927, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Armistice, a reconstitution of the Battle of Verdun. It was later on restored on the occasion of the centennial of World War I. Scoring the film live is award-winning French pianist Hakim Bentchoula-Golobitch.

A story on love, honor, deception, and passion, Ma l’amor mio non muore! (Love Everlasting) from Italy screens on August 30, Saturday, at 5pm. Here, the grand dukedom of Wallenstein is betrayed by the evil Stahr, who steals the layout of the Grand Duchy’s defenses, leaving the colonel suspected of treason, and his beautiful daughter forced into exile. Caliph8, together with artists Fred Sandoval, Paolo Garcia, and Fame Flores, known for the effective collaboration of their individual musical styles, come together to provide musical score to the film.

At 7:30pm, Chuji Tabi Nikki (A Diary of Chuji’s Travels) from Japan, follows the story of Kunisada Chuji, a kindly yakuza boss in Japan. Due to crimes committed by his own men, he is forced to conceal his identity. In the process of escaping, he falls in love, is later on found out, until he finally gets caught by authorities. Experimental indie electronic duo KaapiN, composed of Michael Nuesca and Rotsanjani Mojica, mix sonic soundscapes with visual art and theatric elements for this film.

On August 31, Sunday, at 5pm, Spain’s Curro Vargas presents a sweet love story set in the 19th century in a small town in Granada. Curro, whose father died and was raised by a local priest, falls in love with Soledad, daughter of a moneylender. Curro then migrates to America to make himself rich and become rightful of Soledad’s hand. Blues and rock ‘n’ roll group Glass Cherry Breakers provides music to this love story.

Finally, culminating the film fest at 7:30pm is the Philippines’ Ang Tigmo sa Aking Pagpauli (Riddles of my Homecoming). Alfad journeys in his afterlife, trying to connect the puzzles in his life. He finds a hometown in ruins, and ultimately, an afterlife void of peace. Providing musical background to the story is Kalayo, which means fire, with members from all over the country, passionate about sharing their emotions through music.

The 8th International Silent Film Festival Manila is made possible in partnership with the National Museum of Modern Art of Tokyo, the Embassy of Spain, Filmoteca Española, Philippine-Italian Association, EUNIC Philippines, and the FDCP’s Film Cultural Exchange Program (FCEP).

For inquiries, contact 370-2500 loc. 579 or log on to www.shangrila-plaza.com. Add Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook: shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage.