Tarantino to help typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines - Renowned filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has pledged to do his share to help the Philippines recover from the devastation left by “Ondoy.”

Tikoy Aguiluz, festival director of the Cinemanila International Film Festival which is now on its 11th year, announced this yesterday at the press conference for the event, which is set Oct. 15 to 25 at the Market! Market! Cinemas in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“Tarantino is donating the proceeds from the premiere of his film, Inglorious Basterds, to the victims of typhoon Ondoy,” said Aguiluz. 

The film, which stars Brad Pitt, premieres Oct. 16, 8 p. m. at Market! Market! Cinemas. The film is set in German-occupied France and depicts the attempt to carry out two assassination plots against the Nazi political leadership.

Aguiluz added that Tarantino himself wanted to come over to the Philippines, but decided instead to send one of his actors. The actor, however, backed out when he saw the destruction wrought by Ondoy. 

More than 100 international and local films will be screened in the festival for a span of 10 days. These films range from the toast of the independent cinema scene to award winners in prestigious festivals like Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam, Sundance and Pusan.

Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza opens the festival on Oct. 15 with the screening of his latest film, Lola.

The film, says Aguiluz, mirrors what recently happened to the country since it shows two grandmothers aboard a banca in flood-stricken Malabon.

Palme d’Or winner Raymond Red’s first major film in nine years, Himpapawid, will close the festival on Oct. 25.

The city of Taguig, headed by Mayor Freddie Tinga, has waived all amusement taxes for the film festival. He added that students will also get discounts.

The film festival also features seminars on filmmaking and scriptwriting at Fully Booked in Taguig.

Writer-director Paul Schrader who wrote Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Last Temptation of Christ, will hold a master class on Oct. 20, 3 p.m. at Market! Market!