Castlemaine State Festival has announced that as part of the 2017 Focus on the Philippines program, the 2017 Festival includes a specially curated series of six award-‐ winning films, each providing a unique insight into Philippine cinema and the country’s eventful and intriguing past.
Festival Director, Martin Paten commented that the Filipino film industry began in the first few years of the 20th century and is widely considered to be the oldest film industry in Asia. From theatre and literature-‐inspired film themes of the 1930s, war and heroism under American and Japanese occupation, slasher and action films made under martial law, romantic comedies of the 90s to a new wave of independent and regional filmmaking, Filipino films reflect contrast an unparalleled diversity. They reveal the complex relationships between Filipino film and Philippine society, and how potent social forces and film have the capacity to influence one other.
“The Philippines’ film industry has a phenomenal following and history – dating back to the late 19th century, making it one of the oldest in Asia.” Mr. Paten commented “These 6 carefully selected award-‐winning films have been chosen from a larger list in the hundreds. They provide an insightful window into Filipino life – whether portraying difficult and dark periods in their history or the unquenchable Pinoy sense of humour.”
The Focus on the Philippines program includes:
Himala, Miracle (1982) -‐ The dramatic story of a young Filipina villager who seems to exhibit miraculous healing powers after her claim of a visitation from the Virgin Mary. Having won a slate of film awards in the Philippines,Himala was the first Filipino film to be included in the ‘Competition Section’ of the Berlin International Film Festival and the 69th Venice International Film Festival.
Dekada ’70 The Seventies (2002) -‐ Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, this multi award-‐winning drama shows the diversity of situations and individual choices made by the five sons of the Bartolome family, as they deal with the challenges of living under martial law during the 1970s;
Crying Ladies (2003) -‐ A whimsical comedy about three women who cry at funerals, professionally. This highly humorous film with great performances offers a refreshing look at Filipino cinema