Guide to Cinema One Originals Festival 2015: Kakaiba Ka Ba?

Having the theme “Kakaiba ka ba?” Cinema One Originals aims to bring exciting entries to this year’s festival. The said festival will run from November 9 to 17 at Trinoma, Glorietta, Resorts World Manila and SM Megamall with the presentation of nine feature films in competition, 10 short films in exhibition, 11 foreign films, three restored classics and a special presentation.

OPENING FILM

“A family is caught in a financial ruin after being involved in a ponzi scheme.”

Erik Matti’s “Honor Thy Father” starring John Lloyd Cruz will be this year’s festival opening film which will be screened at TriNoma Mall Cinema 7 on November 8, 2015, 6PM. The film had its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival 2015 as part of the Contemporary World Cinema Program.

FILMS IN COMPETITION

The nine feature films in competition are the following (Click the title to view the teaser/trailer):

“Baka, Siguro, Yata” by Joel Ferrer
“Bukod Kang Pinagpala” by Sheron Dayoc
“Dahlin’ Nick” by Sari Dalena
“Dayang Asu” by Bor Ocampo
“Hamog” by Ralston Jover
“Manang Biring” by Carl Joseph Papa
“Mga Rebeldeng May Kaso” by Raymond Red
“Miss Bulalacao” by Ara Chawdhury
“The Comeback” by Ivan Andrew Payawal

Joel Ferrer’s cross-generational screwball rom-com “Baka Siguro Yata” stars Valerie “Bangs” Garcia, Dino Pastrana, Ricky Davao, and Cherie Gil.

Sheron Dayoc’s religious horror gothic “Bukod Kang Pinagpala” featuring real-life mother and daughter Bing Pimentel and Maxie Eigenmann as a mother and daughter in the grip of sinister forces.

Ivan Andrew Payawal’s comedy about suicide and celebrity “The Comeback” features Kaye Abad as a fading star whose life takes an unexpected turn.

Sari Dalena’s “Dahling Nick,” an experimental docu-fiction hybrid that celebrates the life and work of Nick Joaquin with Raymond Bagatsing in the eponymous title role.

Bor Ocampo’s “Dayung Asu,” featuring Ricky Davao and Junjun Quintana as a father and son enmeshed in a life of crime, is a homage to Pinoy action set in a unique milieu.

Ralston Jover’s “Hamog” blends neo-realism and magic realism with Zaijan Jaranilla and Teri Malvar as street children.

Carl Joseph Papa’s fully-animated “Manang Biring” is the touching story of a terminal patient and her estranged daughter with Erlinda Villalobos in the title role.

Raymond Red’s “Mga Rebeldeng Walang Kaso” is a look back at the early days of the first wave of Philippine independent cinema with Felix Roco, Epi Quizon, Earl Ignacio, and Nicco Manala.

Ara Chawdhury’s “Miss Bulalacao”, which introduces performance artist Russ Ligtas in his first film role, is a comedy about a young drag queen whose life is changed by a strange encounter.

SHORT FILMS

In commemoration of revolutionary cinema, Cinema One Originals 2015 will pay tribute to the first wave of Pinoy indies–the short filmmakers from the 80’s led by Raymond Red, Nick De Ocampo, Rox Lee and Joey Agbayani who are tagged as the pioneers of alternative cinema. As an auxiliary program, there will be a showcase of 10 short films from the Philippines, New Zealand and Iran.

The following are the 10 short films to be screened this year:
(Click the title to view the trailer)

“Junilyn Has” by Carlo Manatad
“Sanctissima” by Kenneth Lim Dagatan
“Dindo” by Martika Ramirez Escobar
“Pusong Bato” by Pam Miras
“Reyna Christina” by Pia Dimagiba
“Memorya” by Jovanni Tinapay
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas” by Bor Ocampo
“Anino” by Raymond Red
“A Love Story” by Steven Baker
“The Tenant” by Mohsen Mahkmalbaf

WORLD CINEMA

The 11 foreign films under “World Cinema” category are the following:
(Click the title to view the trailer)

“The Assassin” by Hou Hsiao-Hsien (Taiwan)
“Journey to the Shore” by Kurosawa Kiyoshi (Japan)
“Right Now, Wrong Then” by Hong Sang-Soo (South Korea)
“Interrogation” by Vetri Maaran (India)
“The President” by Mohsen Makhmalbaf (Georgia/Iran)
“Arabian Nights” by Miguel Gomes (Portugal)
“The Lobster” by Yorgos Lanthimos (Ireland)
“Rams” by Grimur Hakonarson (Iceland)
“The Treasure” by Corneliu Porumboi (Romania)
“A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on its Existence” by Roy Andersson (Sweden)
“Mustang” by Deniz Gamze Erguven (France)
“Frenzy” by Emin Alper (Turkey)

RESTORED CLASSICS

Cinema One Originals will also present three digitally restored and re-mastered classic Filipino films.
(Click the title to view the trailer)

Grand premiere of Ishmel Bernal’s “Ikaw ay Akin”
Lino Brocka’s “Insiang”
Marilou Diaz Abaya’s “Karnal”
Olivia Lamasan’s “Sana Maulit Muli“

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

There will also a special presentation of Cinema One’s production of Sherad Sanchez’s found footage horror film “Salvage,” starring Jessie Mendiola as a reporter lost in a haunted jungle.