Cinema Centenario for the month of June brings in Freedom and LGBTQ-themed movies, alongside the 1st #CineManunuri Film Festival, to be screened at the premiere micro-cinema of Quezon City located along food hub Maginhawa Street.
As the country commemorates Independence Day, CC gathers a selection of films that address the theme of nationhood and freedom: Panahon ng Halimaw, Lav Diaz’s rock-opera which competed at the Berlin Film Fest about a desaparecidos (disappeared) during the Marcos Regime; Citizen Jake, Mike de Leon’s first film in 18 years about a conflicted journalist whose father, remnant of the Marcos regime, presently serves as Senator of the current administration; Magtanggol, Sigfreid Barros Sanchez’s political thriller about another Senator, a champion of OFWs, who finds himself as prime suspect in a series of murders; Tu Pug Imatuy (Right to Kill in Manobo) by Arbi Barbarona (Red Barbi), about a Lumad couple whose displaced lives are compromised with their relation to the military.
CC also brings back the restored classics Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon by Eddie Romero about the Philippines at the dawn of the American Occupation; Oro Plata Mata by Peque Gallaga, a sweeping drama about Filipinos fighting among themselves during the Japanese occupation; Dekada ’70 by Chito Roño, based on Lualhati Bautista’s novel about a woman raising a family during Martial Law; and the premiere at CC of Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos by Mario O’Hara about a woman who yields to the charms of a Japanese soldier during WWII. Another return engagement is the much-awarded Respeto by Treb Monteras II about an aspiring hip-hop artist from the slums in the time of EJK.
Other films under the Freedom banner are Honor Thy Father, Erik Matti’s crime drama about a family caught in an investment scam and Yield by Victor Delotavo Tagaro’s documentary about child labor shot during a five-year span, this screening is co-presented by the documentary group DoQ.
June being Pride Month, CC joins in the celebration with a spate of LGBTQ films starting with two restored classics: T-Bird At Ako by Danny Zialcita, the Nora Aunor-Vilma Santos starrer about a lesbian-lawyer who falls for her hostess-client; and In My Life by Olivia Lamasan about a mother who has to come to terms with her son and his male lover. Pride month also brings back the charming Ang Huling Cha-cha ni Anita, CineFilipino 2013 Best Picture by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo about a 12-yo girl who falls for the new girl in their provincial town of Obando; and the musical Changing Partners, Cinema One Originals 2017 Audience Choice by Dan Villegas about Alex & Cris played by four actors (2 males & 2 females) in several gender-bending combinations.
Also in the line-up: Kasal, Cinemalaya 2014 Best Picture by Joselito Altarejos about a male couple who question their commitment to each other while attending a wedding; 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, Cinema One Originals 2016 Best Picture by Petersen Vargas about a high school sophomore who finds himself drawn to two half-American transferees; Baka Bukas, Cinema One Originals 2016 Audience Choice Awardee directed by Samantha Lee about a budding actress who falls in love with her lesbian-best friend; Quick Change, Cinemalaya 2013 Special Jury Prize by Eduardo Roy Jr. about a transgender who provides quick cosmetic fixes to other transgenders; Mga Gabing Kasing Haba ng Hair Ko, QCinema Intl Film Fest 2017 Best Picture Nominee – under the Rainbow Category by Gerardo Calagui about transwomen as they ply their trade along the business district; Miss Bulalacao by Ara Chawdhury about a drag princess who wakes up pregnant, presumably by an alien force, it is the 2015 Cinema One Originals Best Screenplay awardee and Best Supporting Actress for Chai Fonacier, it also won Best First Feature at the 2016 Young Critics Circle; Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, Gawad Urian 2012 Best Picture by Alvin Yapan about a triumvirate involving a literature teacher, an assistant dance instructor and a student brought together by poetry and movement.
Advance ticket purchase and walkins are accepted. For ticket reservations and other inquiries, please contact 0945 536 7054.
Here’s the schedule for the first week of June:
