17 June 2014 - The 2014 “Across Asia Film Festival: Focus on Filipino New Wave” was held in Rome from May 31 to June 1 at Italy’s Museo delle Arti del XXI secolo (National Museum of Art of the 21st Century) or the MAXXI, a building designed by famous Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.
With the strong support of the Filipino Development Council of the Philippines, the following Filipino “new wave” films were featured during the Film Festival, free of charge:
Likewise honored in the Film Festival was Director Khavn De La Cruz whose films such as “Mondomanila”, “EDSA XXX”, and “Miserecordia” were shown to Italian and Filipino art film enthusiasts and the public. Apart from being a filmmaker, Khavn is also a poet, singer, songwriter, and pianist.
The Film Fest also generated a festive atmosphere with a wonderful celebration of Filipino sound and movement. Filipino performers rendered distinct Filipino performances from ballad songs, rap music, beatbox, hiphop dance, and the Filipino singkil and tinikling.
The Philippine Embassy in Rome manifested pride in Filipino filmmakers who were featured in the Across Asia Film Festival. Mr. De La Cruz personally went to Rome to share his talent and expertise through his films to both Filipinos and Italians alike.
In the morning of June 1, Mr. De La Cruz conducted a free filmmaking seminar entitled “The Zero Minute Film School”, which was attended by both Filipino and Italian film enthusiasts.
In the evening, Mr. De La Cruz again rendered a public performance through a free piano concert while accompanying the showing of his film entitled “Kalakala”, about the victims of typhoon Sendong.
In his remarks to formally open the Film Festival, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. said that while some independent Filipino films featured in movie festivals may tend to focus on the seamy and sordid side of the Philippine life, the greater majority of Filipinos are law-abiding citizens and that is possible to lead peaceful, productive lives all throughout the Philippines.
The Embassy commended the “Across Asia Film Festival” in advancing better appreciation of Filipino culture and arts, for being an important partner of the Embassy in promoting a positive image of the Philippines and the Filipino people. END