‘Sonata’ Wows Russian Students at the Mgimo University ASEAN Week Film Festival

Students and professors from MGIMO University, Moscow State University, and other universitiesin Moscow watch “Sonata” during the Philippine Day of the ASEAN Week in MGIMO University on 7 December 2017. (Photo by S. Pamocol)

12 December 2017 MOSCOW – The award-winning Filipino film “Sonata” wowed Russian students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University. It was screened on December 07 in celebration of the Philippines Day which was part of the ASEAN Week in MGIMO University. This week long event was organized by the Students Society for Southeast Asian Studies and ran from December 04 to 08.

Sonata, which tells the story of a has-been opera diva (Cherie Gil) and a precocious child (Carlo Jalandoni) who brings her out of the rut, garnered rave reviews from the audience composed of students and professors from MGIMO University, Moscow State University (MSU) and other universities in Moscow. They praised the excellent acting of the cast, particularly Cherie Gil, story-telling and cinematography.

Sonata was directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes and produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Central Digital Lab. 

Below are some of the reactions/comments from the professor and students taking up Philippine Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of MSU:

“Maraming salamat sa pagpapakita ng pelikulang ito sa mga estudyante pagkat nakita nila rito ang buhay, diwa at kultura ng mga Pilipino.” - Professor Elena Frolova.

“Talagang maganda ang pelikula…Maganda at malinaw ang laman ng pelikula…di karaniwan ang tapos at nagustuhan ko ito, maraming salamat.” - Alexandra Usacheva, 3rd year student.

“It is the best Philippine film I have ever watched in Tagalog or English. I was so touched that I begin to cry at the end of the film.  I really love the story, the talent artists, the music and the way of film shooting. Talagang nakakalungkot ang pelikuhang ito ngunit binibigyan nito ang pag-asa.  Nagpapaala-ala ito ng pinakamahalagang bagay sa buhay: kaligayahan, pamilya at pagmamahal. Gustung-gusto kong makita ito nang isa pang beses! – Mariya, student.

The Philippine Embassy in Moscow arranged the film screening in collaboration with the FDCP and the Cultural Diplomacy Unit of the Office of the International Economic Relations of the Department of Foreign Affairs. END

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph.

Handwritten comments on Sonata from the audience.