League of San Francisco Consular Corps Holds Special Screening of Documentary On Oscar-Winning Director

Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, spouse of Consul General to San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto, Jr, and President of the League of the San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC), welcomes LSFCC members and guests to the screening of a documentary film on Oscar Awardee William Wyler at the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino of the Philippine Center in San Francisco, California on 17 October 2019. (San Francisco PCG photo)

SAN FRANCISCO 20 November 2019 — The League of San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Philippine Center Management Board, held a special screening of a documentary film on Oscar Awardee and American Director William Wyler, on 17 October 2019 at the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino of the Philippine Center.

LSFCC is composed of the spouses of the members of the San Francisco Consular Corps and the US Support Group and the activity was led by LSFCC President Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, spouse of Consul General to San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto Jr.

In her remarks, Madame Bensurto welcomed the group and other guests to the museum, which showcases Philippine culture and heritage. She thanked Ms. Judy Sheldon, daughter of Mr. Wyler, for gracing the event and sharing the legacy of her father.

The documentary film, which was directed by William Wyler himself, presented the director as an uncompromising, perfectionist, and passionate artist who brought out the best in his actors and made a number of unforgettable films, including Roman Holiday, Ben-Hur, and Wuthering Heights. Roman Holiday starred Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, who got an Oscar for her first starring role.

Ms. Sheldon shared her father’s passion for his craft and his great love and attention for his family. Her father also advocated for the preservation and development of the silent film industry. After the film showing, Ms. Sheldon briefly talked about her growing-up years in Hollywood and joining her father and family in filming locations abroad, including Italy where the film Ben-Hur was produced in 1959.

William Wyler was an American film director, producer and screenwriter. His notable works included Ben-Hur (1959), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), and Mrs. Miniver (1942), all of which won Academy Awards for Best Director, as well as Best Picture in respective years. END

Madame Ann Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto (left), spouse of Consul General to San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto Jr. and President of the League of the San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC), poses with Ms. Judy Sheldon (right), daughter of Oscar Awardee and Hollywood Director William Wyler, after the screening of documentary film on Oscar Awardee William Wyler at the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino of the Philippine Center in San Francisco, California on 17 October 2019. (San Francisco PCG photo)

The Oscar trophy of Hollywood Director William Wyler for winning Best Director for the movie Mrs. Miniver (1942) was displayed at the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino of the Philippine Center during the screening of  documentary film on Oscar Awardee William Wyler on 17 October 2019. The event was organized by the League of San Francisco Consular Corps, in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, and the Philippine Center Management Board. (San Francisco PCG photo)

Ms. Judy Sheldon talks about her father, Oscar Awardee and Hollywood Director William Wyler at the screening of documentary film on Oscar Awardee William Wyler at the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino of the Philippine Center in San Francisco, California on 17 October 2019. (San Francisco PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/.