03 April 2014 – Excerpts from the Filipino film “Busong: Palawan fate” by Independent Film Director Auraeus Solito, also known as Kanakan Balintagos, were screened at Laos’ Vientianale Film Festival on  March 8 at the Garden of the Lao Cinema Department.  It was the first-ever Filipino film to participate in the Festival which had its beginnings in 2010.  

 “Busong” is the indigenous Palawan concept of fate or instant karma. It is a story of how natural and mystical forces react instantly to man’s disrespect of nature and other men.  The film starring Alessandra de Rossi was among the 21 featured films in the Cannes Directors' Fortnight in 2011. 

The Vientianale Film Festival this year also featured documentaries and short films from Laos and other countries from Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.  Present at the Festival were officials of the Lao Government led by Dr. Bounchom Vongphet, Director General of the Cinema Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism; Mr. Somsanouk Mixay, Vice President of the Lao Foreign Journalists’ Association; members of the diplomatic corps; numerous Lao and expatriate film enthusiasts; and members of the Filipino community.  Mr. Athixay  Boundaoheaung, Ms. Helene Ouvrard and Ms. Margarete Magiera, core members of the Vientianale Team were also present.

On the second day of the Festival, 16 Lao short films were featured as part of the short film competition with a “you+me” theme tackling stories about love, friendship, and family.  Director Solito was requested to award the Audience prize for the favorite film category.  The film festival also featured performances by Khao Niew Puppet Company, Lao Bang Fai and a Lao rock band.

The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane and the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) worked in partnership to bring the internationally-acclaimed and award-winning director Auraeus Solito and his film “Busong” to Laos and the Vientianale. END