04 October 2014 – The excellent quality of the graphics, sound, special effects, and storyline of a Filipino animated film treated an international audience to a delightful Tuesday evening at the movies.
This transpired during the opening night of the 3rd ASEAN Film Festival in Prague, Czech Republic on September 09 when the Philippine Embassy exhibited the film RPG Metanoia as its entry to the Film Fest.
Currently in its third year, the ASEAN Film Festival in Prague is part of the annual work program of the ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP) which is composed of the Philippine, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese Embassies. In holding the Film Fest every year, the ACP aims to increase awareness of ASEAN, in general, and of each individual countries, in particular, not only in Prague and the Czech Republic, but also in other countries which might not be too familiar with ASEAN and its member nations.
Indeed, the Philippine screening of RPG Metanoia this year generated awareness of the quality and excellence of the Philippine animation industry. Composed of a mix of Czech, Filipino, and other foreign nationals, the audience, which was estimated to have numbered at about 185, marveled at how well the Filipino animated film measured up to the Disney and Pixar films that they are all too familiar with.
In both of his remarks during the press conference and during the opening night of the Festival, Philippine Ambassador Victoriano Lecaros emphasized that the Philippines “has always had a strong culture of animation.” Thus, the Ambassador said that the film is “intended to provide the viewer of a panoramic view not only of the film industry in our respective countries but of life in those countries as well.”
Megged by Director Louie Suarez and produced by Star Cinema and Ambient Productions, RPG Metanoia was the perfect film to kick off the 3rd ASEAN Film Festival in Prague because it certainly offered a largely international audience a first look at a Filipino animated film that features traditional Filipino family values that happen to be shared universal values as well.
In his conclusion, Ambassador Lecaros said that “RPG Metanoia, with its quirky characters, the imaginative visuals and a story rooted simultaneously in traditional Filipino family values and modern pop cyber-culture, it is our belief that Mr. Suarez and his dedicated team succeeded wonderfully . . .” And, after the screening at the opening night of the 3rd ASEAN Film Festival, the audience must have thought so, too. END