19 September 2013 – Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. graced this year’s Moviemov in Rome 2013 at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni which ran from September 13 to 15. The Opening Night was dedicated to an impressive and well-regarded Filipino film entitled “Boundary,” by world-renowned Filipino filmmaker Benito Bautista.

Mr. Benito Bautista is the man behind award-winning documentary films like “The Gift of Barong: A Journey From Within and “Samuel over the Rainbow.” His latest project, “Boundary,” was awarded Best Film at the 2011 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in Manila. It is inspired by true stories of taxicab drivers in the roadways of Manila.

The main characters, Limuel, the taxicab driver and Emmanuel, the mysterious passenger, journey together from Manila to the foothills of Antipolo. Their seemingly endless ride becomes the focus of the film intended to evoke mixed emotions of drama, comedy and suspense.

Another Filipino film featured was “Kumusta Kayo, Dr. Jose Rizal?” a film collaboration of the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the artist Count Federico Wardal together with Filipino-American Director Jason Zavaleta. It is a recording of Dr. Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” in Italian, a masterpiece of poetry and feeling.

During the Ambassador’s closing remarks, he described “Kumusta Kayo, Dr. Jose Rizal?” as the type of film which the Embassy is endeavoring to promote, to balance the somewhat negative image projected by recent films featured in movie festivals which tend to focus on the seamy and sordid side of Philippine life.

The Ambassador also announced that the Philippine Embassy in Rome will have its own film showings of movies of Cannes awardee Lino Brocka, as well as Eddie Romero, Ishmael Bernal and Peque Gallaga. END