07 July 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Israel hails the inclusion of the acclaimed Filipino film, “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) in the 33rd Jerusalem Film Festival. The film, by acclaimed director Lav Diaz, will be featured under the Festival’s Masters category, in recognition of renowned international filmmakers. It will premiere on July 07 and will be screened again on July 17 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial lauded the film’s participation in the film festival as an affirmation of the great artistic vision and talent of Filipinos in world cinema. “I am certain that Lav Diaz’s paean to the Philippine Revolution will be critically appreciated in the Middle East as it has been in Europe,” Imperial said.
Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) weaves together Philippine literature, mythology and history, particularly that of slain revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio. The film features Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz in starring roles. It won the Alfred Bauer Prize for a feature film that opens new perspectives in cinema at this year’s 66th Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) in Germany.
The Jerusalem Film Festival dedicates a central and unique space to Israeli films (premiering features, documentaries, and shorts), and provides one of the few platforms that present the world’s finest contemporary cinematic trends to its local audiences. Over the years, the Festival has screened film debuts by Wong Kar Wai, Tsai Ming-liang, John Sayles, Jim Jarmusch, Stephen Frears, Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, Neil Jordan, John Lasseter and other names that have turned into masters of our time. Many of these directors’ films became regulars at the Festival and have become personal favorites with the Israeli audience.
The ten-day Festival screens 150 to 200 films in a number of categories and program. END