Richard Soriano Legaspi’s short film “Pamatid-Gutom” was officially selected to be part of the Short Wave program of the 10th World Film Festival of Bangkok, which takes place at Paragon Cineplex and Esplanade Cineplex Ratchadapisek, Bangkok from November 16 to 25.
“Pamatid-Gutom,” the Philippines’ sole representative to the film festival, is a stark rendition of electoral politics in post-EDSA Philippines. A desperate mother, played by internationally-acclaimed actress Mercedes Cabral, takes part in the feeding program of the mayor of a city to feed her baby. Upon seeing the favorable response of the wife of the mayor to her child, she undertakes a disturbing gamble.
The short film, a co-production of Red Room Media Productions with non-government organization Focus on the Global South – Philippines, is part of “EDSAngangdaan: The EDSA Stories Film Festival” which was organized in commemoration of the 25 years of the EDSA People Power movement.
The WFF Bangkok, the longest-running film festival in Thailand, will once again feature a wealth of cultures and perspectives from filmmakers around the globe. Aside from the Short Wave program, the festival presents a quality selection of 84 films in four other categories, namely Cine Latino, Cinema Beat, Doc Feast, and Asian Contemporary.
Apart from “Pamatid-Gutom,” another interesting highlight for Filipinos is the US-produced documentary “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey” directed by Ramona S. Diaz who also previously helmed “Imelda.” It follows the real life rock-n-roll fairy tale story of Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from YouTube to become the front man for iconic American rock band Journey, becoming the latest performer to go from the Internet to real life celebrity.
The opening film “Mekong Hotel” by Apichatpong Weerasethakul shuffles between fact and fiction and expresses the bonds between a vampire-like mother and her daughter, young lovers and the river. A co-production of Thailand, France, and the United Kingdom, it was shot during Thailand’s heavy flooding and also weaves in layers of demolition, politics, and a drifting dream of the future.
This year, the Lotus Awards Ceremony for people who have devoted their careers to the film industry will be given to French director Leos Carax who will receive the award in person.
The 10th World Film Festival of Bangkok is co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Nation Broadcasting Corporation Plc., The Nation, Major Cineplex Group Plc, Esplanade Cineplex Ratchadapisek, Paragon Cineplex, and Mango TV. Happening Magazine gives media support.
The event is supported by Advanced Info Service Plc.., Thai Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, and Rembrandt Hotel & Towers Bangkok with the cooperation of the foreign embassies in Thailand: Embassy of Brazil, Embassy of France, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of Peru, Embassy of Portugal, Embassy of India, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of USA, and Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Thailand.
