ISFFM 2021 brings the love of cinema to life – Manila bulletin

Silence still rumbles at 3 p.m.!

Before all of the detailed dialogue, roaring sound effects and even 5D cinema that amplified our viewing experience, in the ‘silent years’ of 1910-1927, movies had only pictures and contained no sound. recorded synchronized. A silent film follows a format invented in 1860, but it remained a novelty until the late 1800s and early 1900s. Fast forward to the present day, silent films have undoubtedly retained their significance. quite unique charm. At the very least, he’s still a wealthy medium who takes his hat off where it comes from.

From November 24 to December 3, 2021, the Japan Foundation Manila, the Embassy of Italy with the Italian Association of the Philippines, the Instituto Cervantes, the British Council in the Philippines, the Goethe-Institut, the Embassy of France and the Film The Philippine Development Council (FDCP) will present the 15th edition of the Manila International Silent Film Festival (ISFFM). This year the festival will present six classic silent films from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the UK, with nine short films specially produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines to represent the Philippines, all accompanied by original musicals. scores of local bands and musicians. The program will be broadcast online via the FDCP channel fdcpchannel.ph/

To mark the festival’s 15th anniversary, an opening ceremony will take place at the newly renovated Metro Manila Theater, Manila’s Art Deco architectural gem built in the middle of the Filipino “Silent Era”. The opening ceremony by invitation, organized by the Japan Foundation Manila will be followed at 5:20 pm by the screening of 雄 å‘‚ è¡€ (“Orochi”Or Serpent), a 1925 action film by Futagawa Buntarō, the music of which will be performed live by the band Munimuni. This is a pre-COVID-style movie concert – in person, but within current health restrictions.

With the exception of the opening day, the programming of this 15th edition of the ISFFM includes screenings and webinars of international round tables, which will be fully accessible online from November 25 to December 3, 2021. Faithful to the the essence of the festival, all silent films will be composed of original music exclusively composed and performed by local bands and musicians.

Here is an overview of the entire program online.

On November 25, at 3 p.m., the Instituto Cervantes will screen “Carcéleras”(1922) directed by José Buchs, followed by the first round table at 5 pm which explores the theme“ How to watch a silent film ”, with speakers from Spain, Italy and Japan. The Philippine-Italian Association will close the day with a screening at 7:00 pm of the silent film “Pinocchio” (1911) directed by Giulio Antamoro.

On November 26, at 3 pm, the British Council in the Philippines will screen “Dr. Wise on Influenza” (1919) commissioned by the Department of Health. The 5 pm panel discussion will focus on “Restoration and Reinvention” in the film archives, presented by speakers from the UK, Germany, France and the Philippines. The Goethe-Institut Philippinen concludes the second day with the screening of “Das Wachsfigurenkabinett”(The Waxworks) (1924) directed by Paul Leni and Leo Birinski.

On November 27, at 3 pm, the French Embassy will screen “The Foreman”, followed by a masterclass at 5 pm which explores the history of silent cinema in the Philippines, led by our own Filipino speakers. The third day will be closed by the Japan Foundation, Manila with the screening of 雄 呂 血 (“Orochi”) (1925) directed by Futagawa Buntarō.

From November 28 to 30, all silent films on demand will be available on the FDCP channel.

December 1 to 3 will be dedicated to the screening of the nine short films produced with the very first edition of the FDCP “International Silent Film Competition Mit Out Sound”. Nine Filipino filmmakers worked with nine film composers to produce silent short films that represent the Philippines in this year’s ISFFM. These short films and their filmmakers are “Ang Tatlong Hambog“by Sari Catherine,”Tianak“By EJ Gagui and Marienel Calma,”Alingasngas from Kuliglig“By Vahn Leinard C. Pascual,”The Pagsuyo of Paru-Paro ng Gabi“By Racquel De Guzman Morilla,”Dikit“by Gabriela Serrano,”Ha-Ha-Hambog“By Kate Torralba and Jopie Sanchez,” I need more than tofu and other vegetables “by Hector Barretto Calma,”Putol“(The Cut) by Nikolas Red, and”The Pagdadalaga of Dalagang Bukid»By José Carlos Soliongco.

The Festival will end with a closing evening of the ISSFM2021, and the award ceremony for the best productions of Mit Out Sound.

For updates and inquiries, please head to the official Facebook page of the Manila International Silent Film Festival.