FIRST of its kind in Asia, the International Silent Film Festival (ISFF) prides itself on being a venue for eclectic musicians to infuse their art into forgotten classics, as they add new gradients to black-and-white films while their flavor sparks new interest in the younger set.
Once again, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Japan Foundation-Manila, the Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine-Italian Association, the Goethe-Institut Philippinen and the Embassy of Austria bring to local movie aficionados a “one-of-a-kind, quirky experience that won’t disappoint.”
Loyal audiences, since 2007, have joined the ISFF to witness an exceptional array of curated silent films, which have been made fresh with original scores performed live.
On its 13th edition, the ISFF joins the Philippines in celebrating its first centenary in cinema—considered a milestone in Southeast Asia.
Professor Nick Deocampo, author and film historian, will share his extensive knowledge in Asian filmmaking during his lecture on August 31 at 1 p.m.
The FDCP will open the festival on Friday, August 30 at 8:30 p.m. with a presentation of a 37-minute documentary about the Kalingas, which was directed by Dean C. Worcester in 1913. Teddy Co, who chairs the film commission of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, selected the film, which will be live scored by local indie band Munimuni.
On Saturday, August 31 at 3 p.m., the Japan Foundation-Manila will present The Downfall of Osen (1935) by Kenji Mizoguchi, a story about a beautiful servant girl used by her unscrupulous employer, an antique dealer, to help his illegal business. A live musical performance by Kaduma ni Karol will accompany the film.
On the said date at 5:30 p.m., Instituto Cervantes will present a comedy directed by Carlos Fernández Cuenca, Es Mi Hombre (“He’s My Man,” 1926). The film tells about Don Antonio who, beset by misfortune, must fend for himself and his daughter Leonor, until luck smiles upon him unexpectedly after a series of odd jobs. Tarsius, a Manila-based duo, will take on the live score for the film.
The Philippine-Italian Association completes the August 31 offerings at 8:30 p.m. as it will present L’Onestà del Peccato (“The Wife He Neglected,” 1918), directed by Augusto Genia. The film revolves around the tragic character of Maria d’Alconte played by an intense Maria Jacobini. Her sacrifice restores order and justice in a world weighed by greed and arrogant intellectualism. Collaboration between Stef&No, a sax player and composer from Turin, together with the Pocket Orchestra, will provide a fresh score for the silent movie.
On Sunday, September 1 at 4 p.m., the Goethe-Institut will screen Von Morgens Bis Mitternachts (“From Morn to Midnight,” 1920) directed by Karlheinz Martin. An adaptation from the Expressionist theater play by George Kaiser, the story centers on a bank teller who gives into temptation and steals from a rich old lady. The movie, which never saw the light of day in Germany, was thought to be lost. Anima Tierra, a unique ensemble inspired by traditional world music, will play the live score.
At 7:30 p.m., the Embassy of Austria will present Kalif Storch (1924), directed by Hans Berger. The film tells about the misadventures of Caliph Chasid of Baghdad and his Grand Vizier Mansor after they buy magic powder from a wizard. Based on a fairy-tale by Wilhelm Hauff, the movie is one of the few remaining family-friendly flicks from the Austrian silent film era. Rock band Tanya Markova shall take on scoring duties for this year’s closing film.
The 13th International Silent Film Festival is made possible in partnership with SM Aura Premier, with the support of the Embassy of Italy, Cinetecadi Bologna, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of Spain, Filmoteca Española, Matsuda Film Productions, Globe, HearLife Foundation Inc., Med El, Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia.
All screenings will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on the schedule and inquiries, follow the Facebook page @InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila or check the following links: FDCP—https://www.fdcp.ph/, https://www.facebook.com/FDCP.ph/; The Japan Foundation- Manila—https://www.jfmo.org.ph/; https://www.facebook.com/jfmanila; Instituto Cervantes—https://manila.cervantes.es/, www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila; Philippine-Italian Association—https://philippineitalianassociation.org; Goethe-Institut Philippinen—https://www.goethe.de/manila; and the Embassy of Austria – https://www.bmeia.gv.at/manila.
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