FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos at the The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest. They rolled out the red carpet for the stars at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Written and photographed

by Jude Bautista

In his speech during the Moviemov fest opening, FDCP (Film Development Council of the Phil) Chairman Briccio Santos made an important claim, “I am proud to announce that our partners in L’Immagine Ritrovata will be once again heading our next restoration project- Lino Brocka’s ‘Maynila Sa Kuko ng Liwanag’. This is in partnership with the Martin Scorcese World Cinema Foundation.”

(Center) Amb Luca Fornari is flanked by Glenna Fernan Guidicelli (left) and Matteo Guidicelli. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Maja Salvador at the The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest. They rolled out the red carpet for the stars at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

The relationship between Italian and Filipino filmmakers has been long and fruitful, “Moviemov will be highlighting this growing relationship between Italian and Phil cinemas. The history of Italian Phil cinema relations goes way back in 1952, when the Venice Film Festival was the first international film festival that recognized and honored the artistry of Filipino filmmakers with the inclusion of Manuel Conde’s ‘Genghis Khan’.”

Piolo Pascual is flanked by hotties from left: Ginger Conejero and Maricar Reyes. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Actress Vanessa Gravina, The Godmother of Moviemov. The Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista

2012 is an important year for the Fil-Italian relations, “Sixty years after, Phil Cinema continues to grace Venice year after year. This year alone, the restored version of ‘Genghis Khan’, that was made possible in partnership with the festival, was shown together with ‘Thy Womb’, Brillante Mendoza’s most recent masterpiece.” Incidentally, Filipino audiences will have the chance to watch lead star Nora Aunor in “Thy Womb” as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Amb. Luca Fornari of Italy with Sea Princess Tessa Prieto Valdes beside the 2013 Ferrari California. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

The Moviemov film fest had a glitzy opening at the Ayala Museum with the screening of ‘Caesar Must Die’ at the Greenbelt 3, last December 4^th, 2012. The fest also flew in Italian actors: Andrea Bosca (Magnifica Presenza ), Salvatorre Striano (Cesare Deve Morire- Caesar Must Die!), Alessio Gallo (L’Intervallo-The Interval) and Davide Iacopini (Diaz). Vanessa Gravina was touted as The Godmother of Moviemov by Artistic Director Senator Goffredo Bettini.

Davide Iacopini (Diaz) and Serena Foddis pose on a fully restored Vespa PX150. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

from left: Matteo Guidicelli, Maricar Reyes and Andrea Bosca. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Not to be out done Pinoy Heart throbs were also in attendance: Piolo Pascual, Maja Salvador, Matteo Guidicelli, Sam Milby, Xian Lim, Denise Laurel, Maricar Reyes, Kuya Manzano, Maxine Mamba of TV5’s ‘Moneydrop’, Tessa Prieto Valdes, Gwendolyn Ruais, Priscilla Meirelles, Ginger Conejero, Qiyama actors Arnel Mardoquio, Glorypearl Dy and many more.

from right: Diether Ocampo, Phil Star EVP Grace Glory Go, Rustan’s Pres. Nedy Tantoco and Mario Borao. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

(Center) Senator Goffredo Bettini Artistic director Moviemov Italian Film festival (Right) Actress Vanessa Gravina, The Godmother of Moviemov and (Left) PIA Cultural Officer Cristina Moricca. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Moviemov has already grown in renown according to Santos, “Despite only being in its second year, the Italian Film Festival has grown to be one of the finest in the country. And the Film Development Council of the Phil is again honored to be its partner this year in this cultural exchange between the finest of Phil and Italian Cinemas.”

Alessio Gallo (L’Intervallo) at the The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest. They rolled out the red carpet for the stars at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

2nd from right: Amb. Luca Fornari of Italy in (white tux) with Sheika actors from left: Perry Dizon, Director Arnel Mardoquio and Fe Ginging Hyde (actor/producer). The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

According to him film fests have been an opportunity for different cultures to know each other more, “Today cinema serves as a diplomatic corridor that bridges cultures and nations. Through film we have the capacity and consequently are called to engage each other with mutual openness. There are opportunities to be explored and partnerships to be strengthened and rest assured, FDCP will continue to be at the forefront of such engagement. I would like to commend and thank the honorable Italian Ambassador to the Phil. Luca Fornari and Senator Gofredo Bettini for their commitment to see this festival through together with the Phil Italian Association. We hope you continue your unwavering passion to cultural endeavors and exchanges such as this.”

from left: Star Magic Chairman Emeritus Johnny Manahan and Piolo Pascual. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Santos also gave a salute to the outgoing Italian envoy who has made a lot of friends here, “To Ambassador Luca Fornari and his lovely wife Sylvana, Filipinos never like to say goodbye so we will await your return here to your second home.”

from left: Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari, Madame Silvana Norelli, FDCP Chair Briccio Santos and Mercedes Prieto. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Azkal Andrew Wolff, bagged the 1st Runner Up prize in Mr. World. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Actress Vanessa Gravina, The Godmother of Moviemov and Xian Lim. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Now on its second year the Moviemov film festival shows the growing cooperation between the Philippines and Italy. It ran from December 4-9, 2012 at Greenbelt 3. Italian actors flew in along with their films that screened in the fest: Andrea Bosca (Magnifica Presenza ), Salvatore Striano (Cesare Deve Morire- Caesar Must Die!), Alessio Gallo (L’Intervallo-The Interval) and Davide Iacopini (Diaz). Vanessa Gravina was touted as The Godmother of Moviemov by Artistic Director Senator Goffredo Bettini.

Piolo Pascual at the The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest. They rolled out the red carpet for the stars at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Salvatore Striano (Cesare Deve Morire) gives Chevalier Virgie Moreno a kiss. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Not to be out done Pinoy Heart throbs were also in attendance: Piolo Pascual, Maja Salvador, Matteo Guidicelli, Sam Milby, Xian Lim, Denise Laurel, Maricar Reyes, Kuya Manzano, Maxine Mamba of TV5’s ‘Moneydrop’, Tessa Prieto Valdes, Gwendolyn Ruais, Priscilla Meirelles, Ginger Conejero, Director Arnel Mardoquio, Fe Gingging Hyde and many more.

from left: Maricar Reyes, Gerald Anderson, Maja Salvador, Denise Laurel and Sam Milby. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

FDCP Chair Briccio Santos and Moviemov Godmother Vanessa Gravina. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

FDCP (Film Development Council of the Phil) Chairman Briccio Santos was able to talk about the exchange of films in his speech, “The festival features some of the best films in contemporary Italian cinema from Giuliano Montaldo’s emotionally chilling “The Entreprenuer” to the intimate adolescence felt in Leonardo di Costanzo’s “The Interval” and from Gutierrez Mangansakan II’s moving tragedy “Qiyamah” to the revolutionary “Deakda 70”, this festival promises the most engaging works by Italian and Filipino filmmakers today. And tonight we are graced by some of these fine filmmakers, actors and actresses from both shores.”

2nd from right: Senator Goffredo Bettini Moviemov Artistic Dir with Sheika actors from left: Perry Dizon, Fe Gingging Hyde (actor/producer), Arnel Mardoquio (director), and Chevalier Virgie Moreno. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Sam Milby and Denise Laurel. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari said that the fest is not just for viewing but a learning experience where people exchange ideas, “If you’ve never heard of the Spaghetti Western this is the best opportunity to deepen your knowledge on that. For young filmmakers, it may start a new Filipino movie genre like Adobo Horror? In other words we want to show you not only nice Italian movies but also the way we Italians conceive cinema. Not just as a pleasure or entertainment but above all as another way to reflect on our time and our society.”

(Center) Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari (white tux) sitting on a fully restored Vespa PX150 with Vespa Club of the Philippines Members L-R Mark Laccay, 2012 Club President Dax Morfe, Patrick Pulumbarit, Cesar Dizon, 2012 Club P.R.O. Jason Tobillo. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

from left: Andrea Bosca (Magnifica Presenza), PIA Cultural Officer Cristina Moricca and Davide Iacopini (Diaz). The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

The different genres help show a wider picture of Italian cinema. Fornari also explained the process for the Filipino selection, “That is why we’re screening both comedies and dramas. Some show the best of Italian regions. This year we also feature more Filipino filmmakers. The 5 films are a perfect mix or independent and commercial films for everyone to enjoy. Including the winner of the Filipino national film festival just held in Davao.”

There were so many stars Denise Laurel also took pics of her own from her i-phone. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

from right: Cinemalaya Foundation Pres. Nes Jardin, Maricar Reyes and Sam Milby. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

The educational component was also improved on for this year, “After the screening the students have the chance to interact with Italian and Filipino celebrities. I want to underline the master class for university students of Sergio Leone which will be conducted by Piera Detassis, the (former) artistic Director of the International Film Festival in Rome. There you will understand how niche low budget movies have become internationally famous.”

Sea Princess Tessa Prieto Valdes poses with a fully restored Vespa PX150. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Venice Film fest awardee Pepe Diokno (Engkwentro) and Line Producer Bianca Balbuena. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Italy has always been one of the strongest supporters of Filipino cinema. Fornari explains why, “The Filipinos today are facing a great booming of creativity in cinema as the recent awards in Venice film festival and various international fests have shown. We encourage the local film community to further deepen its analysis on the unique complexity and charm of Filipino culture and society. Now is the right time.”

Actor Kuya Manzano and Maxine Mamba of TV5’s ‘Moneydrop’. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

from left: Star Magic Chairman Emeritus Johnny Manahan and Piolo Pascual beside a fully restored Vespa PX150. The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Center: Salvatorre Striano (Cesare Deve Morire)- blue tie with ASIATICA Film Medial participants from left: Madeleine Nicolas, Judith Bueno, Carlo Obispo (1,2,3), Sheenly Gener, Max Celada (Pasahero) , Richard Legaspi (Manenaya) Seymour Barros Sanchez and Noel Taylo (Kwarto) . The Moviemov: Italian Film Fest rolled out the red carpet at the Ayala Museum and GB3 cinema. Photo by Jude Bautista