Ms. Catherine Deneuve at the Red Carpet Opening Ceremony. Photo provided by FDCP.

From FDCP:

The 38^th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) had it’s first-ever “Philippines Day” last March 30, 2014. The whole-day event revolved around the Hong Kong premieres of the films “On the Job,” directed by Erik Matti, a sensation at the 2013 Cannes Director’s Fortnight, and “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel,” directed by Chris D. Martinez, the latest chapter in a smashingly successful comedy franchise, as well as the presentation of the short-film “The Heart of the Storm.” Made by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), “The Heart of the Storm” chronicles the recent tragedy of typhoon Haiyan and the devastation that fell upon Tacloban City last November 2013. Following the screening of the short-film, the HKIFF society presented a donation of HKD 25, 000 to the Philippine Red Cross. A portion of ticket sales will be donated for the relief of the typhoon victims.

At the Red Carpet Opening Ceremony, (L to R): HKIFF Executive Director Roger Garcia, Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Joel Torre, and FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos. Photo provided by FDCP.

Filipinos fill the Grand Theatre at the Philippines Day event of the HKIFF. Photo provided by FDCP.

FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos introduced the short-film to the audience in attendance and broke the news of the upcoming “International Film Commission’s Conference on Climate Change” that the FDCP has organized for June 25 to be held in Manila, Philippines. The hope is that this important conference will induce more awareness among film counterparts and the audiovisual communities and organizations world-wide on the changing patterns of our climate. He concluded, “After all, this is our planet and we are all stakeholders in it. We all need to preserve and protect to insure its well-being. “

FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos and acting Philippine Consul General Ms. Rosanna Villamor-Voogel (1st and 2nd from left, respectively) accept the donation from HKIFF Executive Director Roger Garcia and Ms. Catherine Deneuve (1st and 2nd from right, respectively). Photo provided by FDCP.

Executive Director of the HKIFF Roger Garcia and special guest Ms. Catherine Deneuve presented the donation to Chairman Briccio Santos and Ms. Rosanna Villamor-Voogel, the acting Philippine Consul General. Ms. Catherine Deneuve is a legendary French actress most known for her work in films such as “Le Dernier Métro” and “Indochine.” Ms. Denueve was extended an invitation by Chairman Santos to grace the opening of the “International Film Commission’s Conference on Climate Change.” Also on stage were Filipino stars Piolo Pascual and Joel Torre from “On the Job,” Eugene Domingo from “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel”. Piolo and Eugene came straight from the Asian Film Awards where Eugene was nominated for Best Actress for her work in “Barber’s Tales”.  Mimi Juareza from “Quick Change” was also nominated in the same awards night.

At the Red Carpet Opening Ceremony, (L to R): Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, and Joel Torre. Photo provided by FDCP.

Ms. Catherine Deneuve (center) speaks at the donation ceremony. Photo provided by FDCP.

“The Heart of the Storm” short film is an 8 minutes long documentary aimed at providing viewers with a firsthand account of the recent tragedy. Taken from footage captured by the FDCP team during a trip to the Leyte provinces to witness the aftermath. It shows the daunting task of rebuilding the lives of the victims, which is a storm in itself. The documentary is meant to give the public a glimpse of what lies ahead for a population still rearing from collective shock and many uncertainties.

At the Red Carpet Opening Ceremony, (L to R): Piolo Pascual, HKIFF Executive Director Roger Garcia, Joel Torre, and FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos. Photo provided by FDCP.

Eugene Domingo (3rd from right) and Filipino fans at the Philippines Day event. Photo provided by FDCP.

Executive Director of the HKIFF Roger Garcia conceptualized the “Philippines Day” event hoping to bring focus to Filipino films gaining popularity worldwide. At the same time provide new Filipino films for the numerous Filipinos based in Hong Kong. Filipinos filled up the venue from communities based in Hong Kong. They showed up to the red carpet and premiere screenings to see their home-grown stars, and even stayed post-screening for the special Q&A sessions with the films’ actors.

FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos and Catherine Deneuve at the Red Carpet Ceremony of the Philippines Day. Photo provided by FDCP.

The 38^th Hong Kong International Film Festival takes place from March 24 to April 7 primarily at the Hong Kong Cultural Center and then other nearby venues. The festival’s special section “The Glories of Filipino Cinema” included Jun Robles Lana’s “Barber’s Tales,” Lav Diaz’s “Norte, The End of History,” Elwood Perez’s “Otso,” Eduardo Roy Jr.’s “Quick Change,” and Brillante Mendoza’s “Sapi.”

The Red Carpet at the Philippines Day event of the HKIFF at the Hong Kong Cultural Center. Photo provided by FDCP.

Keira Knightley (Anna) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) could not deny their burning desire. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Click on link for full screen pics: http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/passion-and-judgment-in-anna-karenina/

For My Angel, My Beloved, My Passion, My Delicate Rose,

Written by

Jude Bautista

Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): Are you glad to see me alone? Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley): This must stop. You make me feel as if I was guilty of something. Vronsky: What do you want me to do? Anna: I want you to go to Moscow and beg Kitty to forgive you. Vronsky: No that’s not what you want. Moscow? You can do better than that. Tonight I refused a posting to Tashkent. I can change my mind and you’ll never see me again. Anna: If you have any thought for me you will give me back my peace. Vronsky: I have no peace to give. There is no peace for us, in misery our greatest happiness.

ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

ANNA KARENINA starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law is currently exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Ruth Wilson (Princess Betsy Tverskoy) Center in blue. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

There have been many adaptations of Leo Tolstoy’s novel put to screen, radio, TV, stage and even opera. Vivien Leigh was cast in 1948. Jacqueline Bisset and the late Christopher Reeve were in a TV movie version in 1985. Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean were in the 1997 version. Yes Sean Bean, who is known as Boromir in LORD OF THE RINGS and the reluctant king Eddard Stark in HBO’s GAME OF THRONES.

Keira Knightley is ANNA KARENINA, exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Kelly Macdonald who plays Anna Karenina’s sister in law is also in another HBO hit BOARDWALK EMPIRE. In that role she’s the one who has an adulterous affair while being married to mobster Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi).

Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) sees Keira Knightley (Anna) for the first time on the train. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

The story of love, lust, scandal and societal judgment has fascinated audiences for decades. This version by director Joe Wright may be the most visually stunning among all of them. Recreating the grandeur of 19^th century Russia was perhaps one of the big challenges in making the film. It has been nominated for 4 Oscars: Original Score, Cinematography, Production Design and Costume. The British Academy Film awards (BAFTA) has already given ANNA KARENINA the Best Costume award (Jacqueline Durran) while nominating it in similar categories and Most Outstanding British film as well.

The Russian nobility had servants to help them dress. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Anna’s son Oskar Mcnamara (Serhoza) has a mural of ships in his bedroom. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

The other categories that should’ve been added by award giving bodies were Best Direction and Best Editing. Wright was able to eloquently visualize the sensation of being in love especially in the extravagant ball scene.

The lavish ball where Keira Knightley (Anna) unintentionally upstaged Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky). ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Anna (Keira Knightley) couldn’t take her eyes off Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) but also did not want to be seen staring as she is already married to Karenin (Jude Law). She avoids his gaze turning away for a few seconds, when she looks back he’s gone. Suddenly she hears his voice behind her asking her to dance. The Waltz is hardly romantic with its formal movements, but the minimal physical contact and the person she was dancing with made it so thrilling. The hundreds of other pairs literally froze while Anna and the Count waltzed to the middle of the ballroom. Lights around them darkened and they were the only two people in the universe.

Keira Knightley (Anna) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) are the only two people in the world when they dance the waltz. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

All the world’s a stage, Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) sits in her parlor. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Wright masterfully used a theater stage as a metaphor for his character’s lives. All the world is a stage, in this sense shows that society will eventually know of or judge people in a particular scene.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Count Vronsky) on horseback. Even a horse race is shot in the theater. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Apart from Cinematography, Editing also enhanced the sets and detail that showed the decadence of Russian aristocracy. The camera would dolly into a scene with an elaborate golden wall divider in the background and cut where the background ends.  A servant would close a black door also with ornate golden relief ending a particular scene. Everything is so smooth and well thought out; sometimes you hardly notice the change in location or ‘transition’ until you’re already there.

Keira Knightley (Anna) plays with her niece in an ornate playhouse. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Spellbinding fireworks during (Ruth Wilson) Princess Betsy’s soiree. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

ANNA KARENINA reveals much more than just the joy, pain and tragedies of love. While showing the decadence of the aristocracy it also deals with the disparity between classes and the prejudices that existed. There’s a personal evolution in the characters as the story goes along that people go through in real life.

Jude Law plays Karenin in ANNA KARENINA, exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Could their lust turn to love? ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

The film illustrates how stratified and segregated Russian society was in the 19^th century. It was a violation of decorum to have gypsies or any other race to stay in the same roof as an aristocrat. Kostya Levin’s (Domhnall Gleeson) brother Nikolai (David Wilmot) had kept an Indian woman, Masha (Tannishtha Chatterjee) as a companion who was taking care of him through his grave illness.

Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) out grew her aristocratic upbringing to realize what was truly important in life. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) who has lived a life of privilege chose to serve David Wilmot (Nikolai) in his last days. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

The young, blonde, princess-like Kitty (Alicia Vikander) went into Nikolai’s room to give him a sponge bath and saw the Indian companion. Kostya apologized to Kitty for having her there and insisted that she leave. Instead Kitty gave a towel to Masha and asked her to wash Nikolai together.

Alicia Vikander (Kitty Scherbatsky) nurses David Wilmot (Nikolai) with Tannishtha Chatterjee (Masha). ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Kitty had always been in the bosom of wealth and decadence, that frame of mind. Because of her own loss and pain, it made her grow as a person and learn what was truly important in life. Kostya is himself a landowner who worked with farmers. He had found peace in a simpler life that made him ask, “Is it living simply that I’m looking for?”

Although he is a landowner Domhnall Gleeson (Kostya Levin) was mocked by Russian nobility in Moscow for being too rural. He has found his peace in a simpler life. ANNA KARENINA is exclusively shown in Resort’s World Manila, Megaworld Lifestyle malls such as Eastwood City and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) are both nominated for an Oscar. Photo from official website: http://www.truegritmovie.com/#/main/home

Written by

Jude Bautista

Knowing that she’d follow, Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) had the boatman expect Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) and ordered him to take her to the sheriff. Cogburn had crossed the river with Le Beouf (Matt Damon) by the time she arrived at the river bank. The boatman who ferried Cogburn had already grabbed her horse’s reins and was leading her back to town. In a flash of inspiration she throws an apple at the boatman’s head. The split second he let go of the reins she bolted her horse into a full gallop. She screamed at Cogburn across the river and plunged the horse into the raging waters in pursuit of him. Horse and rider were neck deep in water while fighting the currents.

Courage and a thirst for justice, that’s something the whole world needs and can relate to whether it’s the old west or our time. Unbelievably the one who has displayed the TRUEST grit in this film may not have been any of the tough talking, spitting, cursing and shooting cowboys. Mattie Ross a 14 year old ‘little girl’, proved herself to have steely determination that earned her both love and respect. There’s almost an obsession with her to bring her father’s murderer to justice. She insisted on going with Cogburn in pursuit of Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin).

There’s no air of invincibility or even heroism in Jeff Bridges’ Cogburn. Click on pic for link to official website

The novel “True Grit” by Charles Portis had already been made into a film with no less than Hollywood legend John Wayne. It became a classic and proved that Wayne was a bankable star even at the later stages of his career. The major difference with this version is the vulnerability and realism in the characters. There are no dozens of enemies falling like flies. There’s no air of invincibility or even heroism in Jeff Bridges’ Cogburn. Most of the scenes had him looking like a washed up U.S. Marshall more concerned with whiskey than performing his duties. They’re more like, real people. That’s what makes this version directed and adapted for the screen by the Coen brothers better.

Mattie also stormed Cogburn, “Do you think I’ll pay you and just see you off? I will see the deed done. Everything I’ve heard about you is braggadocio. I’m not payin you for talk!”

Writer / Directors Joel and Ethan Coen have a knack for capturing the spirit of an era. They are known for lyricism in the dialogue, this project is no exception. Le Beouf sat quietly in the room until Mattie woke up. After unsuccessfully trying to convince her to go home he said, “You give out very little sugar with your pronouncements. While I sat there watchin’ I gave some thought to stealin’ a kiss… though you are very young, and sick… and unattractive to boot. But now I have a mind to give you five or six good licks with my belt.” Mattie replies without batting an eyelash, “One would be just as unpleasant as the other.” Mattie also stormed Cogburn, “Do you think I’ll pay you and just see you off? I will see the deed done. Everything I’ve heard about you is braggadocio. I’m not payin you for talk!”

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) and Le Beouf (Matt Damon)

People aren’t absolutely good or bad. What they do to overcome adversity is what distinguishes them. In that sense Mattie Ross, played exceptionally by Hailee Steinfeld is the real hero. She had to overcome the sneers and judgment not just for her gender but age. Mattie did not want Chaney killed she wanted him to go through a trial for her father’s murder. It was not vigilantism. She had a very clear concept of due process at her age.

One of the executive producers is the great Steven Spielberg. The film is nominated for nearly every category (ten) at the Oscar’s: Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume, Directing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Best Picture, Screenplay, Actor and Actress. For a film like this however, the awards are truly secondary, it’s about getting it right. They’ve done better by exceeding that, everyone involved can truly be proud of themselves for making a film for the ages.