ALL-STAR INDIES RULE 'URIAN'

By BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

June 20, 2013

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SOURCE: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/99605/all-star-indies-rule-urian

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Credit goes to the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the oldest critics’ group in the country, for being able to gather its major winners for the awards ceremony held at the NBC Tent in Taguig City on Tuesday night.

All four acting winners turned up at the 36th Gawad Urian—which cannot be said of an earlier awards show that failed to attract big stars.

Top winners—best actress Nora Aunor (“Thy Womb”), actor Jericho Rosales (“Alagwa”), supporting actress Alessandra de Rossi (“Santa Niña”) and supporting actor Art Acuña (“Posas”)—personally received their trophies.

It is Aunor’s seventh Urian. She was the Manunuri’s first best actress in 1976 for Mario O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.”

‘Super happy’

Aunor told the Inquirer: “Super happy po ako. Malaking karangalan na manalo sa ibang bansa, pero mas masarap pa rin na kilalanin ng sarili mong mga kababayan (It’s a great honor to win abroad, but still better to be cited by your countrymen).”

Directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza, “Thy Womb” recently won special mention at the Granada film fest in Spain. Aunor won best actress in Hong Kong and Brisbane for her role.
Mendoza won the best production design Urian trophy for “Thy Womb” on Tuesday.

Acuña, another repeat winner, won best supporting actor last year for “Niño.” Said Acuña: “To win twice … means I’m learning and growing and that the critics validate that.”

Rosales, a first-time Urian honoree like De Rossi, told the Inquirer: “Fifteen years in the making—it’s awesome… truly a milestone in my career. Like other awards, this is important to me because it brings hope to the industry. Our hard work is honored and valued.”

He earlier received an outstanding achievement in acting citation for Ian Loreños’ “Alagwa” at the Newport Beach film fest.

De Rossi said she had already felt like a winner with three nominations. “The award is just a bonus.”

Aunor has kept some of her previous (six) Urian trophies. She said the latest was now displayed in the living room of her condo unit.

Rosales said he would likewise display his Urian trophy in his living room “where my family can see it, then I will move it to my studio.”

Apart from the acting prizes, the creative and technical awards were also won by indies.

“Clearly, edgier and more compelling cinema is generated by indies who have free rein [of their work],” said Manunuri member Roland Tolentino.

Named best film was “Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim,” directed by Davao-based Arnel Mardoquio. “I think this is the first time for a Mindanaoan film to win… I am proud and happy.”

Adolfo B. Alix Jr., best director  for “Mater Dolorosa,” described the prize as a “pleasant” surprise. “To be in the same roster as the directors I admire is an honor in itself,” he said. “Mater” is a tribute to his mother, who nurtured his love for cinema. “She allowed me to watch old films on TV,” Alix said.

Another Alix film, “Kalayaan,” won best editing for Aleks Castañeda.

Other winners      

Other Urian winners this year: Mes de Guzman, best screenplay for “Diablo”; Whammy Alcazaren and Sasha Palomares, best cinematography, “Colossal”; Willy Fernandez and Lav Diaz, best sound, “Florentina Hubaldo CTE”; and Diwa de Leon, best music, “Baybayin.”

The Natatanging Gawad Urian was given to veteran actress Mila del Sol, who started in the movies in 1939.

Best documentary went to Benito Bautista’s “Harana” while Remton Siega Zuasola’s “Ritmo” was declared best short.

Said Bautista: “[Winning an Urian] is humbling and doubly inspiring.”

The 36th Gawad Urian will be aired on Cinema One tomorrow, 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., and on Sunday, 10 p.m.

CHEER FACTOR: WHY NORA IS GOING BACK TO TAWI-TAWI

NORA AUNOR’s portrait at SM Lanang cinema lobby

By: BAYANI SAN DIEGO, JR.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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http://entertainment.inquirer.net/69113/cheer-factor-why-nora-is-going-back-to-tawi-tawi

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DAVAO—In the van, on her way back to the hotel after gracing the Philippine premiere of Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” on Friday night, actress Nora Aunor couldn’t contain her joy—and surprise. 

“Who knew I would win in Australia, while I was in Mindanao?” she asked. Aunor was named best actress and Mendoza, best director, at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held in Brisbane that night. 

Apsa organizers had sent over their trophies so they could receive the honors at the premiere screening held in SM Lanang during the second Sineng Pambansa, mounted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). 

Bittersweet memory

 

Aunor recalled that the last time she was in this southern Philippine city decades ago, she had a jampacked concert. She recalled, sadly: “There was a stampede and a child died.” 

Mindanao was unforgettable for her, she said, and not just because of the tragedy. Last summer, when “Thy Womb” was shot in Tawi-Tawi, she grew even more fond of the region. 

“I hope to go back to Sitangkai (a Tawi-Tawi town) soon,” she said. “I promised to build a health center there.” She said she had discussed with Manny V. Pangilinan, head of her home network TV5, the possibility of aiding the province. 

“We could hold a fund-raising show for Tawi-Tawi,” she said. “I have personally set aside a small amount, P100,000, for medicines. But the people there badly need doctors and nurses, so that when a villager gets sick or gives birth, life is not necessarily put at risk. As it is, they have to take a long boat ride to the nearest hospital or clinic.” 

The Apsa trophy is Aunor’s second for “Thy Womb.” She won the Bisato D’Oro given by an independent group of critics when the film competed at the Venice fest last September. 

Mendoza, who got the La Navicella and P. Nazareno Special Mention honors at the same top-tier festival, admitted that he was initially apprehensive about filming in the south. 

The Cannes winner related: “We had heard only negative things about Tawi-Tawi, but during the 14-day shoot, we hardly even noticed the security group assigned to us. We felt at home.” 

Mendoza said he had felt strongly about making a film that would highlight the peace-loving nature of the people of Tawi-Tawi, “to empower them, to give them importance.” 

Briccio Santos, FDCP chairman, agreed that “Thy Womb” had a positive impact on the island-province. 

“The economic landscape changed for the better,” Santos noted. “Hotels are now often fully booked, and there are now four flights weekly to Tawi-Tawi (from Zamboanga), where there used to be only one. According to Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Hadja Ruby Sahali, there will soon be an international flight from Malaysia. All of this after just one movie.” 

This was proof, Santos said, that cinema and the arts could play a significant role in the peace process.

Aunor, Mendoza win top prizes in Asia Pacific awards

By Bayani San Diego Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Source:  http://entertainment.inquirer.net/68689/nora-aunor-is-best-actress-in-asia-pacific-screen-awards

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MANILA, Philippines—Filipino actress Nora Aunor won the best actress prize while Brillante Mendoza bagged the best director award for “Thy Womb” in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in Brisbane, Australia, Friday night. 

Mendoza and Aunor were clearly ecstatic about their movie’s latest triumph. 

“After winning abroad, we hope our countrymen would become more curious to watch our films so that indie films will be recognized not only by foreigners, but by Filipinos well,” said Mendoza. 

Founded in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards seeks to “recognize and promote cinematic excellence and cultural diversity in the vast Asia-Pacific region … and is considered as the region’s highest accolade in film.” 

All APSA winners and nominees are inducted into the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. They are some of the most respected names in film from the region. 

Four years ago, Ishmael Berna’s “Himala,” which also starred Aunor, won the CNN APSA Viewers’ Choice award for best Asia-Pacific film of all time. 

Aunor and Mendoza were informed of the good news while at the Philippine premiere of “Thy Womb,” held during the second Sineng Pambansa at the SM Lanang in Davao City. 

They chose to hold the local premiere of “They Womb” in Davao because the film was set in Tawi-Tawi.

Both Aunor and Mendoza fell in love with the island-province and have dedicated the film’s many triumphs to its “gentle, peace-loving” people. 

Co-star Mercedes Cabral also graced the Davao screening, 

APSA celebrates “the finest, bravest and most audacious cinema in the region,” according to its web site.

Chris Martinez, who attended the event in Brisbane, told the Inquirer that Marlon Rivera, the director of “Septic Tank,” was awarded the APSA Netpac award which comes with a film development cash prize of $5,000. 

In September, “Thy Womb” won three awards at the 69th Venice International Film Festival: Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention.

Nora Aunor is Best Actress in Asia Pacific Screen Awards

By: BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR. 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Source:  http://entertainment.inquirer.net/68689/nora-aunor-is-best-actress-in-asia-pacific-screen-awards?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

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MANILA, Philippines–Filipino actress Nora Aunor won the best actress prize in the 6^th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in Brisbane, Australia, Friday night. 

Aunor won the prize for her role in the indie movie “Thy Womb’’ directed by Brillante Mendoza.
Aunor was clearly ecstatic about her prize and the movie’s latest triumph. 

She learned of the good news at the Philippine premiere of “Thy Womb’’ at the second Sineng Pambansa at the SM Lanang in Davao City.

3 AWARDS FOR 'THY WOMB' IN VENICE FILM FEST

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

September 10, 2012

Source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/57768/brillante-mendozas-thy-womb-wins-3-awards-in-venice

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Everywhere she went in Lido, Filipino actress Nora Aunor was greeted by admirers—clapping, cheering and congratulating her for “Thy Womb” (Sinapupunan), which won three honors at the 69th Venice International Film Festival over the weekend.

Aunor, considered a superstar in the Philippines, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in Filipino: “The Italians kept saying: ‘Bellissima! Bravissima!’”

Her latest starrer, Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” won three awards in Venice: Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention.

Aunor attended the Venice fest with Mendoza and costars Lovi Poe and Mercedes Cabral.

Producer Larry Castillo said the critics adored Aunor who won the Bisato D’Oro prize for her performance. Castillo told the Inquirer that Aunor’s award was given by Premio della Critica Indipendiente, an independent critics’ group.

Previous recipients of the award were directors and producers. Aunor is the first actress and Filipino to win the prize.

Aunor recalled that the Bisato D’Oro ceremony was held on Friday at Bar Maleti, a restaurant near her hotel.

The Philippine contingent stayed at the Hotel Excelsior Venezia in Lido, Venice.

“I am happy that our film was invited to Venice. It’s a great honor just to be included in this year’s lineup. To win an award is a wonderful bonus,” Aunor said of her award.

She said the critics were touched by the film. “They told me that they cried, especially toward the ending. They said they were moved by the emotions I showed in the movie.”

La Navicella award

On Saturday morning, Mendoza received La Navicella/Venezia Cinema prize—one of the collateral awards handed out before the fest’s major honors.

According to the Venice website, the award is given by critics and the Rivisita del Cinematografo, an Italian publication. “La Navicella is awarded to the director of a film considered particularly relevant for the affirmation of human values,” an online report said.

A previous winner of the La Navicella award was Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker,” which went on to win an Oscar in 2010. Other past winners of the prize included such heavyweights in world cinema as Louis Malle, Zhang Yimou, Stephen Frears and Abel Ferrara.

The Navicella jury commended the Filipino film “for giving voice to the Badjao community in a respectful and emotionally involved manner.”

In the film, Aunor portrays a barren Badjao midwife searching for a suitable woman (Poe) who can bear a child for her husband (Bembol Roco).

Taddei award

In the citation, the Navicella jury praised the film: “Although … ethnographic, the film goes beyond naturalism and turns into poetry. Mendoza brings to the screen an act of total love which stands out today as true scandal against frivolous provocation.”

During the closing ceremony on Saturday night, Mendoza won the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention.

The P. Nazareno Taddei Award went to Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk’s “Pieta,” which won the Golden Lion as well.

Established in 2007, the P. Nazareno Taddei Award was named after a Jesuit priest. It is given to films that “express authentic human values.”

The Hollywood Reporter critic Neil Young considered Aunor one of the front-runners for the best actress award, which went to Israel’s Hadas Yaron of “Fill the Void.”

Although it failed to bring home major awards, “Thy Womb” received a rousing ovation after its premiere on Thursday and was showered with glowing notices by critics.

Mendoza, who won best director in Cannes for the graphic crime drama “Kinatay” in 2009, said his goal in making “Thy Womb” was to tell a story of “unconditional love set in a beautiful but troubled place.”

Variety review

Mainstream publication Variety gave the film a positive review, praising the cinematography (by Odyssey Flores), acting (by Aunor) and production design (by Mendoza).

Variety’s Guy Lodge said “Aunor’s softly crinkled face beautifully registers the internal pain of her every decision in this curious process.” Lodge said the cinematography “negotiates picture-postcard skies and grubby boltholes with equal fluidity” and the production design “forges the unusual story with just the right balance of the exotic and the authentic.”

Variety described the film as “part marital tearjerker, part cultural comedy of manners … open-hearted … sentimental.”

Variety pointed out that “Thy Womb” had more in common with Mendoza’s Venice entry in 2009, “Lola,” than the “propulsive” “Captive,” which was the “hard-working Filipino provocateur’s” entry at the Berlin fest earlier this year.

CineVue’s Jo-Ann Titmarsh called the film “one of the most poignant and intimate films at this year’s Venice fest … a moving and visually captivating movie with two commanding yet understated central performances.”

“Thy Womb” also has screenings in the Toronto International Film Festival this month (on September 7, 9 and 16).

On the fest’s website, Toronto programmer Steve Gravestock raved about Aunor’s “moving portrayal of a woman determined to provide her husband with a child.” He also pointed out that Roco was “equally good as her stoic husband.”

Gravestock noted that Mendoza’s direction possessed an “unfailingly keen eye for detail and attention to the rhythms of rural life.”

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Contributor:  Alvin Umahon

RESTORING 'HIMALA'

By:  Bayani San Diego Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

August 5, 2012

Source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/52959/restoring-himala

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Two decades ago, it would have cost P15 million to restore an old movie; but with digital technology, the cost of saving our cinematic gems has become less prohibitive.

Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN Film Archives, had always wanted to upgrade the network’s library, home to such classics as Peque Gallaga’s “Oro, Plata, Mata” and Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala.” He recalled, “It always boiled down to a question of costs.”

Then he met with Manet Dayrit, head of Central Digital Lab, who had taken up as a pet project the digital restoration of “Himala.”

Solution

“For years, we had been doing tests, figuring out ways to make the process less expensive, less time-consuming and less labor-intensive,” Dayrit related.

Last year, the team found the solution.

ABS-CBN and Central Digital Lab plan to digitize and restore some 3,000 titles in the network’s film vaults—beginning with “Himala,” starring Nora Aunor, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, said Katigbak.

To mark the occasion, the film’s restored and High-Definition version will have its world premiere at the Venice film fest this month. “We have big plans,” Katigbak said. “Since it’s now on HD and DCP (Digital Cinema Package) format, we can release ‘Himala’ theatrically, too.” Eventually, it can be shown on pay TV and cable, and released on DVD as part of something like a “Criterion Collection for local films,” Katigbak added.

Technicians worked on “Himala” for 700 hours.

Frame by frame

The process started by scanning the 35mm prints frame by frame, Dayrit explained. “We scanned from two or three different prints, using the machine Cintel Millennium 2. Some prints had missing scenes. Some were damaged. We had to look for the best reels.”

Two senior restoration artists (Ana Bilbao and Tiqui del Rosario) and a color correction expert (Richard Francia) then commenced work. First, Katigbak said, “they removed fingerprint marks and scratches.”

Restoration experts also need to watch out for molds. Dayrit added, “Luckily, since ‘Himala’ was properly stored in the ABS-CBN Archives, we didn’t have a major mold problem.”

The colorists used the machine DaVinci Resolve, she said. “Colors fade over time. But we took extra care not to tamper with the filmmaker’s original intention.”

The result: In the film’s climax, the red robes of the Virgin Mary statue look more deeply colored; the devotees’ white dresses, newly bleached; the Ilocos sky, bluer; and La Aunor’s brown skin, duskier.

With Protools, audio engineers (Arnold Reodica and Ronald de Asis) worked on the sound— making sure to eradicate pops and whistles. “We also needed to sync some lines of dialogue,” Dayrit said.