A new home for local cinema, as well as for special screening of films from around the globe.
Last Thursday, February 26, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), led by its Chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes, together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, jointly inaugurated the new Cinematheque Centre Manila in Intramuros.
Located at he Philippine Film Heritage Building, the new space has been built for the exhibition, education, and preservation of films.
“Sa wakas, may bahay na ang pelikulang Pilipino,” that is what Reyes said before the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon. “We are 107 years old and it’s only now that Filipino cinema has found its home.”
He also emphasized how the center would be a place for the public to interact with film.
“And we also celebrate the opening of Cinematheque Manila, which is more than just a micro-cinema. It would have screenings of very special films of local and foreign (producers), more so it is a hub for education,” told the renowned filmmaker.
Reyes also mentioned that many are still not aware of the many film workshops that occur at Cinematheque and even there being five centers around the country.
For the opening day, the advanced screening of the upcoming Jun Robles Lana movie Sisa, which stars award-winning actress Hilda Koronel, was screened.
The following day, the digitally-restored version of Gerardo De Leon’s Sisa was showcased, complete with a talkback session.
On Saturday, February 28 at 1:00 pm, the screening talkback session for Michele Josue’s Nurse Unseen will happen.
Student-made animated shorts entitled Unravelled; Signal Pending; Paradise; Farther, Closer, Farther; and Sa Humba Nimo will be shown at the centre from 4:30 pm.
Short films Hasang, Champ Green, City’s Laundry and Taxes, Sunog Sa Sugbo, and Figat will take centerstage from 6:15 pm.
Meanwhile, Eddie Romero Remastered: A Century of Filipino Cinema by Baby Ruth Villarama will make its premiere screening on Sunday, March 1 at 1:00 pm.
Free admission applies to all these runs, as per the FDCP.