The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival

Chicago Filipino American Film Festival 2012 Schedule

At the PORTAGE THEATER 4050 N MILWAUKEE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 

FRIDAY

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
Friday, November 2, 7:00 PM FREE

BOUNDARY
Friday, November 2, 8:00 PM $10

Benito Bautista, whose feature-length documentary GIFT OF BARONG  first appeared at the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival in 2006, returns with a powerful new narrative feature. Veteran Filipino actor Ronnie Lazaro, whose work has been featured in MANILA SKIES (CFAFF 2009) and John Sayles’s AMIGO, stars as a cab driver who takes on a mysterious passenger and embarks on a dark journey of deception and betrayal.

SATURDAY

FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS
Saturday, November 3, 1:30 PM $10

Directed by Donald Plata and narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips. FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS looks back at the Philippine Scouts of World War II, a regiment of U.S. and Filipino soldiers based in the Philippines during the start of the war in the Pacific. With extensive archival footage, re-enactments, and interviews with the few remaining survivors, FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS recounts the conflict at Bataan and the captivity that followed. Presented with the short documentary, “Barracuda Lake,” describing one of the many unique underwater landscapes of the Philippines.

DEATH OF A CEMETERY
Saturday, November 3, 4:00 PM $10

A fascinating and vivid documentary by Jeanie Duque Di-zon at the North Manila Cemetery, and the caretakers, merchants, and artisans who work and live there each day. Narrated by acclaimed novelist Miguel Syjuco. Presented with the short documentary “The Sugar Bowl,” directed by Shashia Nakhai.

SUNSET STORIES
Saturday, November 3, 7:00 PM $10

Directed by Silas Howard and Ernesto Foronda. Assigned to retrieve a precious medical shipment, a nurse finds herself on a modern-day adventure with the boyfriend she left behind. Starring Monique Gabriela Curnen (THE DARK KNIGHT, CONTAGION) and Sung Kang (BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, FAST AND THE FURIOUS), and a long list of surprising celebrity cameos. SUNSET STORIES marks the feature directing debut of Foronda, who co-wrote Justin Lin’s groundbreaking film BETTER LUCK TOMORROW.

GRACELAND
Saturday, November 3, 9:00 PM $10

Ron Morales, who made his directorial debut with SANTA MESA (CFAFF 2008), returns with GRACELAND, a bold new thriller that tells the story of Marlon Villar (Arnold Reyes), the chauffeur of a wealthy politician who struggles to care for his ailing wife and pre-teen daughter. Marlon looks the other way in the face of his employer’s corruption, but is forced to take matters into his own hands when a botched kidnapping attempt on the politician’s daughter goes horribly wrong, and Marlon’s own daughter is taken instead. Morales based this look at the gritty underworld of kidnapping and sex-trafficking in the Philippines on extensive research, and the result is a harrowing example of the moral compromises a man must make to survive. GRACELAND premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.

SUNDAY

RISE AND DREAM

Sunday, November 4, 1:00 PM $10

Directed by Judy-Anne Goldman. This inspirational documentary follows the story of thirteen students in a volatile region of the southern Philippines who endeavor to learn the indigenous music of the Philippines in an effort to put on an unprecedented concert for their community. The students and their families, along with a number of notable Filipino folk musicians rally to see the concert through, and the result is uplifting and magical. Presented with the short documentary “Manila Road” by Fernando Dalayoan.

CFAFF Shorts Program

Sunday, November 4, 3:30 PM $10

 ”Terra Cotta”:  Directed by Yasmine Gomez and written by Samantha Chanse. A young woman moves into a new apartment; but can she live up to her roommates’ high standards?

“Cain”: A stylishly filmed tale of revenge directed by Filipino American director Enzo Williams.

“Beauty & Deceased”: From Chicago-based Fil-Am director Andrew Hempfling, comes the story of a lonely zombie who enlists the aid of a dating expert. 

“The Launch”: Fil-Am performer Arlo Sarinas portrays a man who must journey across parallel universes in order to save the woman he loves.

“Mother and Child”: Jocelyn Lenhardt directs a film about a young mother’s anxiety when her estranged husband announces that he’ll be visiting from overseas.

“Jolly B. Fierce”: A drag performer returns home to visit his ailing mother, and must come to terms with the disapproval of his older brother. Directed by Jocelyn Lenhardt.

“Drifters”: Adrian Alarilla directs a drama about a young woman who struggles to balance her mother’s needs against her own desire to have a life of her own.

“Ang Balut Ni Mang Roger (Mang Roger’s Balut)”: A balut vendor locks horns with a willful young student. Directed by Thop Nazareno.

Closing Night Presentation:

THE BLADED HAND

Sunday, November 4, 6:00 PM $10

Jay Ignacio directs an eye-opening exploration of one of the greatest cultural traditions of the Philippines: the Filipino martial arts systems known as Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis. An unprecedented look at the martial arts of the Philippines, THE BLADED HAND includes a wealth of archival photography and footage, along with interviews with the most authoritative figures in martial arts, including Dan Inosanto (THE GAME OF DEATH, RED BELT); Mumbakki Foronda, an instructor whose students include Russia’s elite Spetsnaz special forces, and Jeff Imada, one of Hollywood’s most respected stunt coordinators. Filmmaker Jay Ignacio will be in attendance at this screening.

Chicago Filipino American Film Festival 2012 Schedule

FRIDAY

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
Friday, November 2, 7:00 PM FREE

BOUNDARY
Friday, November 2, 8:00 PM $10

Benito Bautista, whose feature-length documentary GIFT OF BARONG first appeared at the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival in 2006, returns with a powerful new narrative feature. Veteran Filipino actor Ronnie Lazaro, whose work has been featured in MANILA SKIES (CFAFF 2009) and John Sayles’s AMIGO, stars as a cab driver who takes on a mysterious passenger and embarks on a dark journey of deception and betrayal.

SATURDAY

FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS
Saturday, November 3, 1:30 PM $10

Directed by Donald Plata and narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips. FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS looks back at the Philippine Scouts of World War II, a regiment of U.S. and Filipino soldiers based in the Philippines during the start of the war in the Pacific. With extensive archival footage, re-enactments, and interviews with the few remaining survivors, FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS recounts the conflict at Bataan and the captivity that followed.

DEATH OF A CEMETERY
Saturday, November 3, 4:00 PM $10

A fascinating and vivid documentary by Jeanie Duque Di-zon at the North Manila Cemetery, and the caretakers, merchants, and artisans who work and live there each day. Narrated by acclaimed novelist Miguel Syjuco.

SUNSET STORIES
Saturday, November 3, 7:00 PM $10

Directed by Silas Howard and Ernesto Foronda. Assigned to retrieve a precious medical shipment, a nurse finds herself on a modern-day adventure with the boyfriend she left behind. Starring Monique Gabriela Curnen (THE DARK KNIGHT, CONTAGION) and Sung Kang (BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, FAST AND THE FURIOUS), and a long list of surprising celebrity cameos. SUNSET STORIES marks the feature directing debut of Foronda, who co-wrote Justin Lin’s groundbreaking film BETTER LUCK TOMORROW.

GRACELAND
Saturday, November 3, 9:00 PM $10

Ron Morales, who made his directorial debut with SANTA MESA (CFAFF 2008), returns with GRACELAND, a bold new thriller that tells the story of Marlon Villar (Arnold Reyes), the chauffeur of a wealthy politician who struggles to care for his ailing wife and pre-teen daughter. Marlon looks the other way in the face of his employer’s corruption, but is forced to take matters into his own hands when a botched kidnapping attempt on the politician’s daughter goes horribly wrong, and Marlon’s own daughter is taken instead. Morales based this look at the gritty underworld of kidnapping and sex-trafficking in the Philippines on extensive research, and the result is a harrowing example of the moral compromises a man must make to survive. GRACELAND premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.

SUNDAY

Rise and Dream

Sunday, November 4, 1:00 PM $10

Directed by Judy-Anne Goldman. This inspirational documentary follows the story of thirteen students in a volatile region of the southern Philippines who endeavor to learn the indigenous music of the Philippines in an effort to put on an unprecedented concert for their community. The students and their families, along with a number of notable Filipino folk musicians rally to see the concert through, and the result is uplifting and magical.

CFAFF Shorts Program

Sunday, November 4, 4:00 PM $10

Selections to be announced shortly.

UPDATE: Deadline Extension Sept. 15, 2012. Due to the serious flooding overseas, we will be extending the deadline for the 2012 film festival for filmmakers from all regions.

If any interested filmmakers are having difficulty submitting due to weather conditions or will not able to submit in time, please contact Jonathan Laxamana at [email protected]. We will be able to review late submissions on a case-by-case basis until official review begins.

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is currently accepting submissions for 2012. The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival welcomes feature-length and short narrative and documentary films.

Qualifying films will include, but not be limited to:

• Works featuring the talents of directors, performers, writers, and other filmmakers of Filipino descent from the United States, the Philippines, and throughout the world.
• Stories, characters, and themes about Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and others of Filipino descent.
• Issues and topics relevant to audiences of Filipino descent.

For 2012 we are pleased to announce our 2012 Short Film Award sponsored by Comcast. See the Entry Form for details.

Deadline: September 1, 2012.

Fees payable by PayPal.

Fee: $25.00

Discounted Fee: $15.00 Students/Online Submissions. See Entry form for details.

Entry Fees

Student $15.00 Electronic Submission $15.00 Disc / Physical Submission $25.00

Please ship entries with completed form to:

Chicago Filipino American Film Festival
c/o Filipino American Network
516 N. Ogden #151
Chicago, IL 60642
(630) 247-9644

Please contact Jonathan Laxamana at [email protected] for questions.

Upcoming Fil-Am Film and Media

CFAFF 2012 may be six months away, but there’s plenty of Filipino and Fil-Am programming available on television, the web, and in screens around Chicago.

Chicago’s Pritzker Military Library to feature Forgotten Soldiers

From the Official Site: Early in World War II the President of the United States ordered General Douglas MacArthur to leave 80,000 American and Filipino soldiers behind on Bataan where they faced one of the worst atrocities in modern military history – the Bataan Death March. One month later Corregidor, the last Allied bastion in the Pacific, fell to the Japanese.

On Saturday, May 26, Chicago’s Pritzker Military Library will showcase Forgotten Soldiers, a new documentary movie about the U.S. Army’s Philippine Scouts and the terrible ordeal they and their comrades suffered through on Bataan, Corregidor and in the Japanese prison camps.

In this stirring documentary movie narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips, ten Philippine Scout survivors describe their gallant stand, the bitter surrender, and their ultimate triumph over the enemy; over photographs, reenactments and actual footage of the events.

The 12,000 American and Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Scouts were the backbone of General MacArthur’s doomed forces, but few Americans today are even aware of this unique segment of the United States Army.

They are America’s FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS.

Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 1:00 in the afternoon.

Pritzker Military Library, 104 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

The Pritzker Military Library is a non-partisan research library whose mission is to increase the public understanding of military history and the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served. Since 2003, the Library has hosted over 300 events featuring the country’s most acclaimed authors, historians, journalists and scholars.

For reservations, telephone the Pritzker Military Library, (312) 374-9333, www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.

www.ww2scouts.com

Produced and Directed by Donald A. Plata

Narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips

On the Web: LOS  FELIZ

Fil-Am filmmaker Bernard Badion, whose indie hit LEAVE IT TO CHANCE was featured at CFAFF 2005, has a new web comedy series called LOS FELIZ. Check out Season 1 of this ongoing series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2cf9vZY-I

http://losfeliztheshow.com/

On TV: LEFT BY THE SHIP

An official selection at CFAFF 2012, LEFT BY THE SHIP, will air on PBS starting next week. Please spread the word and tune into this powerful documentary.

From PBS.org:

Three young adults born to Filipino mothers by U.S. servicemen battle against racial discrimination and questions about their own identities 20 years after Subic Bay Naval Base closed and their fathers left them behind. LEFT BY THE SHIP premieres as part of the acclaimed PBS program, INDEPENDENT LENS on May 24. Check local listings at Independent Lens.

HBO ON DEMAND Features CFAFF 2011 Short Film Finalist: The Fisherman

A finalist in last year’s CFAFF/COMCAST Short Film Award, Tim Saguinsin’s animated short film is featured this month on HBO On Demand and HBO GO on the web, mobile apps, and even the XBox 360.

For more info, check out:

http://thefisherman.ricecookerstudios.com/

http://www.ricecookerstudios.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheFishermanAnimatedShort

Free Filipino Film Screening: MOMENTS OF LOVE on Wednesday June 6 and Saturday June 9

Cinema/Chicago will be showing a Filipino film: MOMENTS OF LOVE, directed by Mark Reyes on Wednesday June 6 at 6:30pm and Saturday June 9 at 2:00pm at the Chicago Cultural Center. This screening is co-presented with the Philppine Consulate General in Chicago. Admission is free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to theater capacity. Theater doors open at 5:45pm.

Film Synopsis: Photographer Marco is on vacation in the sleepy old town of Sitio Verde when a near accident brings three women into his life: Rosa Santos, who saves his life; Lianne, who stirs up deep feelings of love and loneliness; and Divina, a woman from the past who, it seems, has come to rescue him. In this old-fashioned romance, time bends to bring two solitary souls moments of love. 104 minutes. Tagalog with English subtitles. The screening of MOMENTS OF LOVE is part of Cinema/Chicago’s International Screenings Program. The full schedule can be found here.

Fil-Am Kickstarter Campaigns

Gerry Balasta, director of MOUNTAIN THIEF (CFAFF 2010) is gathering support for a new project, Solar Champion, on Kickstarter. Visit his campaign page here.

Do you or any filmmakers you know have campaigns on Kickstarter or Indiegogo? Let us know and we’ll help spread the word.

Call for Submissions/Call for Volunteers

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is hard at work on our next fest in November. Stay tuned for our call for submissions in June. If you are interested in volunteering for the film festival, please contact Jonathan Laxamana at [email protected].

The Eighth Annual Chicago Filipino American Film Festival will open on November 4 with the Chicago Premiere of Dance of My Life. This very special event will be preceded by a free public reception, attended by Bessie Badilla, the star of the inspirational documentary film.

“My mother constantly told me, ‘In life, we always have a choice, so I chose to live my life always happily, especially when faced with adversity,” says Badilla, a woman who overcame poverty to become a world-class fashion model, and tackled numerous personal challenges to earn the prestigious title of Queen of Carnival— a milestone for a non-Brazilian.

As a documentary that crosses continents, the project was not without its own challenges. But, Lyca Benitez-Brown, director of Dance of My Life, is no stranger to international co-productions. She produced the first Asian co-production of “Sesame Street” with the Children’s Television Workshop (which would later become “Batibot”), and worked with the International Telecommunications Union to help set up the first private commercial TV/radio station in Tanzania.

Benitez-Brown was determined to provide the story the treatment it deserved: “When Bessie was invited to carnival she was recently widowed and faced an uncertain future having been recently diagnosed with cancer,” says Benitez-Brown. “I thought at first that her participation in Carnival would be a welcome distraction for her, but as we conducted more interviews it seemed to me that Bessie had spent her whole life preparing for this role as Carnival Queen.”

It is these qualities that inspired the film: “She has a very strong work ethic and becomes totally obsessed with whatever she is doing. Although she has faced challenges in her life, she does not think of herself as a victim. I felt these were strong messages that could be conveyed in our documentary.”

Indeed, Bessie Badilla’s talents go beyond the world of glamor and dance. Badilla also produced the acclaimed independent feature film Bakal Boys also set to make its Chicago Premiere at CFAFF. The recipient of numerous international awards, Bakal Boys sheds light on issues of children living in poverty and child labor.

“Director Ralston Jover watched an episode on ‘Eye Witness’ news about the alarming rate of children metal divers drowning in the murky waters of the Manila Bay,” says Badilla, who co-produced the film.

“Almost one child a day either drowns or is lost at sea,” Badilla says. “Ralston was compelled to tell their story for social awareness that this is happening in spite of the strict regulations in the Baseco area that children are prohibited to dive for scrap metal.”

It was these alarming conditions that motivated Badilla to get involved: “When I turned 50, I decided to give back by producing an Indie Film. Bakal Boys was the very first script I read and I immediately fell in love with the story. After its successful run in both local and international film festivals, Ralston and I decided to continue helping the 15 Bakal boys by keeping them out of the water and in school.”

Dance of My Life will screen at CFAFF on Friday, November 4 at 8 pm, preceded by a free opening night reception at 7 pm at the Portage Theater in Chicago. A repeat screening will be shown on Saturday, November 5 at 2 pm. Both screenings will be followed by a Q&A session with Lyca Benitez-Brown and Bessie Badilla.

Bakal Boys will screen at CFAFF on Saturday, November 5 at 4:30 pm, followed by a Q&A session with Bessie Badilla.

To learn more about other programs at the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival, and get information about tickets, showtimes, and special events, please visit https://www.cfaff.org

Chicago Filipino American Film Festival 2011 Schedule

FRIDAY

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION sponsored by ALLSTATE
Friday, November 4, 7:00 PM FREE
  Celebrate the Eighth Annual Chicago Filipino American Film Festival with refreshments and meet special guests Bessie Badilla and Lyca Benitez-Brown (DANCE OF MY LIFE) and other filmmakers whose works will be featured at CFAFF 2011. Presented by Allstate.

OPENING NIGHT FILM: DANCE OF MY LIFE
Friday, November 4, 8:00 PM $10
Directed by Lyca Benitez-Brown, featuring Bessie Badilla. DANCE OF MY LIFE chronicles Bessie’s rise from poverty, her success as an internationally renowned Filipina supermodel, and the personal battles that led Bessie, now a mother of two living in Connecticut, to her triumph as the Queen of Brazilian Carnivale. DANCE OF MY LIFE star BESSIE BADILLA and filmmaker Lyca Benitez-Brown will be in attendance at the Chicago Premiere, followed by a Q&A session with Bessie Badilla and Lyca Benitez-Brown.

SATURDAY

THE LEARNING
Saturday, November 5, 12:00 PM $10
Ramona Diaz, director of the acclaimed documentary, IMELDA, returns with an engaging and thought provoking documentary that follows four Filipino schoolteachers who are recruited to teach in the Baltimore school system. Diaz captures the classroom experience as well as the personal lives of her subjects, the sacrifices they make, the loved ones left back home, and their daily endeavor to make a difference in the lives of their students.

DANCE OF MY LIFE (repeat)
Saturday, November 5, 2:00 PM $10
Q&A session will follow.

BAKAL BOYS
Saturday, November 5, 4:30 PM $10
Directed by Ralston Jover, BAKAL BOYS (Children Metal Divers) is the story of a group of boys who dive for scrap metal in Manila Bay in order to provide for their families, and what results when one boy does not return. Co-produced by Bessie Badilla, who will be in attendance for a Q&A session.

RAKENROL
Saturday, November 5, 7:00 PM $10
LA-based indie filmmaker Quark Henares brings the story of two friends Odie and Irene and their attempt to turn their love of music into a bid for rock and roll stardom. RAKENROL is both a satire and a tribute to the Pinoy indie rock scene. Director Quark Henares will be in attendance.

A WEEK IN METRO MANILA: UP DHARMA DOWN
Saturday, November 5, 9:00 PM $10
A Chicago-based filmmaker travels to the Philippines to document the Filipino indie musical group Up Dharma Down, offering an inside look at this up and coming band, and a rare glimpse of Metro Manila and the Pinoy music scene. World Premiere. Filmmaker Tony Rago in attendance.

SUNDAY
CFAFF DOC PRESENTATION
Sunday, November 6, 12:00 PM $10
Three films featuring diverse topics examining the Filipino and Filipino American experience:  THE HIDDEN DREAM— Directed by Sheila Duenas Imme and Jon Imme, THE HIDDEN DREAM is a historical documentary recounting the Filipino and Filipino American experience, touching upon key events including the Bataan Death March and the Rescission Act of 1946. PROVINCIAL POLITICS— This brief documentary provides and outsider’s attempt to decipher the inner workings of local politics in the Philippines. Directed by George Clipp.  AGOS (WAVES) —An engaging portrait of a veteran surfer, her day to day life and her efforts to pass on her traditions to a young protege. Directed by Samantha Lee.

LEFT BY THE SHIP
Sunday, November 6, 2:00 PM $10
A documentary by Emma Rossi-Landi and Alberto Vendemmiati, the film chronicles the story of a Filipino journalist who comes to terms with his own roots by reaching out to Filipino Amerasian children of American military personnel, and giving voice to their struggles with identity and alienation.

CFAFF SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Sunday, November 6, 4:00 PM $10
Join us to watch the finalists of the CFAFF SHORT FILM PROGRAM. Be there as we announce the winner of the COMCAST SHORT FILM AWARD.

2011 Finalists:
 EDEN, Director: Ziggy Chicano

CLANDESTINED, Director: Claro

YOUNG LIGAW, Director: Fernando Dalayoan

BLEACHED, Director: Jessica dela Merced

TIME AFTER TIME, Director: Ramon Gil

ASIAN AMERICAN JESUS, Director: Yasmine Gomez

PAMILYA, Director: Jerry Monckton

BROKEN WINGS, Director: Rio Puerollano

TRUTH, Director: John Raposas

YO SO UN HOMBRE LOCO, Director: Vladislav Rimburg

ANG MANGINGISDA, Director: Tim Saguinsin

BE MY BABY, Director: Kevin Wong

The Chicago Filipino American Film Festival is proud to announce it 2011 feature film lineup.

DANCE OF MY LIFE—Directed by Lyca Benitez-Brown, featuring Bessie Badilla. DANCE OF MY LIFE chronicles Bessie’s rise from poverty, her success as an internationally renowned Filipina supermodel, and the personal battles that led Bessie, now a mother of two living in Connecticut, to her triumph as the Queen of Brazilian Carnivale. DANCE OF MY LIFE star BESSIE BADILLA and filmmaker Lyca Benitez-Brown will be in attendance at the Chicago Premiere on Friday November 4, preceded by a free Opening Night reception at 7:00 PM.

THE LEARNING—Ramona Diaz, director of the acclaimed documentary, IMELDA, returns with an engaging and thought provoking documentary that follows four Filipino schoolteachers who are recruited to teach in the Baltimore school system. Diaz captures the classroom experience as well as the personal lives of her subjects, the sacrifices they make, the loved ones left back home, and their daily endeavor to make a difference in the lives of their students.

BAKAL BOYS—Directed by Ralston Jover, BAKAL BOYS (Children Metal Divers) is the story of a group of boys who dive for scrap metal in Manila Bay in order to provide for their families, and what results when one boy does not return. Co-produced by Bessie Badilla, who will be present for the Chicago Premiere on Saturday, November 5.

RAKENROL—LA-based indie filmmaker Quark Henares brings the story of two friends Odie and Irene and their attempt to turn their love of music into a bid for rock and roll stardom. RAKENROL is both a satire and a tribute to the Pinoy indie rock scene. 

LEFT BY THE SHIP—A documentary by Emma Rossi-Landi and Alberto Vendemmiati, the film chronicles the story of a Filipino journalist who comes to terms with his own roots by reaching out to Filipino Amerasian children of American military personnel, and giving voice to their struggles with identity and alienation. 

A WEEK IN METRO MANILA: UP DHARMA DOWN—A Chicago-based filmmaker travels to the Philippines to document the Filipino indie musical group Up Dharma Down, offering an inside look at this up and coming band, and a rare glimpse of Metro Manila and the Pinoy music scene.

THE HIDDEN DREAM—Directed by Sheila Imme, THE HIDDEN DREAM is a historical documentary recounting the Filipino and Filipino American experience, touching upon key events including the Bataan Death March and the Rescission Act of 1946.

Check back soon for more announcements including more films and special events.

A new film by legendary independent filmmaker John Sayles, AMIGO, will be presented for a weeklong run at the Gene Siskel Film Center. AMIGO depicts the impact of the Philippine American War from the point of view of a village mayor, played by noted Filipino performer Joel Torre. The film also stars Ronnie Lazaro (Manila S,ooper (The Bourne Identity).

From the official site:

AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.

When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters.  But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor.  Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.

A powerful drama of friendship, betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence, AMIGO is a page torn from the untold history of the Philippines, and a mirror of today’s unresolvable conflicts.

John Sayles has a long history of taking on profound historical events and thought provoking social issues, in independent classics including EIGHT MEN OUT, LONE STAR, and MATEWAN.

AMIGO plays at the Siskel Center from Friday, September 16 through Thursday, September 23:

Fri, Sep 16th at 6:00pm

Sat, Sep 17th at 3:00pm

Sat, Sep 17th at 7:45pm

Sun, Sep 18th at 4:45pm

Mon, Sep 19th at 8:00pm

Tue, Sep 20th at 6:00pm

Wed, Sep 21st at 8:00pm

Thu, Sep 22nd at 6:00pm

For more information, please visit:
http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/amigo
http://www3.amigomovie.com/

Location: Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street. Chicago, IL
Date/Time: Wednesday July 20, 6:30pm; Saturday July 23, 2:00pm (repeat)
Admission: Free
Reef Hunters (Muro Ami) (1999) 120minutes / Tagalog with English Subtitles

As part of its summer-long International Screenings program, the Chicago International Film Festival in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General and GMA present a screening Reef Hunters (Muro Ami), directed by legendary filmmaker Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Philippine superstar Cesar Montano.

In this dramatic underwater adventure, master fisherman Fredo tyrannically commands a rattletrap ship crewed by boys from poor fishing villages. Their hazardous free-diving fishing expeditions are driven by Fredo’s obsession with catching the greatest number of fish. Recklessly disregarding all signs of danger, he blatantly flaunts the laws of the sea, against whom he bears a grudge. But the forces of nature cannot be ignored.

Stay tuned for more information about our 2011 Festival in November, and a full lineup of Filipino films throughout the year.