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 http://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

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/

July 20: Free Screening: Reef Hunters

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.

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 2011 we are pleased to announce our 2011 Short Film Award sponsored by Comcast. See the Entry Form for details.

Deadline: September 15, 2011.

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
516 N. Ogden #151
Chicago, IL 60642
(630) 247-9644

Please contact Jonathan Laxamana at jlaxamana@cfaff.org for questions.

The Philippine Consulate General of Chicago, The Filipino American Network of Chicago, and the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival continue our celebration of the 150^th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal with a repeat screening of Bayaning Third World, an award-winning film directed by Mike DeLeon that examines the life of Rizal from a unique point of view.

A film within a film, Bayaning follows two filmmakers, played by Ricky Davao and Cris Villanueva, in their struggle to get beyond the mythology surrounding the iconic national hero. Whether by magical realism or as metaphor for the process of research, the filmmakers engage in imagined conversations with notable figures from Rizal’s life—his family members, his controversial mistress, and the Jesuit priest who witnessed Rizal’s final moments, finally leading up to a confrontation with Rizal himself.

Bayaning Third World offers a thought provoking look at the issues that linger alongside the man’s legacy. Also starring Daria Ramirez, Rio Locsin, Cherry Pie Picache, and Joel Torre as Dr. Jose Rizal.

As part of an ongoing celebration of the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival and the Filipino American Network invite you to a special free screening of Rizal Sa Dapitan presented by the Philippine Consulate at the Harold Washington Library Center.

In the bucolic surroundings of Dapitan, Jose Rizal led a quiet life serving the people on the city. Assuming the role of a doctor, teacher and engineer, he steered the inactive country into action.
From award-winning director Tikoy Aguiluz, together with Albert Martinez and Amanda Page, comes an honest and intelligent film interpretation of the National Hero’s exile in Dapitan.
The movie won the Grand Jury Prize and Best Actor in the 1998 Brussels International Film Festival. In the Philippines, Rizal sa Dapitan won the Best Picture and Best Director in the 1997 FAMAS Awards, Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award in the Metro Manila Film Festival, and Movie of the Year and Director of the Year in the Star Award.
A Viva Films Production in Filipino with English subtitles. 100 minutes.
Part of the Filipino American community’s celebration of the 150th birthday of Rizal.

Stay tuned for more screenings leading up the 2011 Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.

Sunday, April 10 at 4:15pm

Join us for a collection of some of our favorite short films from the past seven years in a special presentation at the Chicago Asian American Showcase, presented by FAAIM at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
The work of Filipino American filmmakers from around the U.S. is featured in this program showcasing the best shorts from seven years of the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.

Spotlighting: Co-directed by Justin Lin and Josh Diamond, Spotlighting is a short doc that chronicles the history of a Filipino music group, from 50s pop stardom to their later years as a beloved Vegas lounge act.

Rolling Longaniza: Directed by past Showcase filmmaker Romeo Candido, this comedy focuses on a young man who goes against his family’s time-honored recipe for longaniza, the Filipino breakfast sausage.

APL Song (Black Eyed Peas) and Crooks and Rooks (Bambu): A pair of hip hop selections from noted Fil-Am filmmaker and music video director Patricio Ginelsa.

Arthur’s Theme (PIC): A music video from Steven Mallorca, frontman for New York-based hip-hop/funk/ska act PIC, and director of the 2005 indie feature SLOW JAM KING.

Flower Thieves: Chicago-based actor and stunt performer Shawn Bernal stars in a comedic short about a burglary attempt that turns into a blindingly fast martial arts duel.

Mother: John Raposas directed this dramatic short about a woman who faces the challenge of adopting a girl with special needs.

The Other Way Round: Geoffrey Quan’s acclaimed short about the adult daughter of illegal immigrants who faces deportation to a country she hasn’t visited in decades.

Slow Machines (The Gold Medalists): Bernard Badion’s quirky music video for Bay Area band, The Gold Medalists won CFAFF’s 2008 Music Video contest.

Balikbayan: Larilyn Sanchez and Riza Manolo directed this satire on consumerism, now considered a classic of Filipino American cinema.

Catch this unique program on Sunday, April 10 at 4:15pm at the Gene Siskel Film Center at 164 N. State St, Chicago, IL.

And check out these other great programs at the Chicago Asian American Showcase:

SAIGON ELECTRIC – Feature Film

Sat, Apr 9th at 8:30pm
Thu, Apr 14th at 8:15pm
Award-winning filmmaker Stephane Gauger (OWL AND THE SPARROW, VIETNAM OVERTURES) is back with a new feature focusing on the proliferation of hip hop culture in Vietnam. The vibrant, eclectic style of Saigon street kids is at the center of this story of two girls: Mai, a naïve country girl schooled in traditional ribbon-dancing; and Kim, an urban-bred, street-smart member of a hip hop crew. Differences dissolve in the face of big-city challenges when Mai flunks an audition to the dance academy and joins the hip-hoppers preparing for their do-or-die face-off with Hanoi’s North Killaz hip hop crew. In Vietnamese with English subtitles.

UPRISE! PART 2

April 9th, 3:00 pm

This program of short films celebrates Asian Pacific Americans through the work of young filmmakers who define their identities, tell their stories, and participate in the transformation of their community through activism and the arts. Presented by the Multi-Cultural Youth Project.

Please contact Jonathan Laxamana at jlaxamana@cfaff.org with questions.