PETA's "Haring Lear," an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play (Jan 27-Mar 4, 2012)

As the first play for 2012, PETA introduces the first-ever Filipino adaptation of William Shakespeare's King Lear. Set in a post-nuclear world that is strangely contemporary and familiar, Shakespeare's King Lear receives a fitting, royal makeover, fashioned by a pool of Filipino theater giants.

Haring Lear will be shown at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City on January 27 to March 4, 2012.

69th Golden Globe Award Winners & Nominees (2012)

Photo courtesy of The Inquisitr

The 69th Golden Globe Awards was held on January 15, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton. The awarding rites was hosted by Ricky Gervais. 

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for movies and television:

MOTION PICTURE

Motion Picture, Drama

The Descendants
 

The Help
 

Hugo


The Ides of March


Moneyball


War Horse

"Bourne Legacy" shooting in Malate, Manila

The Bourne Legacy film has already started shooting in Malate, Manila as its first location on January 11, 2012 (Wednesday). It stars Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton. The producer, director and the production crew were preparing the location shoot very well and Filipinos were so excited the whole time.

[More information about the film here.]

Francis Tolentino, head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said that he prepared 120 crowd control personnel to assist traffic enforcers within the Malate district. As early as 5am on January 11, all the police and crowd control personnel were already gathered for their location assignments.

180 Microcinema Festival Narrative 2012: Philippine Premiere at Power Plant Cinema (Jan. 7, 2012)

Everyone is invited to the Philippine premiere of 180 Microcinema Festival Narrative 2012 to be held at the Power Plant Cinema, Rockwell Center on January 7, 2012 at 10:00am to 1:00pm. 3-minute film entries from around the world will be shown. Jury Panel Head and Academy Award-winning producer, Stephanie Walmsley, will also be in attendance for special segments. RSVP thru +63.917.6288039. 

  

Launched in 2009, the 180 Microcinema Festival encourages filmmakers to ‘Spin the System’ with 180-second cinematic experiences embracing non-traditional and unorthodox approaches to production and distribution, utilizing the web, mobile devices, and emerging digital platforms to reach a global audience. During the course of the last Festival, our Jury Panel, headed by Jeremy Segay (Selection Committee, Director’s Fortnight – Cannes Film Festival / Consultant to Festival Paris Cinema, France) evaluated 87 films in the Narrative, Experimental, and Documentary Categories, while viewers in 72 countries voted online to determine the Audience Choice awardees.

Repertory Philippines presents "Next Fall" (Jan. 13-Feb. 5, 2012)

 

Repertory Philippines offers Next Fall as its first production for 2012. Written by playwright Geoffrey Nauffts, and directed by Audie Gemora, Next Fall is a story about a gay couple who have conflicting views about religion. The play is showing on January 13-February 5, 2012 at the Onstage in Greenbelt 1, Makati City.

Next Fall is co-presented by the City of Makati, Enderun Colleges and Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa. It is presented by special arrangement with Creative Artists Agency.

 SYNOPSIS 

Next Fall is a very moving story of Luke and Adam, a gay couple agonizing over differences in their religious faiths. The play portrays the ups and downs of this unlikely couple’s five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. And when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends for support and answers.

A symposium on "Philippine Film: History & Criticism" at UP-Diliman (Jan 13, 2012)

A symposium on Philippine Film: History & Criticism will be held at the CMC Auditorium of UP-Diliman on January 13, 2012 at 8:30am to 5:00pm. This is in honor of Nicanor G. Tiongson. 

Program for Day 2: Film Module

Jan 13, 2011: 830 am-5 pm, UP CMC Auditorium

8:30-9:20 am      Registration and coffee

9:20-9:40am       Opening

Chari Lucero, Project Background

Jonathan Chua, Conference (Day 1) recap

Roland Tolentino, Conference (Day 2) orientation

PANEL 1: 9:40-11 am

9:40-10    Nestor O. Jardin: The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival

Cinemalaya was founded in 2005 with clear objectives: 1) to help develop and support the production of cinematic works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity; 2) to discover, encourage, support, train and recognize gifted Filipino independent filmmakers; 3) to promote Filipino independent films locally and internationally; and 4) to establish a network for exchange, communication, and cooperation among members of the independent film sector. The paper will assess the impact of Cinemalaya after 6 years and discuss how it should move forward to better serve Philippine independent cinema.

"The Bourne Legacy" film looking for crowd talents

The Bourne Legacy, the fourth installment of the "Bourne" film franchise will be shooting in various locations within Metro Manila from January to March 2012. Starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton, the film will be directed by Tony Gilroy. Screenplay is written by Tony Gilroy and Dan Gilroy.

The Bourne films are action-packed films based on the character of Jason Bourne, a former CIA assassin suffering from extreme memory loss. The stories were written as novels by Robert Ludlum and were all adapted for the big screen, featuring Matt Damon. Tony Gilroy co-wrote the screenplays of all 3 films. Doug Liman directed The Bourne Identity (2002), while Paul Greengrass directed The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).

Fireworks Display for 2012 Countdown: My Top 3 Picks (London, Sydney & Dubai)

Image courtesy of: Metro UK

Fireworks display is one of the most awaited events on New Year's Eve anywhere in the world. Here are my Top 3 picks of the Best Fireworks Display for the 2012 Countdown: (1) London, England; (2) Sydney, Australia; and (3) Dubai.

(1) London, England

MMFF 2010, 2011 & Beyond: 10 Points

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has been one of the most controversial film events in the Philippines every year. Here is my forecast of the films that may compete in the 2012 MMFF.

You may also check out the following as references:

36th Metro Manila Film Festival (2010)
37th Metro Manila Film Festival (2011)

(1) Nagsama ang dalawang higanteng bida noong 2010: Ang Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote na nakakuha lang ng 2 awards.

(2) Kaya naghanap ng ibang kapartner si Enteng. Ngunit hindi pinanindigan ang Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na 'To (2010) dahil ang nangyari ay Ang Enteng ng Ina Mo para sa 2011 (a.k.a., Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na Ito Part 2!).

(3) Sa 2012, itutuloy na ang naudlot na Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Promise, Last Na Ito Part 2! (na kung tutuusin ay Part 3 na!).

(4) Noong 2010, walang award na nakuha ang Shake, Rattle & Roll 12. Pero ngayon, ang Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 ay 3rd Best Picture. Improving na nga ba talaga ang SRR series?

Jose Rizal: The First Hero (a documentary)

Maestro Film Foundation presents a new documentary entitled Jose Rizal: The First Hero directed by Paolo Abella and produced by Jourdan Sebastian, in cooperation with  Fluidpost and Bigtop. The film is written by Christian Vallez, Jonathan Guillermo and Joem Torallba, while directors of photography are Arvin Viola and Odyssey Flores, production design by Nina Torres and wardrobe of Jose Rizal was created by John Ablaza.

Every December 30, the Philippines celebrates Rizal Day and it is considered a non-working holiday in Philippine calendars.