Spanish Films shown free at cinematheque

By Art Tibaldo

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Instituto Cervantes, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy and the Film Archives of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), present “Directoras Españolas” (Spanish Female directors), a series of Spanish films to be shown during the month of March at FDCP Cinematheques around the Philippines.

The film cycle kicked off during the International Women’s Day on March 7 at the recently inaugurated, 160-seater, Cinematheque Zamboanga. After opening in Zamboanga, the Spanish films are to be shown in the Cinematheques of Davao from March 14 to 16, in Iloilo on March 21 to 23 and in Baguio on March 28 to 30.

The line-up of “Directoras Españolas” is composed of award-winning films such as Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes), a poignant story about abuse, directed by Icíar Bollaín in 2004; Pilar Miró’s El perro del hortelano (The Dog in the Manger), a comedy based on Lope de Vega’s play; Héctor (2004) and Siete mesas de billar francés (Seven Billiard Tables, 2007), both films directed by Gracia Querejeta.

In 2013, FDCP and Instituto Cervantes held a film cycle focusing on the issue of immigration, with four movies each from both countries. This year both institutions hope to achieve and build on the already established success. Entrance is free admission on a first-come, first-served basis at the Baguio Cinematheque located at the Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City.