SIX FILIPINO FILMS PARTICIPATE IN THE 58^th BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 7-17 FEBRUARY 2008

07 February 2008 – Charge d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin Leslie J. Baja reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a record number of six Philippine films will be represented in the 58^th Berlin International Film Festival, “Berlinale” which will start on 7 February and last until 17 February 2008. 

In the Festival Section “Panorama,” a world premier of the Philippines-Iceland co-production entitled “The Amazing Truth about Queen Raquela” directed by Olaf de Fleur Johannesson and starring Raquela Rios will be shown on Sunday, 10 February 2008, as the curtain rises for Philippine participation in the Berlinale. 

Five other Philippine films will be shown In the Festival Section “Forum” and “Forum-Expanded.”  These films are (1) “Tribu” directed by Jim Libiran; (2) “Tirador” directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza; (3) world premier of “The Muzzled Horse of an Engineer in Search of Mechanical Saddles” directed by Khavn de la Cruz; (4) a Philippine/Dutch/Swiss Co-production entitled “Balikbayan Box” directed by Mes de Guzman; and (5) “Years When I was a Child Outside” (Family Multi Channel) directed by John Torres.

An interesting sidelight of the Berlinale is a panel discussion on experimental films in the Philippines during the period 1988-2008 which will take place on 15 February 2008 with panelists John Torres, Khavn de la Cruz and Kidlat Tahimik. 

For more information, please visit the website of Berlinale at www.berlinale.de.  END

/wingret