Asia Society New York Presents New Philippine Cinema This November

From Saturday, November 14, through Sunday, November 22, Asia Society New York presents New Philippine Cinema, a series of four exceptional films representing different genres and exploring diverse themes.

With its unfettered energy, audacity, and wide-ranging creativity, recent Philippine cinema has injected a breath of fresh air into the international scene. This coming of age of new Philippine filmmaking, said to be the third golden age of Philippine Cinema, follows the prolific waves of the 1950s and the 1970s and early 1980s. At the turn of the millennium, a new iteration of independent cinema emerged along with the advent of digital technology that allowed greater experimentation among a new generation of young filmmakers.

What distinguishes this new Philippine cinema from many major film movements is its diverse and eclectic nature of the film landscape and diversity of cinematic voices.

Opening the series on Saturday, November 14 is Apparition (2012). A Q&A with director Isabel Sandoval, and La Frances Hui, Associate Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art will follow. The series also includes Erik Matti's On The Job (2013), Loy Arcenas' REquieme! (2012), and Brillante Mendoza's Thy Womb (2012). Mendoza was crowned Cannes' Best Director for Kinatay (2009).

New Philippine Cinema is part of an ongoing season of Philippine programming presented in conjunction with the exhibition Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms, on view at Asia Society Museum through January 3, 2013.

Tickets: $8 members; $10 students/seniors; $12 nonmembers. Visit http://AsiaSociety.org/NYC or call 212-517-ASIA (2742) for more information.

Film Descriptions

Apparition (2012) 86 min

Directed by Isabel Sandoval.

It is 1971. Sister Lourdes (Jodi Sta. Maria) has just arrived in a remote convent to begin her new life. Mother Superior (Fiedes Uyugan-Asensio) rules the convent with a tight fist and keeps news of the outside world, including President Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of martial law, from reaching the nuns. Soon, though, the turmoil of the world beyond trickles in. During a trip to town to get supplies, Sister Lourdes is raped by a band of thugs. Suddenly, peace is no more. Human character is questioned. Faith is tested.

Followed by a Q&A with director Isabel Sandoval, and La Frances Hui, Associate Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern Art. DCP.

Saturday, November 14, 5:00 p.m.

On the Job (2013) 121 min

Directed by Erik Matti.

This propulsive crime drama opens with two hit men, Tatang (Joel Torre) and Daniel (Gerald Anderson), on the job hunting down a target. Soon it is revealed that they are prisoners occasionally let out of jail to perform assassinations. In this seedy world of metropolitan Manila where corruption and criminal acts are equally as prevalent in prison jungles as they are in the highest political offices, young federal agent Francis (Piolo Pascual) enters to resolve the puzzling crime network. A raw, gritty, and tense thriller puts viewers on the edge until the fatal last act. Blu-ray.

Sunday, November 15, 5:00 p.m.

REquieme! (2012) 97 min

Directed by Loy Arcenas.

Swanie (Shamaine Buencamino), a small-town neighborhood politician, tries to gain notice by holding a wake for a distant relative who became a sensation after murdering a famous fashion designer overseas. Meanwhile, her estranged son turned transgender woman, Joanna (Anthony Falcon), gives up the money she has saved up for a breast transplant in order to help bury a neighbor. Messy and hilarious events unfold along the way as politics, bureaucracy, funeral fiestas, secrets and lies collide to put life and death the Pinoy way fully on display. DCP.

Friday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.

Thy Womb (2012) 100 min

Directed by Brillante Mendoza.

Set in a predominantly Muslim island province in the southern tip of the Philippines, Thy Womb tells the story of Shaleha, a midwife who brings life to earth but ironically cannot bear a child due to infertility. Although she is in a loving marriage, Shaleha is determined to find her husband another wife, permitted by local law and culture, to fulfill his desire to have offspring. As the couple travels from one island to another in search of a suitable bride, Shaleha quietly submits to her fate with grace and resilience. Grande dame of Philippine cinema Nora Aunor gives a powerful and heart wrenching performance as Shaleha. DCP.

Sunday, November 22, 5:00 p.m.