TOHOKU Photo Exhibition at the National Museum

The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) in cooperation with the National Museum of the Philippines, the Embassy of Japan and The Photographic Society of Japan brings to Manila the traveling exhibit TOHOKU－Through the Eyes of the Japanese Photographers, an exhibition composed of 123 photos representing the different aspects of life in Tohoku from its past, present and the future. 

The Tohoku Region is the northeastern section of Honshu, the largest island in Japan.  It is divided into six (6) prefectures:  Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi and Fukushima.  The region is blessed with a beautiful and abundant natural environment of seas, mountains, rivers and forest.  On March 11, 2011, an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 hit Japan and the worst damaged was concentrated in the region.  The media coverage of the destruction made many people familiar with the names of Tohoku cities and prefectures, but few are likely to have a broad knowledge of other aspects of the region.

The exhibition is composed of works by nine (9) photographers and one (1) photographers’ group:  Teisuke Chiba, Ichiro Kojima, Hideo Haga, Masatoshi Naito, Masaru Tatsuki, Hiroshi Oshima, Naoya Hatakeyama, Meiki Rin, Nao Tsuda and the group led by Toru Ito.  Curated by Kotaro Iizawa, a recognized photography critic in Japan, the exhibit showcases the natural and cultural backdrop of Tohoku as well as its people and their way of life.  Photographs taken in the early 50s and 60s are presented together with photos of the present Tohoku to illustrate the varied points of view and generation of each individual photographer.

“TOHOKU－Through the Eyes of the Japanese Photographers”will be on public view at the Gallery XVIII, Old Legislative Building at the National Museum from January 30 to March 17, 2013.  An Art Talk from Mr. Kotaro Iizawa and Mr. Nao Tsuda will be held on March 9 (Saturday).  Film screenings will also be held during the exhibition run. The National Museum is located at Padre Burgos Avenue, Manila. The museum is open every Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The exhibition is part of the celebration of the Japan-ASEAN 40^th Friendship Year.  For inquiries, please contact the Japan Foundation, Manila at telephone numbers (02) 811~6155 to 58 or email@jfmo.org.ph or visit www.jfmo.org.ph

CINE EUROPA: 15 Years + 3 More Cities

The 15th edition of the Cine Europa Film Festival will open with a splash at Shangri-La Plaza on 5 September including a performance by the Manila String Quartet, a painting exhibition by local artists and the screening of the movie "Upperdog",  to mark the inclusion for the first time of a movie from Norway.

To mark its fifteenth year, Cine Europa will draw on its collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to double the numbe rof film Festival locations from three to six.  In addition to keeping its long-standing tradition of screenings at:

• Shangri-La Plaza (6 to 16 September)
• Ayala Center in Cebu (21 to 24 September)
• Liceo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro (27 to 30 September)

Cine Europa 15 will then continue in three other cities:

• FDCP Cinemateque, Davao ( 4 to 7 October);
• FDCP Cinemateque, Baguio (11 to 14 October), and
• FDCP Cinemateque, Iloilo (18 to 21 October)

To further mark the special occassion, the organisers of Cine Europa are for the first time tapping the resources of the Independent Film Cooperative (IFC) to enhance further the educational component of the festival with round table discussions with prominent film personalities and experts exploring the links between European and Filipino films while also offering screenings of selected Filipino movies with European connections.

Back to back with the European films, Cine Europa will show on September 8, 1pm at the Shang's Premiere Theater, "Paglipad ng Anghel", a movie by Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., and a documentary film titled "Kano".

On 15 September at 1pm, "Bakal Boys", considered as the most awarded Filipino film in 2009, winning awards in Thessaloniki, Greece; Torino, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain International Film Festivals, will be featured; and at 4pm, "MNL 143", the movie premiered in the Edinburgh film festival last July 2012 will follow.

From just 11 films in 1998, Cine Europa will now present 21 films from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Admission is free for all screenings at all locations between 6 September and 21 October.
The Manila leg of Cine Europa will open with the movie "Upperdog", which tackles multiculturalism from the experiences of two young Koreans adopted by two different families from Oslo.  Directed by Sarah Johnsen, "Upperdog" received various "Amanda" awards - the equivalent of Oscars in Norway.  In Cebu, the festival will open with the Italian movie by Bernanrdo Bertolucci, "L'Ultimo Imperatore" (The Last Emperor).

For complete line-up of films and synopses, please click here

Julian Vassallo, Political Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to the Philippines said that:

Cine Europa 15 is first and foremost an opportunity for Filipinos to enjoy a taste of Europe's particular cinematic traditions.  It is also an opportunity for us Europeans to wear our heart on our sleeve and share our hopes, fears and dreams with our Filipino friends.

This year's educational component and the screening of select Filipino movies will also explore the links between the European and Filipino cinema which are deeper than many may think.  Educational round tables will tackle different aspects of cinematic art while information will be made available on Filipino filmmakers may be able to access European funds.

The Manila edition of Cine Europa will be inaugurated by the Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, Lubomir Frebort, in the presence of Euroepan Ambassadors and Consuls as well as Ms. Lala Fojas, Executive Vice President and Genereal Manager of Shangri-La Plaza Corporation.

Cine Europa 15 is organised by the European Union Cultural Group in Manila which gathers together the Embassies and Cultural Institutes of the European Union.  The Embassies of Norway and Switzerland, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Independent Film Cooperative, the Shangri-La Plaza Mall (Manila), Arts Council of Cebu and Liceo de Cagayan de Oros (Mindanao)are partners of Cine Europa 15.

KLM royal Dutch Airlines supports Cine Europa 15, and has kindly donated one economy class return ticket to Europe to be raffled amongst those attending any of the screenings of Cine Europa.  It is also a pleasure to acknowledge and thank our new partners: Inquirer.net and Travelife Magazine.

Fête de la Musique 2012

Fête de la Musique 2012 Street Party on Makati Avenue!!

Featuring French DJ collective CHINESE MAN and 11 Filipino bands 

Saturday, June 23, from 4pm to 2am

(Between Kalayaan Avenue & B. Valdez St. Near A-venue Mall)

The most-awaited musical event of the year, Fête de la Musique will be held for the first time on Makati Avenue for an outstanding Street Party Concert on Saturday, June 23, from 4pm to 12 midnight. This year, we are all in for a special treat as Fête de la Musique 2012 features one of the most exciting contemporary artists today: French DJ Collective Chinese Man.

Chinese Man, made up of High Ku, SLY and Zé Mateo started in 2005 at the behest of their grand master, the renowned and mysterious Chinese Man, founder and inseparable figurehead of the Chinese Man Records Label. Their music, a blend of Hip-Hop, Dub, Afro-Beat, Baile Funk, traditional music and forgotten samples make them one of the most innovating Dj collective in France. The revelation of Groove Sessions vol 1 & 2, Chinese Man’s albums, paved the way to a sold-out tour in France and Europe.  Their live acts are a one-of-a-kind experience, especially with their latest opus “Racing with the Sun”, as they showcase a special live music and VJ’s performance featuring 8 people on stage. As an impressive and uniquely multi-faceted group, Chinese Man Records label brings together producers, DJ’s, graphic artists and film makers building and promoting a collective visual and musical identity. As tireless warriors of sound, Chinese Man will infuse a zen and groovy touch on the Fête de la Musique stage that will thrill Filipino audiences and artists. Fête de la musique is also an event to showcase the richness and variety of the Filipino Music Scene. From 4pm to 12 Midnight, 10 Filipino bands will rock the stage such as: Brigada, Paul Zialcita, Cynthia Alexander, Johnny Alegre Affinity feat. Alvin Cornista, The Blue Rats feat. Cooky Chua, Jonan Aguilar feat. Tondo Tribe, Flippin Soul Stompers, Indio I, Hijo,Pepe Smith and French based-Manila singer Julien Drolon. Don’t miss this outstanding musical event as Makati Ave stumbles and crumbles under musical vibrations the whole day!! To quote Chinese Man, “The race with the sun is on... the quest for Zen mind and music exchanges continue!”.  

The main stage will be located at the corner of Kalayaan Ave and Makati Ave. The following pocket venues will welcome different music genre stages: Time (Electronica stage, Kyss (Hip-Hop stage), ST. Giles Hotel (Jazz Stage), Chihuahua (Latin stage), Society Lounge (World/Reggae/Ska stage), Heckel and Jeckel (Soul and Blues), B-Side. Chinese Man is on tour in Southeast Asia in May and June 2012. Filipino audiences have the chance to see them onstage in Manila with their latest live music and video show.

Chinese Man Website: www.chinesemanrecords.com

 

Italian Contemporary Dance Event

You are invited to the performance of "CARTOGRAFIA DISABITATA" 

("Uninhabited Cartography") by the Italian contemporary dance company LE SUPPLICI, headed by multi-awarded choreographer FABRIZIO FAVALE!

23 May 2012, Wednesday
8:00 PM
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater)
Cultural Center of the Philippines

FREE ADMISSION!
For seat reservations please call or email:
Embassy of Italy - 8924531 loc 143; stage.manila@esteri.it
CCP - 8321125 loc 1412; lecoj2002@yahoo.com

Sponsored by the Cultural Office - Italian Embassy Manila

Grazie e ci vediamo!