What if there was an ASEAN Film Festival?
Mighty)
No, there is no ASEAN film festival. At least none that I am aware of! If you are aware of one, please do let me know so I can correct my perception.
With the conclusion of the 13th French Film Festival, I got me thinking about my favorite films and the film industry in the Philippines, in India, in Hong Kong, and the whole of Asia.
European Cinema is coming to the Philippines. Last year, I cannot remember the exact date though, I also watched a movie during the Japanese Film Festival, also at the EDSA Shangri la Plaza in Mandaluyong City. I forgot the title of the movie. All I remember was that it featured some Shaider-like movements of swords, martial arts and the Samurai culture in Japan. I loved it!
When we had Cable TV back in the province, I also watched a lot of movies from Hong Kong—Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Andy Lau were regular fares for me. Long before Shaolin Soccer and the Warriors of Zu were screened in the Philippines, I have watched them at the Star Chinese Channel. Oh how, I miss those days. Some of the Chinese directors I remember are Wong Kar Wai and Johnny To. That was four years ago, so I can’t remember the others anymore.
Hong Kong Cinema has indeed defined its character in Asia. It has even invaded Hollywood through the efforts of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and other Chinese film buffs who relocated there.
I also read somewhere that the film industry of Thailand and Taiwan are good. The Philippines have also imported some movies from South Korea. I don’t know about Malaysia and Singapore. All I know is that Lucy Liu hails from Malaysia. I also know nothing about films from Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Are they growing? Or are they being killed by foreign competition?
What if the countries from Southeast Asia, or the Asia Pacific Region could engage in a kind of cultural exchange through an ASEAN or Asia Pacific Film Festival? Say, movies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the rest of the region could be shown in a handful of Manila theaters. Shangri la isn’t a bad place to go to. Heheh.
We could benefit from this kind of exchange and be more aware of our collective culture as Asians. Not only that, we can also appreciate the film culture of each country. If there could also be an Indian Film Festival in Manila, I believe that film buffs and moviegoers would love to watch such movies. After all, the Japanese and the French Film Festival were warmly accepted here, I believe Asian films would also be warmly received.
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