Cinemanila returns to Taguig on 11-11-11

November 11, 2011 will be a lucky date for film-lovers in the Philippines as the Cinemanila International Film Festival returns to Taguig with 80 films from around the world. With the theme "I ♥ Cinema. I ♥ Cinemanila," the festival, now on its thirteenth year, will screen films from 30 different countries at Market! Market! cinemas, Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City, and outdoor screening on the lawn of High Street. “For the love of cinema has been our mantra for thirteen years now," says founding director Tikoy Aguiluz. “Cinemanila has been a passionate affair for us since we started in 1999. The message is clear: the Cinemanila experience has been a journey of true love for cinema." On choosing Taguig as the venue of this year’s festival, Aguiluz explains: “It is our hope and wish that the Cinemanila International Film Festival will continue to grow with the City of Taguig so that we will be able to realize our mission to bring world cinema to the Philippines and Philippine cinema to the world." Cinemanila 2011 opens with Wim Wenders’ Pina, which was shown in the Berlin Film Festival. The movie is a feature-length dance film in 3D, featuring the ensemble of the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and the creativity of the late German choreographer Pina Bausch. This year’s festival also highlights a film program called The Beautiful Game, which will feature films revolving around football/soccer and its beloved icons. The program includes documentaries about the world’s football heroes like Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story (2011), Zidane, A 21st Century Portrait (2006), and The Two Escobars (2010), as well as soccer features like Jafar Panahi’s Offside (2006), Khyentse Norbu's The Cup (1999), Pantelis Voulgaris' The Striker with Number 9 (1989), Gurinder Chadha's Bend It Like Beckham (2002), and Jim Libiran's Happyland (2010). In the Digital Lokal section, finalists Regiben Romana's Sakay sa Hangin, Vincent Sandoval's Señorita, Mes de Guzman's Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa, and Christopher Gozum's Lawas Kan Pinabli are featured. Included in the celebrations is the launch of Cinemanila Moonlight Series, weekly outdoor film screenings to take place in Taguig City beginning January 2012 Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Philippine superstar Nora Aunor, and Italian master of horror Dario Argento. Nora Aunor's stellar achievements as actress, singer, TV host, and producer have earned her the nickname "Superstar," while the 71-year-old Argento, considered as the Italian version of Alfred Hitchcock, is famous for his work in the horror genre and for his influence on modern horror and slasher movies. Films of the Lifetime Achievement awardees will also be shown in the festival, like Argento's Dracula in 3D and Aunor in Himala, which was directed by Ishmael Bernal. — KBK, GMA News