Local film buffs rejoice as the Cinematheque Center Manila is now officially open!

Manila’s newest film center, located along TM Kalaw Avenue in Manila, will open its doors to the public with a screening of the Lino Broca classic Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) on January 8. Broca is widely regarded as one of the best directors the Philippines has ever seen, and has been honoured with the title of National Artist.

Cinematheque Centre Manila’s facade.
Photo courtesy of FDCP

A poster for Lino Brocka’s classic film Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer Preen.

Other movies which will be shown for the month of January include Elwood Perez’ Esoterika: Maynila (2014) and another Filipino classic, Lamberto Avellana’s adaptation of Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1965), a play written by Nick Joaquin. Avellana and Joaquin are both National Artists of the Philippines. A sample of top Danish films will also be shown in the cinema. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis though, so make sure you come early. All of the films will be shown for free except for two: Esoterika and Lav Diaz’ Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon (2014). Admission for Esoterika will be at P100 while Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon is at P200. For the complete schedule, click here.

The Cinematheque’s 101-seater theatre.
Photo courtesy of Spot.ph

Apart from the 101-seater theatre, the 2,000-square-meter Cinematheque also houses the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) main office, a café with posters of classic Filipino films on its walls, classrooms for use by film advocates and industry leaders in conducting workshops, a souvenir shop, and the Museo ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Film Museum).

The Film Museum is located on the ground floor of the building, just outside the theatre. It houses several exhibits which showcase Filipino film history – from film equipment and posters to miniatures of Manila’s historic film theatres. It also has statues of Filipino film greats Gerardo “Gerry” De Leon, the most awarded director by the Filipino Academy of Movies and Sciences, Avellana, Brocka, and another Filipino directing great, Manuel Conde.

Cinematheque Centre Manila is just one of 5 Cinematheques being run by the FDCP in the country, with the other four residing in Baguio, Davao, Iloilo, and Zamboanga.

Details:

Cinematheque Center Manila
Address: 855 TM Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila 1100
Telephone number/s: (02) 708–7920 or (02) 256–8331
Website:www.fdcp.ph