International Silent Film Festival Manila Lets You Appreciate Art, Music, and Silence in One

The 13th edition of the International Silent Film Festival (ISSF) Manila is happening on August 30 to September 1, 2019 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City.

Albeit being the first of its kind in Asia, it is not known to many that silent films have loyal fans who truly love the genre. Year after year since 2007, these audiences join the ISSF to witness a lineup of beautifully curated silent films made fresh with original scores performed live.

ISFF has become a venue for eclectic musicians to infuse their art into forgotten classics, adding new gradients to black and white films, their flavor to spark new interest in the younger set.

Here is the line up for this year’s festival:

Native Life in the Philippines (1913)
August 30, 8:30 p.m.

This is a 37-minute documentary about the Kalingas, directed by Dean C. Worcester. The film will be live scored by the local indie band, Munimuni.

The Downfall of Osen (1935)
August 31, 3 p.m.

The film is by Kenji Mizoguchi and is a story about a beautiful servant girl, Osen, used by her unscrupulous employer, an antique dealer, to help his illegal business. A live musical performance by Kaduma ni Karol will accompany the film.

Es Mi Hombre (He’s My Man) (1926)
August 31, 5:30 p.m.

Directed by Carlo Fernandez Cuenca, the film tells about Don Antonio who, beset by misfortune, must fend for himself and his daughter Leonor, until luck smiles upon him unexpectedly after a series of odd jobs. Tarsius, a Manila-based duo, shall take on the live score for the film.

L’Onestà del Peccato (The Wife He Neglected) (1918)
August 31, 8:30 p.m.

This film directed by Augusto Genia revolves around the tragic character of Maria d’Alconte played by an intense Maria Jacobini. Her sacrifice restores order and justice in a world weighed by greed and arrogant intellectualism. A collaboration between Stef&No, a sax player and composer from Turin, together with the Pocket Orchestra will provide a fresh score for the film.

Von Morgen Bis Mitternachts (From Morn to Midnight) (1920)
September 1, 4 p.m.

The story, which is an adaptation from the Expressionist theater play by George Kaiser, centers on a bank teller who gives in to temptation and steals from a rich old lady. Directed by Karlheinz Martin, the movie, which never saw the light of day in Germany, was thought to be lost. The live score will be played by Anima Tierra, a unique ensemble inspired by traditional world music.

Kalif Storch (1924)
September 1, 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Hans Berger, this is a film that tells about the misadventures of Caliph Chasid of Bagdad and his Grand Vizier Mansor after they buy magic powder from a wizard. Based on a fairytale by Wilhelm Hauff, the movie is one of the few remaining family-friendly flicks from the Austrian silent film era. Rock band Tanya Markova shall take on scoring duties for this year’s closing film.

All screenings will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

The International Silent Film Festival is presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Japan Foundation Manila, Instituto Cervantes, Philippine-Italian Association, Goethe-Institut Philippinen, and Embassy of Austria.

Check out the aftermovie for last year’s event!

The festival will also commemorate Philippine cinema’s first centenary, which is a milestone in Southeast Asia. In line with this, Professor Nick Deocampo, author and film historian, will share his extensive knowledge in Asian film making during his lecture on August 31 at 1 p.m.

Also read: EIGASAI 2019 Opens With a Unique Line-Up of Films!

Details

What: 13th International Silent Film Festival
Where: Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City
When: August 30 to September 1, 2019
Tickets: Admission is FREE.
Facebook: facebook.com/InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila

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This is a press release. Minor edits were made prior to publishing.