Catch Kenji Mizoguchi’s Orizuru Osen at the 13th International Silent Film Festival
In celebration of the 13th International Silent Film Festival, the Japan Foundation Manila brings the award-winning Orizuru Osen (Downfall of Osen) to the Philippine silver screen on August 31, 2019 at Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City.
Directed by renowned screenwriter and film director Kenji Mizoguchi, Orizuru Osen is the story of a servant girl named Osen. She works for an immoral antique dealer named Kumazawa, who forces her to help him with his illegal business using her beauty.
Kumazawa is later on arrested, and Osen agrees to finance the young Shokichi who dreams of becoming a doctor. The only way she can make the money is to prostitute herself, but in the process gets arrested by the police.
Years later, Shokichi becomes a doctor, and he found that Osen is suffering from an incurable illness.
Also read: International Silent Film Festival Manila Lets You Appreciate Art, Music, and Silence in One
Orizuru Osen (Downfall of Osen) is based on the Kyoko Izumi novel titled Baishoku Kamo Nanban. This dramatic film set in the Meiji Era was first released in 1935 and was restored as a part of the 2018 Kyoto Prefecture digital remastering development program.
Said film will feature live music accompaniment by Kaduma ni Karol, featuring the Philippines’ queen of chants Karol Dawonlay (also known as Carol Bello) of Pinikpikan/Kalayo band and singer-songwriter Dandy Dawonlay of Mindanao’s Higaonon Tribe.
The couple is joined by Mindanaoan musicians namely Richard Mira (rhythm guitar) and Joshua Gultiano (bass guitar). Musicians based in Manila namely master percussionist Jean Paul Zialcita and young flute player Iwag Alcalde will also join the show.
Admission to the movie screening is free.
The 13th International Silent Film Festival (ISSF) Manila is set to run from August 30 to September 1. It will feature films from countries such as the Philippines, Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria.
Eclectic musicians will be lending their sound to these silent and forgotten classics, adding new gradients to these monochromatic films and sparking new interest to the younger generation.
For more information, you may visit the International Silent Film Festival Manila’s official Facebook page. You may also visit The Japan Foundation, Manila’s official website and Facebook page.
Details
What: Orizuru Osen film screening
Where: 6/F SM Aura Premier, 26th Street, cor. McKinley Pkwy., Taguig City
When: August 31, 2019, 3 p.m.
Ticket Information: Free
Facebook: facebook.com/InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila
Source: The Japan Foundation, Manila’s official press release
Images courtesy of The Japan Foundation, Manila
