In the Mood for Love, Itim, Kisapmata, all in QCinema this year
In the Mood for Love, Itim, Kisapmata, all in QCinema this year
Stills from ‘Kisapmata,’ ‘Itim,’ and ‘In the Mood for Love’ from left to right.
The 10th edition of the QCinema International Film Festival, which runs from November 17–26, 2022, honors the classics in fresh new ways. The event will feature newly restored versions of two renowned directors' iconic movies.
In the Digitally Restored Classic Section of QCinema, Mike de Leon's classic films Itim (The Rites of May) (1976), which was also his first film, and Kisapmata (In the Wink of an Eye) (1981), will be shown alongside Wong Kar-love wai's romance In The Mood for Love (2000).
In order to inspire viewers to learn more about the history of cinema around the world, a unique selection of the greatest restored prints was recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival's Cannes Classic section, where the new restoration of Itim had its world debut.
Charo Santos, in her first film role, appears in the movie, which Gawad Urian named the best movie of the decade (1970–1979). Tommy Abuel, Mario Montenegro, and Mona Lisa are also in it.
The 107-minute psychological thriller centers on the journey of a young photographer from Manila who visits his disabled father in his birthplace. He records the local Holy Week rituals while there and meets Teresa, a fascinating woman who is still troubled by the death of her sister.
Another masterful work of suspense by Mike de Leon, Kisapmata, is based on the 1961 murder-suicide of the Cabading family. It was influenced by the crime documentary "The House on Zapote Street" by Nick Joaquin. The Philippine Free Press journal published Joaquin's tale under the pseudonym Quijano de Manila. It is thought to be one of the most harrowing movies in Philippine film history.
A still from ‘In the Mood for Love’
Along with Vic Silayan, Jay Ilagan, and Charito Solis, Charo Santos also appears in the multi-award winning movie.
The movies will also be shown at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which is hosting a Mike de Leon retrospective titled "Mike de Leon, Self-Portrait of a Filipino Filmmaker" for the full month of November, in addition to QCinema. According to the MoMA website, Mike de Leon is "one of the most ferociously political and theatrical storytellers in his own right" in Filipino film.
The 4K restored edition of the 2000 romantic drama In The Mood for Love by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, who is most renowned for the non-linear storytelling and distinctive cinematography in his films, completes the QCinema's Digitally Restored Classics area.
Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung play two heartbroken characters who find comfort in each other's company in this movie, which many people believe to be among the best romances ever filmed. The movie is frequently cited as one of the best movies of all time and as a significant contribution to Asian cinema.
The restored version debuted in 2020 to mark the release's 20th anniversary and has since played to packed theaters and festivals all around the world.
