“Tambara,” helmed by Orvil Bantayan and based on the Palanca award-winning short story by Macario Chiu, tells the story of a school teacher whose modern way of thinking clashes with the healing practices of an indigenous shaman. The film was funded under a grant from the Film Development Council of the Philippines as part of the First National Film Festival (Sineng Pambansa) in 2012. It was shot in Calinan district, Davao City.
Another full-length film, “Sonata Maria,” by Bagane Fiola will be screened on April 24 at 2:30 p.m. also at the Davao Cinematheque. The short films “Tong Adlaw na Nagsnow sa Pilipinas” by Joshua Medroso and “Dragon sa Capangunuran” by Adrian Lo will also be shown in the afternoon on the same day.
“Sonata Maria” is a psychological drama and part experimental film detailing the lives of two former bandmates who reconnected after years of separation. Shot in downtown Davao City, the film won Best First Feature in the 2014 Young Critic Circle Awards.
“Tong Adlaw na Nagsnow sa Pinas” won the Best Film Prize in the 6th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Sine Kabataan, while the historical drama “Ang Dragon sa Capangunuran” won several awards at the 20th Mindanao Film Festival.
A film forum will be held on May 2 at SM City Davao Annex, which will tackle the history of the Davao film industry and its current state. The event will be attended by several filmmakers, film programmers, and educators. (RGA/PIA Davao)
