Concerto at the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival

Concerto was recently screened in Chicago, USA, on sunday Nov. 8 at the last day of the recently concluded Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.

Details on the festival at thier site:

http://cfaff.org/films/

Bamboo Camera Award for Concerto!

We were truly honored and humbled to recieve the Bamboo Camera Award from respected filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik at his recent retrospective at the UP Film Center. He had previously announced this at the awards night of the Minadanao Film Festival http://pudol.multiply.com/journal/item/59 where Maria Morales accepeted the honor in behalf of the production.

Paul Alexander Morales (Concerto) and co-awardee Tara Illenberger (Brutus)

We were also facinated to watch Kidlat in his element, as well as to savour his film. He screened his "Bakit Yellow ang Gitna ng Rainbow?” that night and we were duly impressed with the courage, originality, and scope of the work. Considering that he created this work on film can only inspire us younger filmmakers to make the most of our digital tools.

Kidlat explains the frame.

Congratulations to all the awardees!

For Independent films:

Concerto and Brutus (2008)

Ligaw Liham (2007)

Saan Nagtatago si Hapiness (2006)

Concerto in Davao

There was a sense of coming full circle when Concerto finally played in Davao last December. It was really toucing to see the Campo family members especially Lolo Jose's children and grandchildren. I wish we could have spent more time together.

Dec. 14, 2008 after the Concerto screening as the opening film to the 4th Mindanao Film Fest.


Before the premiere in Davao and the subsequent SM screenings, the film also had a series of special screenings at the NCC Mall in Davao for students.

Students from the Philippine Women's College of Davao, after a screening at NCCC Mall .


Students from the Davao City High School, my alma mater, also the school where most of the Campo clan featured in the movie graduated from.

Many thanks to all family members, festival staff, press, friends, teachers and students who joined us in our Davao screenings.

News from Concerto in Cebu

We just learned about the Cebu tax issue on FDCP graded films. Other filmmakers should take note.

We truly learning a lot about independent film producing here in the Philippines. Its challenging :-)

from: http://www.cdn.ph/photostore/news_details.php?id=1436

Cebu Daily News

No automatic tax cut for ‘Concerto’ movie

1/23/09 By Marian Z. Codilla, Reporter

A PRODUCER of critically acclaimed movie “Concerto: Davao War Diary” has discovered that the Cebu City government does not follow a national law that grants tax exemptions for profits from top-quality films

Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez confirmed that City Hall typically does not implement Republic Act 9167 because the city government doubts the law’s constitutionality.
“Here in Cebu (City), we give exemptions based on the decision of the Cebu City Council. This is a case-to-case basis. We find the law violates the constitution. That is why we are not implementing it,” Fernandez said.

R.A. 9167 is the act that created the Film Development Council of the Philippines, which is tasked to review and grade films based on their quality.

The law grants an amusement tax reward for films graded “A” or “B” by the film council’s Cinema Evaluation Board. Grade A films are awarded a 100-percent exemption from the amusement tax, while grade B films enjoy a 65-percent discount on the tax.

Viking Logarta, Cebuano consulting producer of the independent film “Concerto” said he was disheartened when the film’s producers discovered that the city did not automatically grant a full tax exemption, considering the film was given grade A status by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

“The Cebu City government – the only one in the whole country – has questioned the constitutionality of R.A. 9167 and has chosen to ignore the law in the meantime,” Logarta said.
Fernandez advised Logarta to write a letter to the City Council so that a full tax exemption for the film could be discussed in the council’s next session on Wednesday.

Fernandez said it was likely that the producers of Concerto would be granted a full exemption since the film qualifies under the conditions set by the city, including conditions that at least one producer of the film must be Cebuano, and that the film must be educational.

Fernandez said producers of other well-graded films also have to convince the City Council before these could be given amusement tax exemptions.

On Note

by Philbert Ortiz Dy
posted on Thursday November 20, 2008
on ClickltheCity.com

The general moviemaking wisdom would tell us that you shouldn’t really try to do a period film with a small budget. Many have certainly tried, and many, indeed, have failed. But in comes Concerto, which not only takes us to the past, but has the courage to try and portray a life during wartime. And amazingly, Concerto is mostly a success, producing a completely lovely picture that fares far better than many films with larger budgets.

The film is set near the end of World War II. The bombings in Davao City has forced a family to move to a small home just outside the city. There, they find themselves neighbors to a tiny camp of Japanese pilots. The patriarch, Ricardo, was once tortured in Japanese prison camps, and still harbors a grudge, but he finds himself having to be accommodating to the soldiers in order to let his family survive. The family is made to examine the line between love and hate as they continue to deal with the Japanese, letting them into their home, getting to know them better, and seeing them as real people capable of kindness. And as the war comes closer to ending, a piano concert is performed by Ricardo’s two prodigious daughters, marking a strange and special bond between the family and the invaders.

The narrative isn’t as tight as it could be, but it makes up for it by being emotionally taut. The film is based on true stories from director Paul Alexander Morales’ family, and as with most true, personal stories, they come with a little extra weight. There’s probably a good ten minutes of the script that could’ve been cut, and a few scenes that could have been rewritten to make things flow more smoothly, but it’s pretty easy to forgive. What this script delivers is a strong thematic depth and a good emotional punch that goes much further than your average film.

It takes a lot of guts to go shoot a period piece. It takes even more guts for that period to be a period of war. Director Paul Alexander Morales does a few really clever things to transport the audience to a different time. The production design really helps, but mostly, the movie works by setting the tone. Morales doesn’t really show us much of the war going on, but he makes us feel its effects. We mostly don’t see the bombs falling on the terrain, but we see the family hunkered down in a shelter, praying the rosary. Everything feels right, and the effect is astounding.

It also helps that the performances are so good. Jay Aquitania is a really clever actor, and he’s got a lot waiting up his sleeve as Joselito. Meryll Soriano has always been one of our smartest actresses, and as Niña, she puts on a nuanced performance that provides the most powerful moments of the film. Yna Asistio is quite lovely as Maria, and her talent is really evident. Shamaine Buencamino and Nonoy Froilan are tremendously good as the heads of the family as well. The cast is solid all the way through. Concerto came out of this year’s Cinemalaya without a lot of fanfare, mostly overshadowed by the juggernauts that were Jay and 100. But this movie just doesn’t deserve to fade into obscurity. This is a fantastic effort, one that outclasses many higher-budget affairs by a long, long shot. It could still be tightened up, but the story and the eventual message is worth sitting through the excesses. Recommended.

My Rating: 4 stars

Concerto NOW SHOWING!!!

Gorietta 4, Cinema 4

12:50 PM
3:15 PM
5:40 PM
8:05 PM
10:30 PM LMF

Price: 130

(http://www.sureseats.com/)

Indie Sine, Robinson's Galleria, Cinema 8

1:00 PM

3:30 PM

6:00 PM

8:30 PM LMF

Admission Price: P141

http://www.robinsonsmovieworld.com/galleria.html

SM Megamall

“A” rated Concerto in Cinemas starting November 19

Last November 11, The Cinema Evaluation Board graded the indie feature Concerto an “A”, granting it a 100% tax rebate based on its artistic and technical merits.

The first full length film of filmmaker Paul Alexander Morales, Concerto has previously been heralded as an “ambitious historical film” and in its theme and execution “confident” even as it departs from the usual indie film fare. Concerto is one of the first Filipino films to focus on the war experience in Mindanao.

The film, set in Davao City in 1944, stars Jay Aquitania, Meryll Soriano, Shamaine Buencamino, Nonoy Froilan and Ynna Asistio. It also features a rare Japanese cast that include Hiro Sakoda, Masaya Okazawa, Hiroshi Okamoto, Lisa Takayama and Kazumi Yoshida.

The limited release of Concerto in five cinemas; Glorietta 4, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM South Mall and Indie Sine at Robinson’s Galleria, starts November 19, 2008.

Concerto’s release heralds the wider showing of the acclaimed Cinemalaya 2008 films, with limited runs of Boses, 100 and Jay scheduled in the last quarter of 2008.

Concerto is also scheduled to be shown in Davao City in December 2008, where it has been invited to be the opening film of the annual Mindanao Film Festival, a limited run in SM Davao follows.

The film's trailers can be viewed at www.youtube.com/arthmael69 and at www.digitalspiritfilms.com

Concerto in Cinemas

Theatrical Screenings of Concerto begin November 19, 2008:

Indie Sine, Robinson’s Galleria

SM North Edsa

SM South Mall

SM Megamall

Glorietta 4, Ayala Center Makati

"In a forest outside Davao City, towards the end of World War II, a displaced Filipino family becomes acquainted with a group of Japanese officers camped nearby.

As the war ends, a special piano concert is held in the forest.



RATED: PG-13

114 minutes HDV (2008)


Concerto was a finalist to the Cinemalaya 2008, held
at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

for inquiries, group sales and special screenings

contact:

mobile: 097178801014, 09178105999
email: arthmael@hotmail.com

Concerto Reviews

I am really amazed at the amount of feedback online for the Cinemalaya Festival. I hope this interest for independent films will continue and really empower an independent film scene in Manila.

Re-posting some selected reviews on Concerto:

http://cbcpcinema.blogspot.com/2008/08/concerto.html

Concerto
Cast: Jay Aquitania, Meryll Soriano, Shamaine Buencamino, Nonoy Froilan, Elijah Castillo, Alyssa Lascano, Yna Asistio; Director: Paul Alexander Morales; Producer: Digital Spirit Production; Screenplay: Paul Alexander Morales; Cinematography: Regiban Romana; Editor: Laz'andre; Music: Jed Balsamo;

Running Time: 90 minutes; Location: Davao; Genre: Drama
Technical Assessment: 4
Moral Assessment: 4
Rating: For viewers 13 and above

Sa pagtatapos ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, may isang pamilyang lumikas at napilitang mamundok sa Davao. Malapit ito sa kampo ng mga Hapon. Si Ricardo (Nonoy Froilan), ang padre de pamilya, ay dating puno ng militar na pinahirapan ng mga Hapon. Upang makapamuhay nang mapayapa, kinaibigan ng kanyang asawang si Julia (Shamaine Buencamino) ang ilang mga Hapon na nasa malapit na kampo. Ang kanilang anak na lalaki na si Joselito (Jay Aquitania) ay marunong magsalita ng Hapon kung kaya't naging madali sa kanya ang pakikipag-kaibigan sa mga ito. Sapagkat may likas na angking talino sa musika, naging labis ang kasiyahan ng pamilya nang muli nilang makuha ang naiwan nilang piano. Ang mga anak na babae na sina Nina (Yna Asistio) at Maria (Meryll Soriano) ang siyang nagsilbing taga-aliw sa mga Hapon bilang mga pianista. Isang concerto ang ginanap sa kanilang tahanan para sa mga kaibigang Hapon bago tuluyang pumutok at matapos ang digmaan.

Maayos at malinis ang pagkakagawa ng Concerto. Tunay sa pamagat nito, talagang para kang nanonood ng konsiyerto sa pelikula. Nakakaaliw ang musika na talaga namang nagpatingkad sa isang kuwentong-digmaan. Mahusay ang pagkakalahad ng kuwento. Payak ngunit malaman at punong-puno ng damdamin. Pawang walang itulak kabigin sa galing at husay ang mga nagsiganap. Natural ang kilos ng lahat at pawang mukhang mga hindi umaarte. Totoong-totoo pati ang mga karakter na Hapon. Maliit man o malaking eksena ay nagawang kapani-paniwala ng direktor. Sana'y mas marami pa ang makapanood nito sa mga sinehan at maging isang instrumento upang buhayin ang naghihingalong pelikulang Pilipino.

Ipinakita sa Concerto ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng isang buo at nagkakaisang pamilya sa gitna ng unos at giyera. Maraming pagsubok ang maaring pagdaanan sa iba't-ibang panahon pero ang wagas na damdamin at matibay na paniniwala sa Diyos ang mga subok na sandata upang maalpasan anumang hirap at pasakit. Kapuri-puri ang isang pamilyang sabay-sabay na nagdarasal sa gitna ng kaguluhan ng paligid. Kitang-kita sa pelikula kung paanong ang pakikipag-kapwa at pananampalataya ay nakatulong ng labis sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa gitna ng digmaan. Tunay na walang mabuting naidudulot ang giyera. Ngunit gaya ng ipinakita sa pelikula, ang digmaan ay isang pagkakataong nagpapalabas ng pinakamabuti o pinakamasama sa tao. Maaaring maging instrumento ang giyera upang mas mapabuti at mapatibay ang isang pamilya, ang pagkakaibigan. At isa rin ang sining at musika sa maaaring magtawid sa tao sa anumang paghihirap. Ang sining at musika ay biyaya ng Diyos na marapat lamang gamitin sa kabutihan at maging simbolo ng Kanyang kadalikaan sa panahon man ng digmaan o kapayapaan.


http://noholdsbarred.multiply.com/reviews/item/9


Category:Movies
Genre: Drama
Title: CONCERTOGenre: Historical/ Biographical DramaRating: Five out of Five
Among the six competing films that I have seen, this is the best.

“Concerto” is based on the story of director’s (Paul Alexander Morales) family.The setting is World War II at Davao city, which was also greatly affected. This was where the rich family goes to living in simplicity and fighting to survive the Japanese occupation, their father (Nonoy Froilan) being a rebel against the Japanese, and their older sister married to an escaped guerilla. One of the children (Jay Aquitana) befriends the occupants and somehow puts the family, and the community’s status at extremes–either for the good or for the bad. The older sister (Meryl Soriano) tries to teach her younger sister (Yna Asistio) about ‘befriending’ young male foreign soldiers. And the mother (Shamaine Buencamino), trying to be as compassionate as ever to the unrestful neighbors even to the Japanese occupants despite the fact that they had caused her leg injuries.How does the war end for them when all the things they do don’t give them of being safe after the war ends?

This film actually comes to me as a local counterpart of “The Sound Music”, but not in a negative way, knowing that such story really happened in 1940s.I was extremely touched and awakened by the movie. Just the fact that the world still does not know what happened to Davao the day that the Pearl Harbor got attacked was already surprising.The film simply showed that life must go on, even on the toughest of adversities or the risk of losing the people and things you loved the most. One must be strong for the other, so he or she could be the anchor of strength for the family.Through the course of the film, there were times I was actually worried for their life, forgetting that it was all in the past. In the moments when they were praying, I also was praying inside my head and it was really a fascinating experience, to get carried away.

If there was an award in the Cinemalaya 2008 for the best ensemble cast, I would nominate this film. The entire cast actually felt like a real and convincing family to me.Jay Aquitana was really good at speaking Niponggo, as if he spoke the language for a very long time. It shows that he actually understood every Japanese word that he said.I really appreciate the fact that Meryl Soriano actually plays the piano and that she plays it well. This talent of hers were put to good use in the film.It was also a moving moment when Shamaine Buencamino and Yna Asistio sang together a Kundiman song for the Japanese. Both actually have good singing voice quality. On a personal note, this song that they used was actually my competing piece when I participated in Kundiman competition in High School.I found it cute and touching that young Alyssa Mae Lescano sang beautifully “Pilipinas Kong Hirang” in English version. Garry Lim managed to be the annoying and suck-up-to-the-Japanese neighbor.The execution of the film was very well done. The choice of music, cinematography, effects and casting were all topnotch. If there was one thing in the film that felt like an ingrown nail on a well-pedicured feet, I would say it was the inconsistency in the use of the language in the film. At the beginning of the film, Shamaine Buencamino and the neighbors were speaking partly in Bisaya and tagalog, with matching accents. But towards the end of the film, language became purely tagalog and the accent was lost.

Altogether, it really is a great film. If these were distributed in DVDs and VCDs, I would definitely get a copy. It’s shelf life would be nearly immortal, and I’m sure it’s something we would truly pass on to the subsequent generations. This film rightfully complies with the theme of Cinemalaya 2008, “Anong kwento mo?” It is truthful to the history and to its audience.I give it a two-thumbs-up.(Watched Fri., 18th July 2008, CCP TNA 9:00PM Gala)

http://pinoyparazzi.com/100/carballo.html

Concerto, magandang talunan!

By RONALD C. CARBALLO

Matagumpay na namang nagwakas ang Cinemalaya Film Festival 2008 sa pamamagitan ng simple, ngunit credible namang awards night. Deserving naman ang mga nagwagi, lalo na ang mga ni-review rin naming Jay ni Francis Pasion na siyang nag-Best Picture na nagbigay rin Best Actor trophy kay Baron Geisler; si Chris Martinez bilang Best Director at Best Screenplay para sa kanyang 100, kung saan tumama rin ang choice namin at nagwagi si Mylene Dizon ng Best Actress at si Eugene Domingo naman ang Best Supporting Actress.

May isa pang magandang pelikulang gustung-gusto namin, ngunit wala ni isa mang napanalunan. Well, iginagalang naman namin ang desisyon ng mga hurado... ito ang pelikulang Concerto ni Paul Alexander Morales, na kanyang first film directorial job.

Ang Concerto ay tungkol sa isang pamilya sa Davao na naipit sa gitna ng digmaan ng Hapon at Amerikano nung 1941. Pinagbuklod sila ng kanilang pagmamahal at pananalig sa Diyos, habang nalagpasan ang pagmamalupit at pagtatraydor ng mga Hapon sa pamamagitan ng tunay na pagpapatawad, na naging daan ang kanilang husay sa pagtugtog ng piano at pag-awit.

Sa biglang tingin, may mga nagsabing parang Oro, Plata, Mata ni Peque Gallaga nung early 80's ang pelikula, ngunit tahasan naming masasabing di hamak na mas maganda at mas pelikulang-peikulang ang Concerto ni Morales. Maraming mga makatotohanang elemento ang Concerto na wala sa Oro, Plata, Mata, tulad ‘yung ipinakita rito na may isang eskwelahang tinuturuan ng mga Hapones ang mga batang Pinoy ng Japanese Language, kaya dalang-dala ni Jay Aquitania ang papel ng nag-iisang lalaking anak sa piling ng mga babaeng kapatid. Nagawa niyang makipagkaibigan sa mga Hapon dahil marunong siya ng wika, kahit sabihing pinahirapan pa ng mga Hapon ang kanyang ama at buong pamilya.

Well-researched at well-written ang pelikula na puno ng puso na kulang din sa Oro, Plata, Mata, kaya kahit hindi nagpapaiyak, maiiyak ka lalo sa mga eksenang nabubuo na ang friendship nila sa mga Japanese soldiers dahil itinuro ng ina na "pakainin at mahalin ang kaaway". Mahusay na naitawid ng writer-director ang mga makatotohanang eksena dahil base ito sa mga tunay na pangyayaring dinanas ng kanyang angkan nung digmaan. Mahusay ang production design ni Gerry Santos at Musical Score ni Joel Balsamo. Hindi matatawaran ang husay ng pagganap nina Sharmaime Centenera bilang nanay; Merryl Soriano at Inah Asistio na introducing dito, bilang magkapatid; at siyempre, si Jay Aquitania. Nakatulong din ng malaki na mga tunay na Japanese ang mga gumanap na sundalo. Kahit hindi mo naiintindihan ang kanilang sinasabi, naitawid ng writer-director ang tamang emosyon sa bawat eksena sa isang hindi masalitang pelikula.

After the Cinemalaya

Thank you again to all the producers, cast and crew who joined us at the CCP screenings of CONCERTO, for the Cinemalaya. Also for those who joined us at the UP screening last July 28.

I am amazed at all the writing about the films in the festival. That people have strong opinions is great. At least they care. :)

We hope these discussions can help us further define the films that we will be creating, and how we can show these films to a wider audience.

On our part we will be taking some cues from the reviews for a Final Cut of Concerto in time for its limited release in Cinemas this year.

CONCERTO STAFF and CAST

The DE LA TORRE FAMILY The cast with Paul and DOP Regiben O. Romana.
PICTURE!PICTURE! The whole gang is here :)

Concerto wrapped up principal photography at sunrise on April 23, 2008, at CASA SAN MIGUEL in Zambales. The 23rd is the birthday of my Lolo Dr. Jose Yap, and only later did I realize that we actually shot his scene (Dr. Tan and Dolores) on that day. The spirit of our ancestors are truly with us...

My sincere thanks for all the hard work and total commitment from all the staff and crew. In truth doing this movie is quite akin to the war experience depicted in the movie. The uncertain and long hours, the external and internal threats hanging above our collective heads.

In the end I hope that the movie does capture this indominable will to survive and the deep love and freindship that emanated from the set. My apologies to any ruffled feathers and hurt feeling along the way.

May GOD continue to bless us all.

Andre's photos from the CONCERTO shoot

Photos by Andre, CONCERTO producer and editor.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrecawagas/

Link to PEP article on Ynna

http://www.pep.ph/news/16840/Ynna-Asistios-first-movie-project-is-a-Cinemanila-08-official-entry

Link to PEP article on Meryll

http://www.pep.ph/guide/1761/Meryll-Soriano-goes-back-to-work-in-indie-movie-Ang-Concerto

The Yap Family at the Cinemalaya Auditions

With my Lola, Felicitas Campo Yap, after the 2nd day of the Cinemalaya Auditions at the CCP.

It was nice to be able to share the experience with them, as it is their story too...

Ms Blanche, Lola Fely and I, Auntie Tess, Mitch, Mario Yap and JJ Coronel :)

Casa San Miguel Panorama

spent the chinese new year's eve at Casa San Miguel in Zambales with Myra Beltran and Coke Bolipata location hunting for the film and plans of world domination :)

Concerto Casting Call, Cinemalaya Auditions

AUDITIONS: CINEMALAYA 2008

Auditions for the 10 finalists of Cinemalaya 2008 this coming January 19-20, Saturday and Sunday, 1:00P.M.-7:00P. M. at the MKP Hall, 4th Floor, CCP.

AUDITIONS! for CONCERTO
a film by Paul Alexander Y. Morales

DE LA TORRE FAMILY

RICARDO – 45- 55 yrs. old, slim, Moreno, former military officer

JULIA – 35-40 yrs. old, Mestiza, loving mother, CAN SING

NARDO – 25-30 brother of JULIA, moody, fit/active

JOSELITO – about 19- 21 yrs old. Moreno, witty, outgoing

NINA - 21-23 yrs old, conservative, strong willed, CAN PLAY THE PIANO (read notes)

MARIA - about 16-19, vivacious, optimistic, pretty CAN PLAY THE PIANO (read notes or widow)

JULIO – about 12-14, sutil, expressive

SELMA – about 7-10 yrs old, innocent, CAN SING

ACTORS WHO ARE (OR CAN PLAY) JAPANESE NATIONALS

FUJITA - 40 - 50 yrs old. Stern, Japanese Commander.

ODA – 30- 40 yrs old, with a sinister air.

YAMADA – 20 – 30 Idealistic Officer, can play the piano

EUSEGI – 18-21 handsome, expressive

Other characters including Caucasians, Japanese and Filipinos

INQUIRIES: arthmael@hotmail.com concertothefilm.blogspot.com

an entry to the 2008 CINEMALAYA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
July 11-20 Cultural Center of the Philippines