MANILA, SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Society for Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) are celebrating National Artist for Film Gerardo de Leon’s centennial year through a series of free-admission film screenings with introductions by respected members of the film industry.
The yearlong celebration, “National Artist for Film: Gerardo de Leon @ 100,” will be launched on September 12 at the Leandro Locsin Auditorium of the NCCA.
De Leon, or Manong Gerry as he is known in the film community, made around 75 films over the course of his career, which started in 1938 and lasted until his death in 1981. He received a record seven FAMAS Best Director Awards between 1952 and 1972, and was posthumously named National Artist in 1982.
“Gerardo de Leon’s body of work represents the very best of what Filipino artists can and should aspire for, “ shared Teddy Co, SOFIA Board Member and the event’s lead curator.
“It’s a tragedy then that only one-third of his filmography have survived. It is therefore imperative that his sterling reputation as an artist of the highest order be re-ignited and re-established,” Co said.
The film screenings—most of which take place at the Cultural Center of the Philippines—include some of De Leon’s most famous films such as Dyesebel, The Moises Padilla Story, and Noli Me Tangere, while the speakers include screenwriter Clodualdo del Mundo, National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, director Pepe Diokno, and writer Erwin Romulo.
SOFIA and CCP are also looking for a long-thought lost film to be restored and screened at the end of the celebration. A book of essays on De Leon by various authors will also be published.
The film screening schedule is as follows:
Sept. 14, 2013 – The Moises Padilla Story with Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera at the CCP Dream Theater
Oct. 12, 2013 – Sanda Wong with Atty. Francis Cruz at the CCP Dream Theater
Nov. 9, 2013- Lilet with Andrew Leavold at the CCP Dream Theater
Dec. 30, 2013- Noli Me Tangere with Pepe Diokno (at Rizal Park)
Feb. 8, 2014 – Banaue with Lito Zulueta at the CCP Dream Theater
Mar. 8, 2014- Ang Bagong Maestra with Dr. Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. at the CCP Dream Theater
Apr. 12, 2014- Terror is a Man with Eduardo Dayao at the CCP Dream Theater
May 10, 2014- Women in Cages with Erwin Romulo at the CCP Dream Theater
June 14, 2014- El Filibusterismo with Dr. Nicanor Tiongson at the CCP Dream Theater
July 12, 2014 – Gerardo de Leon thru 4 Decades with Teddy Co at the CCP Dream Theater with excerpts from Dawn of Freedom, Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo, omnibus shorts Tagumpay ng Mahirap (The President), Fe, Esperanza, Caridad.
Regional outreach screenings at the following venues will also be held:
Nov. 22-23, 2013 Binisaya (Cebu City) – Kulay Dugo ang Gabi
Nov. (last week) CineCabalen (Angeles, Pampanga) – 48 Oras
Nov. 26-30, 2013 SalaMindanaw (General Santos City) – The Walls of Hell
Dec. 9-15, 2013 Mindanao Film Festival (Davao City) – Ibulong Mo sa Hangin
Dec. 11-14, 2013 Pasale (Naga City, Camarines Sur) – Sisa
