...the most notable Asian films of 2011

'Busong' among Wall Street Journal's 'standout' Asian films of 2011

 

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

January 4, 2012

 

 

'Busong' and 'Niño' ('Busong' photo from Facebook; 'Niño' still from pelikula.tumblr.com)

MANILA, Philippines – Director Auraeus Solito’s opus “Busong (Palawan Fate)” has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal Asia as one of the most “notable” Asian films released last year.

In the article, “The Year in Asian Film” published on Dec. 30, film critic Dean Napolitano wrote that in “Busong,” Solito “merges the mystical and the familiar in this culmination of a life-long exploration of his family's tribal origins.”

Other films listed in the article were China’s “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate,” “Inseparable” and “Wu Xia”; Hong Kong’s “Life without Principle” and “A Simple Life”; South Korea’s “A Reason to Live” and “Unbowed”; and Taiwan’s “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale” and “You are the Apple of My Eye.”

“Busong” was first screened locally at the 7th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival under the Directors Showcase category in July last year. But two months prior, the Palawan indigenous film was among the 21 entries in the official selection of the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival’s Directors' Fortnight section.

After its Cinemalaya stint, where it took home three Balanghay trophies for Best Sound, Best Original Music Score and Best Director, it received the International Critics Prize at the Eurasia International Film Festival in September and the International Competition Tomorrow's Cinema Award at the 38th Brussels International Independent Film Festival in November.


‘Niño’ screens in US film fest

Meanwhile, director Loy Arcenas’ “Niño” will be shown at the 23rd Palm Springs International Film Festival to be held from Jan. 5 to 16 in California.

According to the festival’s official website, the multi-awarded Cinemalaya film about a once-illustrious Filipino family and greed will be screened on Jan. 6 and 9. It is included in the World Cinema section with 77 others.

“Niño” first gained international recognition in October last year when it won the New Currents award at the 16th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) along with Iranian film "Mourning" by Morteza Farshbaf.