MANILA, Philippines - On October 16, 2008, the Cinemanila
International Film Festival will blow out the first 10 candles on its
cake. Opening the festivities is the Hong Kong caper "Sparrow" by
maverick director Johnny To.
With sparse dialogue and scenes mostly driven by music and facial
interplay, "Sparrow" depicts the entanglement of a group of Hong Kong
pickpockets with a dashing but mysterious beauty. In directing
Sparrow, To revealed that "The Hong Kong that I have shown in the
film can be seen through my eyes. It is the Hong Kong of my growing
years.
"Sparrow" premiered at the 58th Berlin International Film
Festival where it was selected in competition. It also marks another
milestone in the illustrious career of Johnny To.
To first gained recognition in the 1989 box office hit "All About Ah-Long" starring Chow Yun-Fat. Since then, To has racked up over thirty
directing and producing credits to his name making him one of Hong
Kong's most prolific artists. His 2005 hit "Election" was hailed by
Quentin Tarantino as one of the best films of the year. In 2007, To
was honored as “Filmmaker in Focus" at the Rotterdam International
Film Festival.
Back in 1996, together with his frequent collaborator Wai Ka-Fai (Mad
Detective), To formed Milkyway Image, a production house that has
quickly established itself as the de facto hallmark of quality
filmmaking in Hong Kong with its eclectic collection of films
stemming from almost every genre and featuring Hong Kong's biggest
stars. Sparrow is no exception. Boasting of superb cinematography
and musical score, the film features Simon Yam (Full Contact), Kelly
Lin (Sparrow) and Lam Ka-Tung (Infernal Affairs).
Dekada Cinemanila will run from October 16-29 at Gateway Cineplex 10,
Araneta Center, Quezon City. It is presented by the Independent
Cinema Association of the Philippines (ICAP), the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Film Development Council of
the Philippines (FDCP). And is supported by Gateway Cineplex 10, the
Official Festival Venue, Screen Australia and the Australian
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Philippine
Airlines. Special thanks to the Office of the President, PAGCOR, PCSO
and the Department o f Tourism.
The 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival is also made possible
by Cinema One and ABS-CBN, TBWA, Business World and Manila Bulletin,
Solid Video, Scenema Concept International, Rene Barbier Wines, Orion
Chocopie and Mike & Ike candies, NU 107, XFM 92.3 Clickthecity. com
and PEP.ph. Special thanks to the Office of the President, PAGCOR,
PCSO and the Department of Tourism.
Dekada Cinemanila International Film Festival October 16-29, 2008
Gateway Cineplex 10
