Foster Child fever in Cannes

By Christine S. Dayrit

(L to R) Jeremy Segay, Tikoy Aguiluz, Mel Martinez, Lali Suzara, Stephen Collin of Screen Int'l, Christine Dayrit, Robbie Tan, Ferdinand Lapuz, Ralston Jover, Brilliante Mendoza, Cherry Pie Picache, Evelyn Vargas

The mention of Cannes evokes magical memories of glitz and glamour as the city celebrated its 60th year of cinema in the posh French Riviera resort where million- dollar deals were signed as film producers networked till dawn over sparkling champagne and festive premiers. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney sashayed down the red carpet in the Palais des Festivals as thousands of swooning fans craned their necks and inched their way to capture a photo or two.

Of all the towns in France, Cannes is perhaps the best-known among foreigners after Paris. A rather tranquil and elegant resort for most of the year, its image is progressively transformed into a “Glamour Plus” during the duration of the festival which was set from May 16 to 27 this year. The most famous film festival in the planet and movie market drew celebrities, talented filmmakers and powerful studio executives. Indeed it's a heaven sent opportunity for everyone to jump on the bandwagon and flaunt whatever films they are selling. This annual occasion is the best time for Cannes to present itself not only as a resort destination for the cosmopolitan tourists but also as a town with topnotch infrastructures for international festivals, congresses, trade fairs and product launches. After all, the film festival was its first stepping stone on the path to fame and glory.

Presscon of Foster Child

It is interesting to note that the origins of this festival date back to the 1930's when the French decided to retaliate against the Venice Film Festival, which they saw as an exercise in propaganda launched by Mussolini. In the early days, it was more a forum than a competition as almost all the films presented received an award. In the fifties, the festival was a small and rather intimate affair in a town which was a playground for the world's elite. Aga Khan would stroll along to the screenings and a British-film critic reported that he once shared the auditorium with just two spectators: Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. It was in 1959 when a large American contingent joined the festival and realized Cannes was the perfect showcase for their products and very soon, the film market was created.

The event's prestige and global popularity is also attributed to a highly revered international jury who chooses the Palme d'Or the Grand prize, the Jury award and awards for best actress, actor and screenplay.

(L to R) Cherry Pie Picache, Robbie Tan, Ivy Lam Hollywood Film Market Reporter, Christine Dayrit, Lali Suzara, Ferdinand Lapuz

For 12 hectic days, virtually the entire international film industry gravitate towards the French Riviera The harbour is full of mega-yachts where grand parties are held nightly and the exclusive seafront hotels booked . Built on the site of an ancient Ligurian city, on an elevation that slopes down to the edge of the Gulf of Napoule and with the backdrop of the Massif of L'Esterel, it is difficult to imagine a more magnificent location than Cannes.

Over a breathtaking view of the Festival de Cannes, my colleagues FDCP Executive Director Lali Suzara, our official photographer Romelda Martinez (who looks more like the glam model herself) and I met with gracious Xavier Merlin, Director of European and International Affairs of the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), our agency's French counterpart. This meeting was arranged by amiable media attaché of the French embassy Martin Macalintal to foster cooperation and close working ties between Philippine and French cinema. We are very fortunate that the French Embassy in the Philippines is very supportive and magnanimous towards Philippine Cinema and we look forward to many joint projects with them.

(Top) FDCP Exec Director Lali Suzara, Christine Dayrit, Seiko Fproducer Robbie Tan, Romelda Martinez, Brilliante Mendoza and Cherry Pie Picache

We waited for the sun to go down as we strolled along the Croisette, a palm-lined boulevard that sweeps around the Bay of Cannes from the old harbour, graced by visitors to the festival, trade fairs and corporate congresses. Both business and pleasure travelers enjoy shopping at posh boutiques, dining in charming restaurants while stargazers and vacationers escape festival frenzy on boat-rides to the nearby islands for meditation at the ancient monastery on Saint-Honorat or soul-stirring strolls through the fort and museum on Sainte-Marguerite.

While the glitterati of Cannes exudes lavish extravagance, it is refreshing to realize that the kind of films that truly matter here are movies that come from the heart like “Foster Child,” the entry of the Philippines at the Directors Fortnight that received a 10 to15 minutes standing ovation during its premiere. The movie chosen by festival director Oliver Pere is a worthy slice of cinema verite and Mendoza's most mature work according to Variety magazine. It bagged a feisty deal with Ad Vitam, a French distribution company. In fact, Robert Malengreau, head of the Brussels Independent Filmfest said during the presscon for Foster Child, this is a very impressive step for Philippine Cinema which he simply adores.

Mel Martinez, Lali Suzara, Robbie Tan, Cinemanila Head Tikoy Aguiluz, Oliver Pere, Cherry Pie Picache, Christine Dayrit, Brilliante Mendoza

Proudly present at the Noga Hilton for the film's world premiere were FDCP Executive Director Lali Suzara, Seiko Films' Robbie Tan, Foster Child Director Dante Mendoza, writer Ralson Jover, project consultant Ferdie Lapus, Romelda Martinez and I. Director Dante and Cherry Pie remained standing as the spotlight was focused on them for almost 15 minutes. The international crowd lined up for autographs of our very own “Foster Child” film team as many women thanked director Dante and Cherry Pie for this exquisite film. It has been quite some time since a global Filipino film enthralled the international film industry. The Director of Cannes Fornight Oliver Pere remembered how in the ‘70s the film “Jaguar” by the great Lino Brocka qualified in the main competition of Cannes Filmfest. This film was produced by our very own FDCP Chairman Rolando “Jacky” Atienza while he was head of Bancom Audiovision then.

Evelyn Vargas, Cinemanila Head Tikoy Aguiluz, Robbie Tan, Kimji-Seok Program Dir of Pusan Film Festival, Christine Dayrit, Lali Suzara

Overseas audiences are beginning to discover our movies again. With the outright sale of the film Foster Child to the global community, we have imparted our sincere message of hope. Director Dante Mendoza is an adoptive parent himself who advocates adoption of children from our country to give them a better life. I have always been a staunch advocate for development communication, a tool or medium to make a difference in the lives of many. Congratulations Direk Dante, Cherry Pie, Seiko Films and all the wonderful people behind this great film.

The author Christine S. Dayrit is the Chairman of Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) and International Film Festival Committee (IFFCOM) which are both under the aegis of Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).