MANILA, Philippines?Raya Martin?s latest work, ?Now Showing,? will have its world premiere at the 40th Director?s Fortnight section of the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in France next month.
Martin, only 23, is the youngest and only the fifth Filipino director to be featured in the Fortnight, a section in the Cannes IFF that showcases works of new filmmakers.
The Director?s Fortnight has featured the works of Dante Mendoza (2007), Mario O? Hara (2004), Mike De Leon (1982) and the legendary late filmmaker Lino Broka (1978, 1979).
?Now Showing? is one of 25 films from different countries that will be exhibited at the Fortnight, according to line producer Arleen Cuevas. The festival runs from May 15 to 25.
First script
The film, actually the first script that Martin wrote, bagged the Hubert Bals Fund (10,000 euros) of the 2005 Rotterdam International Film Festival at the 2nd Cinemanila Boracay International Co-Production Meeting.
Clocking in at almost five hours, the film revolves around Rita, granddaughter of a once-famous movie star in the 1960s, who grows up selling pirated DVD movies in one of Manila?s oldest districts.
The director pointed out that his film is detailed but fast-paced.
Martin was the first Filipino to be granted a six-month filmmaking residency at the Festival du Cannes? Cinefondation in 2005. He recently bagged a 120,000-euro grant (Fons Sud Cinema) from the French government for his upcoming film ?Independencia.? He also won the Prince Claus Fund Grant of 15,000 euros in last year?s CineMart Awards in Rotterdam for the said film.
Also last year, Martin copped the Best Director Award for ?Autohystoria? at the Cinemanila International Film Festival.
In a chat with Inquirer Entertainment on Monday, Raya confessed that he was feeling the jitters even though he had been to Cannes twice to watch films. ?The audience in Cannes is really special. If they like a film, they will give it all the attention. If they don?t, they will really lambast it,? he said. ?Doon ako naka-witness ng either boos or standing ovation after almost every screening.?
Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph
