Raymond Red's Himpapawid (Manila Skies) and Anino at the FDCP Cinematheque this week

This week at the FDCP Cinematheque, we wil get to watch two marvelous works from the highly respected Filipino filmmaker Raymond Red. His short film "Anino" and his full-length noir-ish drama-mystery "Himpapawid" (a.k.a. "Manila Skies") are featured this week. The FDCP Cinematheque is located at the B&C Square Building, Solis Street, Iloilo City (near BPI and East West Bank). The Cinematheque is Iloilo's home of quality indie films and art films from the local and international cinema. [hit the jump to continue]

Inspired by a true event, "Himpapawid (Manila Skies)" tackles the astounding story of a lone deranged hijacker who is pushed to the edge as he struggles with the oppression of surviving in modern Philippine society. The film dwells on the common story of a desperate simple man from the countryside searching for a decent means of living in the big city, Manila. He keeps stumbling as he moves from one “station of the cross” to another. In dire straits, he later joins an amateur gang plotting a heist to get even with a corrupt employer. This ultimately goes wayward and ends in devastation. Further hounded by guilt that his father is helplessly ill in the province, he draws his last straw and plots the insane hijacking of a plane to finally take him to his ultimate destination – home or hell.

Raul Arellano, who plays the lead, is a versatile actor-painter-musician presently based in Los Angeles CA. He has appeared in two previous films of Raymond Red (Bayani, Sakay) and has won a supporting actor award for his role in Lav Diaz' "Batang Westside". This is his first lead role. The film also starse John Arcilla, Ronnie Lazaro, Soliman Cruz, Karlo Altomonte, Raul Morit, Pen Medina, Archie Adamos, Nonie Buencamino, Nanding Josef, Lav Diaz, Tony Mabesa, Flor Salanga, Jess Evardone, Mon Confiado, Mike Lloren, Sue Prado and Ronron Villar. [check out the Behind-the-Scenes below]

"Himpapawid (Manila Skies)" is Raymond Red’s first major film in nine years since winning the Cannes Palme D’Or in 2000 for his short film "Anino (Shadows)".

Raymond Red’s "Anino" is a thirteen-minute short about a photographer from the provinces (Ronnie Lazaro) wandering about the streets of Manila. He meets a man in black (John Arcilla) just outside a church, and is nearly run over by an old man driving a car (Eddie Garcia); in between, he has a quiet interlude with a child (Ronnie Pulido). People meet, then meet again; harsh words are spoken, and violence inflicted.

"Anino" is a national champion, since it won the Philippines' first Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000.
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