Thai-Japan Legends in 9th Silent Film Fest
The musical theme of THE OVERTURE from Thailand lends itself well to the 9th Silent film Festival. Watch it for free on August 29, 2015- 1pm, Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza. Make sure to go an hour early for tickets given on first come first served basis.
Written by
Jude Bautista
While there have been many great works and artists in previous Silent film festival editions such as Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS and Charlie Chaplin, this year is particularly impressive. First time participant Thailand has put forth a film entitled THE OVERTURE. It is based on the life of Royal Musician Sorn Silapabanleng and his son Prasidh Silapabanleng who became National Artist for Music.
Sorn Silapabanleng was given the royal title of Luang Pradit Phairoh which translates to ‘inventor of beautiful sounds’. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
Japan on the other hand has 4 comedy short films, 2 of which are from Yasojiro Ozu: WASEI KENKA TOMODACHI and TOKKAN KOZO. Ozu is considered as the tenth greatest director of all time in the 2002 British Film Institute’s Sight & Sound poll of Critics’ top ten directors. Audiences will also be able to catch extremely rare Filipino silent film BRIDES OF SULU for this year’s fest.
Yasujiro Ozu is considered as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
These are just some of the legendary artists in a total of 9 different countries participating in the 9th Silent Film Festival held at Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 27-30, 2015. This is the only Silent Film Festival in Asia and is accompanied by top international and Filipino musicians.
Seated from left: FDCP Proj Dev Officer Quintin Cu-Unjieng, Austrian Cultural Attaché Lisbeth Strohmeier , U.S. Emb Asst Cultural Affairs Officer Elizabeth Liu, PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca , Royal Thai Emb Minister Counselor & Consul Somjai Taphaopong, French Audio-Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal and Goethe-Inst Phil Prog Coordinator Shadin Kitma. Standing from left: Inky De Dios (Kjwan), Ding dong Fiel (The Ding Dong Fiel Trio), Patrick Pulumbarit (Razorback-Mgr) Rommel ‘Sancho’ Sanchez, Buddy Zabala (The Dawn), Jason Conanan (Hidden Nikki), Inst Cervantes Mla Dir Carlos Madrid, Aaron Gonzales (Hidden Nikki), Japan Foundation Dir Shuji Takatori, Jett Pangan & Jun Boy Leonor of The Dawn. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
The Royal Thai Navy Traditional Ensemble will be providing the soundtrack for THE OVERTURE. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
For this year The Royal Thai Navy Traditional Ensemble will be providing the soundtrack for THE OVERTURE. The ensemble is often assigned for Royal & state ceremonies. The fest has always had a free entrance on a first come first served basis. So please do check schedules and fall in line at least an hour before screening to increase chances of attending this extraordinary treat.
Musicians from right: Martin Macalintal (The Executives Band), Aaron Gonzalez, Jason Conanan (Hidden Nikki), Jett Pangan, Jun Boy Leonor, Rommel Sanchez, Buddy Zabala (The Dawn), Inky De Dios (Kjwan), Ding Dong Fiel (The Ding Dong Fiel Trio) and Patrick Pulumbarit (Razorback–manager). Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
The 9 countries include [Aug 27] AUSTRIA- THE HANDS OF ORLAC with The Executives Band, [Aug 28] PHILIPPINES-BRIDES OF SULU with Kjwan, JAPAN-PEERLESS PATRIOT, FIGHTING FRIENDS JAPANESE STYLE, A STRAIGHTFORWARD BOY and A BUDDHIST MASS FOR GOEMON ISHIKAWA with Hidden Nikki, [Aug 29] THAILAND-THE OVERTURE with The Royal Thai Navy Traditional Ensemble, GERMANY-SYMPHONY OF A GREAT CITY with Pierre Oser & Big Jazz Balloon, SPAIN-DON JUAN TENORIO with The Ding Dong Fiel Trio, [Aug 30] FRANCE-THE CRAZY RAY with Ian Lofamia Blues Band and ITALY-THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII with The Dawn, USA- SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS with Razorback.
Royal Thai Emb Minister Counselor & Consul Somjai Taphaopong; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
Thailand- The Overture
The Overture (Hom Rong) while not strictly a silent film is a contemporary piece released in 2004. Having subtitles, color and modern production only adds to the ease of understanding the film for Pinoy viewers of today. The subject of two generations of Thai musicians who influenced the combination of traditional instruments with Western music lends itself to the silent film genre. As The Thai Royal Navy Traditional Ensemble will be flying in to score the film live using: saw duang (string instrument w bow), Grajabpi (lute), ranat ek (xylophone) and taphon (drum).
The Royal Thai Navy Traditional Ensemble will use Thai Musical Instruments; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
It also garnered the distinction of becoming the official selection for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language film. This is apart from winning Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and a host of other awards from the Thai National Film Association Awards, Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards and Star Entertainment Awards.
Sorn Silapabanleng was given the royal title of Luang Pradit Phairoh which translates to ‘inventor of beautiful sounds’. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
Sorn Silapabanleng during his time as a famous royal musician earned a title given by King Rama VI as Luang Pradit Phairoh. The title Luang is similar to ‘Sir’ as knighted by the Queen of England in the field of music. Pradit Phairoh translates to ‘inventor of beautiful sounds’.
Thai Natl Artist Prasidh Silapabanleng and wife Ladda Saratayon Silapabanleng established the Phakavali Institute of Dance and Music. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
The story deals with his humble beginnings learning the traditional Thai instrument ranad-ek or wooden xylophone. Later on Sorn’s son Prasidh Silapabanleng would master the piano. The two would collaborate in combining Thai instruments with Western music. Eventually Prasidh would compose symphonies entitled: Siang Tian, Damnoen Sigh, Siamese Suite, and Cherd Nai, all adaptations of Luang Pradit Phairoh’s original works.
Thai Natl Artist Prasidh Silapabanleng; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
According to an article in the Bangkok Post ‘it was Siamese Suite that put Prasidh at the forefront of composers of his time.’ What makes it even more interesting is that the seminal work debuted in Manila. It was the National Symphony Orchestra of the Philippines who had the honor of playing it for the first time and was recorded for Thai audiences back home. The debut was because of an invitation to Prasidh to participate in a UNESCO Music conference held here in 1954.
from right: Japan Foundation Dir Shuji Takatori, Royal Thai Emb Minister Counselor & Consul Somjai Taphaopong, Inst Cervantes Mla Dir Carlos Madrid, PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca, Austrian Cultural Attaché Lisbeth Strohmeier , U.S. Emb Asst. Cultural Affairs Officer Elizabeth Liu, French Audio-Visual Attaché Martin Macalintal, Goethe-Inst Phil Prog Coordinator Shadin Kitma & FDCP Proj Dev. officer Quintin Cu-Unjieng. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Jason Conanan and Aaron Gonzalez of Hidden Nikki. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
Japan- Silent Film Comedies
The Japan Foundation on the other hand has concentrated on what may be the best collection of slapstick comedies of the time: Kokushi Muso (PEERLESS PATRIOT) by Mansaku Itami, Ishikawa Goemon No Hoji (A BUDDHIST MASS FOR GOEMON ISHIKAWA) by Torajiro Saito and Yasojiro Ozu’s two comedies: Wasei Kenka Tomodachi (FIGHTING FRIENDS JAPANESE STYLE), Tokkan Kozo (A STRAIGHTFORWARD BOY). The average running time of each short film is 20 minutes.
Watch Kokushi Muso (PEERLESS PATRIOT) by Mansaku Itami, with live scoring by Hidden Nikki on August 28, 2015 (730pm) at Shang Cineplex for free. Make sure to go an hour early for tickets given on first come first served basis.
Director Torajiro Saito is one of the most popular and prolific filmmakers of the era having more than 200 titles to his credit. Japan Foundation director Shuji Takatori noted that his films were so popular all over Japan they were projected countless times and was so in demand most were never returned to the company/studio Shochiku Co, Ltd. For his success in slapstick Saito was called ‘God of Comedy’. Takatori added, “We selected these films in cooperation with the National Film Center, The National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo and Shochiku Co, Ltd.”
Japan Foundation Dir Shuji Takatori; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
Yasojiro Ozu is considered not just one of the best directors from the silent era but of all time. Ozu’s TOKYO STORY has appeared several times in the Sight & Sound poll of best films selected by critics and directors. In 2012, it topped the poll of film directors’ choices of “greatest film of all time”.
Watch Wasei Kenka Tomodachi (FIGHTING FRIENDS JAPANESE STYLE) by Yasojiro Ozu with live scoring by Hidden Nikki on August 28, 2015 (730pm) at Shang Cineplex for free. Make sure to go an hour early for tickets given on first come first served basis.
Ozu is almost like a Van Gogh–like figure whose work was appreciated and recognized only after he had passed away. According to wikipedia: at age 13 used to skip classes to watch screenings like QUO VADIS! and THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII by Mario Casreini.
Watch The Last Days of Pompeii by Mario Caserini with live scoring by The Dawn on Aug 30, 2015-5pm, Shang Cineplex Shang Rila Plaza. Make sure to go an hour early for tickets given on first come first served basis.
Incidentally, the Italian film exhibition for this year’s silent film fest is THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII with The Dawn providing the live soundtrack. In the same bio, Ozu at age 17 was kicked out of a dormitory for writing a love letter to a boy. Throughout his life he struggled against some sort of prejudice, was conscripted to becoming a soldier. He passed away at 63 and was buried beside his mother with the epitaph, “Nothingness”.
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The Dawn from left: Buddy Zabala (bass), Rommel ‘Sancho’ Sanchez (guitars), Jett Pangan (vocals) and Jun Boy Leonor (drums). Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
from right: PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca and Austrian Cultural Attaché Lisbeth Strohmeier; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from left: Goethe-Inst Phil Prog Coordinator Shadin Kitma, Japan Foundation Prog Coordinator Cyril Constantino, Martin Macalintal (The Executives Band), Writer Claire Agbayani, Shang Plaza Mktg Mgr MJ Mendoza & Japan Foundation Proj Coordinator Roland Samson. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
Watch Tokkan Kozo (A STRAIGHTFORWARD BOY) by Yasojiro Ozu with live scoring by Hidden Nikki on August 28, 2015 (730pm) at Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza for free. Make sure to go an hour early for tickets given on first come first served basis.
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Shang Plaza Mktg Mgr MJ Mendoza; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Alvin Rodriguez, Buddy Zabala, PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca, Music Mgr Liza Nakpil & Jun Boy Leonor. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Hidden Nikki will be providing music for JAPAN-PEERLESS PATRIOT, FIGHTING FRIENDS JAPANESE STYLE, A STRAIGHTFORWARD BOY and A BUDDHIST MASS FOR GOEMON ISHIKAWA. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early.
from right: Japan Foundation Dir Shuji Takatori, Royal Thai Emb Minister Counselor & Consul Somjai Taphaopong and Inst Cervantes Mla Dir Carlos Madrid. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Claire Agbayani with The Dawn from left: Rommel ‘Sancho’ Sanchez and Buddy Zabala. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Shang Plaza Mktg Mgr MJ Mendoza & Japan Foundation Proj Coordinator Roland Samson. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Tickets will be given on a first come first served basis so check out schedules and make sure to go early. Photo by Jude Bautista
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The musical theme of THE OVERTURE from Thailand lends itself well to the 9th Silent film Festival. Watch it for free on August 29, 2015- 1pm, Shang Cineplex, Shang Plaza. Make sure to go an hour early for tickets given on first come first served basis.
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http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ , http://judebautista.wordpress.com/
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