03 April 2024.In coordination with the Philippine Embassy’s promotion of Philippines studies in France, the Instituts d'études politiques (SciencesPo) in Paris screened Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) by Lino Brocka, Philippine National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, on 29 March 2024 at L'Entrepôt cinema in Paris. Filipino and French students and film enthusiasts attended the film screening.
SciencesPo Paris screens Lino Brocka’s 1975 masterpiece entitled Manille (in French).
Prof. Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Jr., a multi-awarded author and screenplay writer, led an interactive discussion after the screening, having been one of Lino Brocka’s scriptwriters. He described the nostalgia evoked by watching the film again after almost 50 years given its relevance to the country’s historical and sociopolitical narratives, and the familiar actors in the film who were in the prime of youth during the 70’s.
Prof. Jose Dalisay recounts working with national artist and director Lino Brocka in an interactive discussion with the audience.
A brief soirée followed the screening where guest students, most of whom were not born yet when the film was made, personally interacted with Prof. Dalisay and with Philippine Ambassador to France Junever Mahilum-West who also attended the screening. The soirée also featured Philippine-flavored macarons — ube, kalamansi, durian, and pandan — from Jem’s Patisserie.
Earlier, Prof. Dalisay, together with Ms. Criselda Yabes, a critically acclaimed France-based author, graced the Philippine Embassy’s National Literature Month (NLM) commemoration through the reading of their celebrated works in line with the NLM theme “Ang Panitikan at Kapayapaan”.
The film screening, lectures, and reading marking National Literature Month 2024 showcased the rich heritage of Philippine literature and cinema.
H.E. Junever Mahilum-West (2nd row, center right) with Prof. Butch Dalisay and Ms. June Dalisay (2nd row, center left) with the student audience during the film screening led by of SciencesPo’s Ms. Pauline Couteau (not in photo).
The Philippine Embassy in France remains committed to deepening and expanding its ties with French academic institutions in advancing understanding of Philippine studies.
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