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RADIKALS’ IN PARIS: FILIPINO SHORTFILM IN CANNES’ SEMAINE DE LA CRITIQUE

The Philippine Embassy in Paris received Radikals’ Cannes delegation in a courtesy call with Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West on 27 May 2024. Radikals is among the ten selected short films to compete for the Semaine de la Critique (Critic’s Week) at the Canne Film Festival in France.

Radikals Cannes delegation with the Philippine Ambassador to France.

Film director Arvin Belarmino, screenwriter Danelle Romero, and producers Kristine De Leon, Adnan Al Rajeev, and Tanveer Hossain discussed their recent experience of representing the Philippines at Cannes and opportunities to expand the recognition of Filipino films on the global stage. The team also elaborated on the themes of the film as it explores a unique subculture in the Philippines.

Radikals Cannes delegation discussed insights with the Philippine Ambassador to France.

Radikals features a unique traditional dance called bakte originating from Imus, Cavite. It portrays the use of dance as an art that connects eccentric minds. The plot follows a newbie from an eccentric dance group who faces a heckler after being the worst dancer at a performance. It then leads to a series of strange events that reveal what the group does to their weakest link.

This year, the Philippines is represented at Cannes by several films. Arvin Belarmino also co-directed with Lomorpich Rithy Silig which is among the 2024 shorts in the Directors' Factory at the Cannes Film Festival. Significantly, the prestigious festival also showcased this year the restored version of Lino Brocka’s 1980 masterpiece Bona which premiered at Cannes 43 years ago, starring National Artist for Film Nora Aunor.

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Praising the FIlipino community at the Mairie of St. Ouen Sur Seine (L-R): Philippine Police Attache Colonel Rodolfo Castro Jr., Mayor Karim Bouamran, Chargé d’affaires Eric Tamayo, Senator Phillipe Dallier, and Deputy Mayor Emna Sghaïer.

SAINT OUEN-SUR SEINE COMMUNE PRAISES FILIPINO BAYANIHAN SPIRIT

Officials of the commune of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine praised the Filipino community in the city, which forms part of the Métropole du Grand Paris, for their civic spirit and contribution to French society in a gathering before the Christmas holidays on 22 December 2023 at the Mairie of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine.

St. Ouen-sur-seine's dynamic Mayor Karim Bouamran, who also serves as Vice-President of the Departmental Council responsible for culture, praised the resident Filipino community’s contributions, particularly the efforts of Ms. Vivian Palma and her Share-a-Bread movement. Joining Mayor Bouamran in praise of the community was Deputy Mayor Emna Sghaïer - the 13th Deputy Delegate for Community Life, Veterans, Memory and Cemeteries, and newly elected Senator Philippe Dallier, representing Seine-Saint-Denis in the Île-de-France region. Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Eric Tamayo and Police Attaché Colonel Rodolfo Castro Jr. joined the tribute to the positive impact of migrant FIlipinos in France. The City and Embassy officials both expressed interest in pursuing twinning arrangements with a city in the Philippines.

Vivian Palma, a prominent figure in the community charity scene, has dedicated her life to alleviating hunger and providing support to those in need. Her steadfast commitment to making a difference has led to the establishment and success of the Share a Bread Foundation, which extends vital help to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

The Share a Bread Foundation has been instrumental in addressing the pressing issue of hunger through food drives, community meals, and partnerships with local businesses, thus making a tangible impact on the lives of those less fortunate, the elderly and retirees regardless of ethnicity.

The gathering hosted by St. Ouen-sur-seine's Mayor celebrates the outstanding work of Vivian Palma and the Share a Bread Foundation, encourages further collaboration and support for essential causes, and highlights the positive contribution of the Filipino community’s Bayanihan spirit in France.

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