The Japan Foundation Asia Center and the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) jointly launched "CROSSCUT ASIA" last year, showcasing Asian films focusing on particular countries, directors, actors and themes. This year, we will focus on Philippine films as our second project.

http://2015.tiff-jp.net/en/press/pressrelease.html

As the second in the CROSSCUT ASIA series - which began with a special program on Thai cinema in the previous year - the Japan Foundation Asia Center and TIFF are turning their attention to the cinema of the Philippines. Renowned around the world, Philippine cinema boasts a rich history and is now in a *"Third Golden Age." This year's CROSSCUT ASIA features a noteworthy lineup, including a special program of the works of director Brillante Ma. Mendoza, who is known for his film "Kinatay" which won Best Director award at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His new film "TAKLUB" has been selected in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

The 28th TIFF will take place October 22-31, 2015 at Roppongi Hills and other venues in Tokyo.

Brillante Ma. Mendoza is a living national treasure of Philippine independent cinema. He is one of the most prominent Filipino filmmakers today. He is the first Filipino to compete and won at three major international film festivals, showing authentic Filipino stories to the world. His film, "Captive," competed at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2012, while "Tirador (Slingshot)" won the Caligari Film Award in 2007 of the same festival. "Thy Womb" won the La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award in the equally prestigious Venice Film Festival in 2012, while "Lola" was selected in competition at the same festival in 2009. But his most notable achievement came when he won the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his film "Kinatay" in 2009. The year before, his film, "Serbis (Service)," was selected in competition at the same festival. Known to his peers as "Dante," he started his career as a production designer in various films and television advertisements. In 2005, he founded Center Stage Productions (CSP), an independent film production outfit that aims to rethink and reinvent Filipino cinema by producing meaningful and relevant films. His debut film, "Masahista (The Masseur)" won the Golden Leopard Award at the 2005 Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland and paved the way for the rise of Alternative Cinema in the Philippines.

A message from Director Brillante Ma. Mendoza:

"I am delighted to be a part of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival where my film as well as other works from the Philippines (will be shown). The Tokyo International Film Festival is a great occasion for everyone as it showcases not only movies from the Philippines but a variety of works from around the globe that are not available at everyday cinemas. I hope everyone will have a chance to appreciate these works."

CROSSCUT ASIA

CROSSCUT ASIA is a showcase of Asian films focusing on particular countries, directors, actors and themes. This unveils hidden gems of Asian films that portray modern Asia.