News

The term bomba in Philippine cinema refers to a genre of films that emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s, characterized by erotic and sexually suggestive themes. The word bomba (meaning “bomb” in Spanish) became a euphemism for movies that featured nudity, sensuality, and adult themes—often pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable at the time, through a mix of soft- and hardcore elements. The genre flourished during the Marcos era, particularly in the early 1970s, when censorship laws were relaxed. Despite their provocative nature, many bomba films incorporated social commentary, addressing themes of poverty, corruption, and oppression.

Bomba Bernal is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam

Khavn once more comes up with a bold experiment who assembles a striking collage of archival bomba film clips (both soft and hardcore), a voiceover generated using AI from the writings of Ishmael Bernal, and narration from Khavn himself and his wife and producer Achinette Villamor.

Despite his rather extreme approach, Khavn’s majority of feature films are both political and socially conscious. “Desaparadiso”, which premiered in the 44th edition of Rotterdam, does not stray away from this rule, since it deals with the dark period of the Marcos regime in the Philippines (1972-1986) and particularly the many disappearances of citizens that took place during his time, some of which ended up in prison getting tortured, while many others were never found.

The film is split in three parts, with the last two following (somewhat) the “Ibong Adarna“, the 16th-century Filipino epic poem. The first part presents footage from the period and the events that took place under piano music. After a bit, the music changes to reggae, and the footage to that of scenes of movies from the era, with the combination highlighting the circumstances of the era quite clearly.

The second part, which is in black-and-white,...

“Across Asia Film Festival 2018. Ghosts of Asia”

Cagliari, Italy – from 2 to 10 December 2018

Across Asia, the International Festival dedicated to explore the cinematography of South East Asia – and this year focusing on Thailand e Philippine – is back on the beautiful island of Sardinia and is promising International and Italian Premieres, screenings, masterclasses, workshops and parties all over the city of Cagliari.

Stefano Galanti and Maria Paola Zedda are the creators and the artistic directors of Across Asia Film Festival that is a young festival, focused on most interesting languages of recent cinematographic production from Asia, with the goal of promoting the encounter between Italian and foreign communities and developing cultural exchanges.

Across Asia’s mission is to become a window on the world, a different and unconventional way to look at the Asiatic continent and its representations, away from the standard and usual mainstream view.

The programme includes many Italian premieres...

Bruce Beresford, nominated for Achievement in Directing at the Apsa Awards, on the set of ‘Ladies in Black’. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing).

Four Australian films – Ladies in Black, Gurrumul, Breath and Mary Magdalene – have received nominations for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, to be held in Brisbane in November.

Overall, 46 films from 22 countries have been nominated for the awards, which celebrate films from the region.

The Palme d’Or winning Shoplifters, from Japanese auteur Kore-eda Hirokazu, is the only film to receive three nominations, including Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay and Achievement in Directing. It will compete for Best Feature Film against Burning (Korea), The Gentle Indifference of the World, Balangiga: Howling Wilderness (Philippines) and Manta Ray.

Competing against Kore-eda for the directing award is Australia’s Bruce Beresford, nominated for his work on 1960s comedy drama Ladies in Black. Also up in the category are Nadine Labaki...