Culture

In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), we wish to invite everyone to the 2017 ASEAN Film Festival, which will be held from 27 March to 7 April 2017 at Cinema (Room XIV), 1/F, Building A (Door 17) of the Palais des Nations. The films will screen at 12:30 p.m. everyday.

ASEAN Film Festival Opening Ceremony, 27 March, 11:45 a.m.

On Monday, 27 March 2017, the ASEAN Film Festival will have its opening ceremony prior to the screening of “Boses” (Voice), the Philippine film.

A light reception will be held at 11:45 a.m. in front of the cinema.

Due to limited seating, those who do not hold a UN ground badge are kindly requested to register atacg2017@genevapm.ph indicating the movies they would like to attend 48 hours before the screening. Please bring a photo identification with you. No parking available for non-accredited vehicles. (Palais des Nations – 8-14 Avenue de la Paix, Geneva 10. Entry: Pregny Gate)

We hope you can come and join us.

Sincerely,

Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva

47 Avenue Blanc, Geneva, Switzerland

Telephone No: 41 22 716 19 30

Movie Titles Synopsis
Boses

(Voice, 2008)

Philippines

The movie is about a violinist named Ariel who offered violin lessons to Onyok, a child abused and traumatized by his father causing him to become mute. Through music, Ariel and Onyok develop a friendship and, in the process, Ariel realizes Onyok’s potential and talent for playing the violin.

The movie garnered twenty-three (23) nominations from various Philippine-based film festivals and film awarding bodies, such as the 2008 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and the 2009 Gawad Urian Awards. It also won eight (8) awards in the 2009 Philippine Golden Screen Awards, and 2009 Philippine Star Awards for Movies.

Cahaya dari Timur: Beta Maluku

(We are Moluccans,2014)

Indonesia

Sani Tawainella (Chicco Jericho) would like to save the children in the village of sectarian fighting in Ambon through football. In the midst of life’s difficulties as well as the choice between family or football team, Sani was assigned to bring his team to represent the Moluccans in the national championship. But the decision to mix children of different religions in one team caused a split and gave challenges for the team to win.

In the 2015 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards, this film was nominated for the categories Best Film, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. This film won Best Film and Best Leading Actor in the 2015 Indonesian Film Festival; Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Young Performer, Best Original Screenplay, Best Theme Song, and Best Film Score in the 2014 Maya Awards. In the 2014 Indonesian Maya Awards, it won Best Feature Film among other awards in other categories.

Adam Eve Datsa (2011)

Myanmar

As a diligent businessman, Min Htin Si never has time for his girlfriend, Ngwe La Thar, or for anything else. Mostly angry and cranky, he is generally feared by his staff and his girlfriend. His anger, however, stems from longstanding family issues that have not been resolved even after his father’s death. He places blame on his mother’s ex-boyfriend, U Myat Zan Oo, who still is in friendly terms with his mother despite the family feuds and problems. Driven by desire to avenge his father’s death, Min Htin Si aspires to make U Myat Zan Oo suffer the way he did. However, fate took a turn when he met Moe Thout Kyal, a man Ngwe La Thar befriended. Min Htin Si, clouded by rage and resentment, did not realize how far he was from the truth until it was too late.

This film won three (3) awards in the Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards in 2012.

My Magic

Singapore

The movie, by award winning Singaporean director Eric Khoo, addresses the themes of love, family ties, life, redemption and magic. The story centres on Francis, a former magician who ekes out a living as a cleaner in a nightclub and who often takes solace in the bottle. He hopes to redeem himself and win his 10-year old son’s love and respect which sees him take a painful and bizarre return to magic. But an unexpected incident one night sets the father and son on the road where they come to terms with their love. The film is in Tamil with English subtitles.

The movie was the first Singaporean film to be nominated for the top film award, the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 and was Singapore’s official entry for the Academy Awards in 2009. It also won the Grand Prix “Le Regard D’Or” at the Festival International de Films de Fribourg in 2009. It has also been screened at many international film festivals including the Montreal World Film Festival, Pusan International Film Festival, Ghent International Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival and Tokyo International Film Festival, among others.

Yellow Flower in Green Grass (2015)

Viet Nam

Set in Vietnam in 1989, this coming of age story explores the relationship between two brothers as they seek to uncover the truth about the myth of the princess of the enchanted forest and the man-eating white tiger that guards her. Victor Vu, a seasoned filmmaker who started his filmmaking career at Viet Film Fest, has made a cinematic marvel in Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass. He has created a glimpse into the beauty and serene environment of Vietnam through this film that not only captures the audience’s hearts right away, but also leaves them with warm feeling of joy at the end.

In 2015, the film won the best film award at the Silk Road International Film Festival in China and the Golden Lotus Award for best feature film at the 19th Viet Nam Film Festival.

Redha (Beautiful Pain, 2016)

Malaysia

Upon the discovery that their only son Daniel is autistic, Alina and Razlan’s world crumbles as they struggle to confront the challenges of raising a child disabled by a condition they hardly know about. Razlan’s inability to accept the truth causes friction within the family, but Alina’s perseverance and maternal instinct help the family through the difficult times raising Daniel. With her sister and a close friend, Alina may have found a way to improve Daniel’s quality of life, until a tragic accident befalls the family.

The film was awarded Best Film and Best Actor at Malaysia’s 2016 Anugerah Skrin. In 2016, the film also won awards at the Asian World Film Festival, World Premier Film Festival Philippines, LA Awareness Film Festival and Kazan International Festival of Muslim Cinema.

Yasmine (2014)

Brunei Darussalam

Love is never an easy matter, especially for Yasmine. The boy of her dreams, Adi, is back in town but hooks up with Dewi, her longtime rival. Tired of her school and tied up in an underdog silat club, she decides to take matters into her own hands and start leading the team. At first, Yasmine’s secret activities are well-hidden. However, when her father eventually finds out, he decides once and for all to save Yasmine from what he believes to be her downfall.

This is only the country’s third feature film. The first feature film was produced in 1968 and the second one in 2013. This movie was awarded Best Asian Movie at the 2014 Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival and Best Supporting Actress for Nadiah Wahid at the 2015 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards.

Only Love

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The movie is about a fresh university graduate who returns to his scenic village to help out modernize farming methods. This includes the gritty financial requirements of his impoverished neighbors. As a side story, it follows Souvanh (ThanongxayKeoviengsamai) as he rekindles his romantic relationship with childhood sweetheart Duoangchai (JilaphaPhompukdee). Unfortunately, Namphet, a spoiled brat, plots to derail Souvanh’s effort for the community and, in the process, take the girl away from Souvanh. It is rough around the edges, but the story is more of a social commentary about young minds affecting positive changes that benefit society.
Bakluon (Vanished)

Cambodia

Set in the heart of modern-day Phnom Penh, the movie tells the nerve-wracking story of radio show presenter Maly who deals with young Cambodians’ personal problems in a controversial nightly phone-in show. In quick succession, her co-host and producer are found dead. Maly is terrified that her own life is in danger, even under police protection. As threats mount and she feels increasingly at her wits’ end, the question for her and the audience is—will she crack before the murderer is caught? The movie deals with the questions of ‘trust’ and ‘youthful independence.’
Best of Times (2009)

Thailand

This movie is a romantic story about two couples, which show how even the brief encounters with true love can leave you with the most memorable lifelong memories. The movie, directed by Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, tells the story of Keng, a young veterinarian, who met an elderly couple, Jamras and Somphit, who are rediscovering romance late in life while giving computer classes to a group of seniors as part of a community service sentence. As Keng helps Jamras and Somphit with their problems, he learns from them and forms a relationship with his former school crush and friend’s ex-wife, Fai.

This movie has five nominations from the 2009 Tokyo International Film Festival and 2010 Thailand National Film Association Awards, and two awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Song from the 2010 Thailand National Film Association Awards.