Now on its 13th year, the Israeli Film Festival highlights the historical bond between the Philippines and Israel.
Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Briccio Santos lauded the Israel Embassy for its 13th successful year in bringing contemporary Israeli cinema to the Filipino people.
“This year marks the partnership between the Embassy of Israel and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in presenting the Israeli Film Festival through our Film Cultural Exchange Program. FDCP is honored to be a partner in strengthening our shared history,” Santos said in his message during the Film Festival opening, Nov. 4.
With the theme “laughter from the holy land,” the 13th Israeli Film Festival will feature eight films of hilarious yet heart-warming comedy.
Santos said the historical bond between the Philippines and Israel dates back from the announcement of then Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon to welcome over 1,000 Jewish refugees to the Philippines before World War II. He added that the historical relations continued when the Philippines voted in favor of the United Nations Resolution which established the state of Israel.
“Your country has honored us by erecting in Tel Aviv an open-door monument acknowledging our contribution to the Jewish people. Through our partnership, let us continue to explore and strengthen this bond,” Santos said.
“It is note-worthy that heart-warming humor is given focus in this year’s edition. As like cinema, it is a universal language, humor has the power to reveal commonalities and shared humanity among different cultures,” he added.
Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau said the Film Festival has two highlights: the screening of “Hunting Elephants” which reflects the growing maturity and sophistication of Israeli cinema; and “The Big Dig,” the first big comedy film produced in 1969 which reflects the naïve early years of Israeli cinema.
The Ambassador noted that the Israeli cinema reflects a young nation which is also a very old people. “There were those early years of our cinema when everything was patriotic and very serious. Slowly we started to find a sense of humor. In the best tradition of the Jewish society, we are well-known as a people who have a history of introspective and critical humor,” he said.
After the launch of the 13th Israeli Film Festival in Manila, Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Michael Levene opened the extended run of the film festival in Baguio, Nov. 11. Levene said the annual film festival is an important part of the Embassy's cultural program.
For the first time, the Israeli Film Festival traveled outside Manila, starting with Baguio, then to Iloilo, and down south to Davao and Zamboanga in the FDCP cinematheques. Admission is free.