Ayala Malls Cinema’s newest A-List series, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), drop an amazing curation of critically-acclaimed international titles for the World Cinema Festival which will run from August 23-29 in Ayala Malls Cinemas across Metro Manila and selected provinces.
The following are the films included in the aforementioned festival:
Return to Seoul
Newcomer Park Ji-Min, who won 2022’s Best New Performance at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, stars in this film as Freddie (Park) who makes an impulsive travel decision to visit friends in South Korea. Freddie returns to South Korea, where she was born, for the first time, before being adopted and raised in France, as she embarks on an unexpected journey in a country she knows so little about. We journey with her as she takes her life in new and unexpected directions.
Corsage
Corsage is a fictional account of one year in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Set during Christmas Eve of 1877, Elisabeth who was once idolized for her beauty, must grapple with the harsh truths that come in as she ages while still desperately trying to maintain her public image. Vicky Krieps, who won Best Performance at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, stars as the main character.
Close
The winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival (2022), Close is Lukas Dhont’s emotionally transformative second film that revolves around Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), two thirteen-year-old best friends whose seemingly unbreakable bond is suddenly and tragically torn apart. Close is an unforgettable portrait of the intersection of friendship and love, identity and independence, heartbreak and healing which is all incorporated in this beautiful coming-of-age tale.
Aftersun
Last but certainly not least is Aftersun, a BAFTA winner for Outstanding Debut by British Writer and Director Charlotte Wells. The film stars Paul Mescal whose work in the film earned him a nomination at this year’s Oscars while his co-star Frankie Corio received glowing reviews for her breakout role. Aftersun takes us through the lens of memories between father and daughter, Calum and Sophie, and at the center of it all, is the fading core memory of vacation. As the world of adolescence creeps into view, Calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood which has irrevocable damages and repercussions in both of their lives. It’s a simple tale that peeks into the mundane life but one done with absolute artistry and flair.
We were also invited for a special screening of Aftersun, tune into our review which will drop pretty soon.
How To Watch the World Cinema Festival Entries?
As mentioned, the World Cinema Festival will run from August 23-29, 2023, and is exclusive to select Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Here are the cinemas that you can check out:
- Manila Bay Cinema
- Greenbelt 3
- Trinoma
- Solenad
- Capitol Central
- Central Bloc
- Centrio Cinema
- Abreeza
- Harbor Point.
Admission prices at P250 in Metro Manila and P200 in provinces. You can also visit Ayala Malls Cinema’s website for more details regarding the Festival such as locations and screening times.
Ayala Malls Cinema website: https://www.ayalamalls.com/watch/all/now-showing
