THE PHILIPPINE cinema is indeed world-class.
This is evident in the simultaneous showing of some of them in many parts of the world these past few days and in the immediate future.
After its successful successive premieres, the restored versions of Regal Films’ “Sister Stella L” which was presented with its original title, “Sangandaan” and Korporasyong CineManila/ CineManila Corporation’s “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (Weighed But Found Wanting),” directed by Mike de Leon and Lino Brocka, respectively, are currently showing at the Cinema Ritrivato XL Italy.
The eventful screenings were witnessed by two Filipino film lovers, archivists and historians, Julian Eudela and Leo Katigbak, both representing the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Being in Italy to screen Philippine cinema masterpieces however from the Golden Age of the industry isn’t a walk in the park for both Eudela and Katigbak because it was and still is a big responsibility not only to the local film art and business but to the whole nation as well.
According to Leo, the premiere showing of the restored version of “Sister Stella L” was a success and his collaboration and coordination with world film professionals were for the books.
“Mike de Leon’s restored SANGANGDAAN [known locally as SISTER STELLA L] premiered in IL CINEMA RITRIVATO XL to a full crowd. People were still coming in as we started the introductions. My colleague Julian from PFA and I arrived early at Europa Cinema to meet with Mikaela who would act as interpreter. I had the full script I wrote memorized so it was just easier to give her a copy beforehand so she could reference it as I did not deviate from what I had written.
Ritrovata’s Davide Pozzi was on hand as well to discuss our 2 other events and soon other industry friends would be among the audience: Kani’s Pearl Chan and Ariel Cayer, Markus Roff of Berlin’s Arsenal Filminstitut, JAGUAR colorist Isabelle Barriere, Pauline Soh from the National Gallery of Singapore, Vincent Paul-Boncour of Carlotta, and quite a few more. Others like French Screenwriter Phillipe LeGuay, Critic and Film historian Jean Michel Frodn, film director/ screenwriter/ curator Mitra Farahani, etc. will try to catch the 2nd screening as we received comments that all seats for today were already booked early on and there was not an empty seat as the movie started [SRO is not allowed].
I was pleasantly surprised at the reactions to the dialogue and the warm applause that greeted the end of the screening as the credits rolled. I think Mike, Vilma, Roselle, Keith and Mother Lily would all be very happy with the reception,” noted Leo in his social media spaces.
Luckily, the audience was treated to a special discussion about Mike as a filmmaker with an audio-visual tribute, “In Memory of Mike de Leon,” to the seminal movie master which was introduced to the panel by Katigbak.
In his Facebook posts, Julian described the symposium as a very warm event. “Earlier today at the Mike de Leon Tribute at DAMS Lab with Josh Siegel of MoMA, Vincent Paul-Boncour of Carlotta and me talking about our interactions with Mike through the years. Attendees were majority industry people from festivals, archives, restoration and cinema,” announced Eudela.
After the forum, Eudela and Katigbak had a memorable encounter with global film experts. “Squeezed in a lunch meeting with Kani’s Pearl Chan after the Mike tribute this morning. Enjoying more Italian goodness in Bologna,” quipped Julian.
De Leon’s opus which was produced by the late Lily Monteverde about the awakening of a nun (Sister Stella Legaspi portrayed by Vilma Santos) to socio-political realities outside the convent and how these events shaped her outlook in life not only as a religious but as a common man as well was restored by the FDCP’s Philippine Film Archive and L’Immagine Ritrovata.
Meanwhile, Brocka’s “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (Weighed But Found Wanting” which was done ten years before “Sister Stella L” was premiered the following day.
“Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang” is about a small community in the Philippines seen through the eyes of the son, Junior (Christopher de Leon) of the mayor (Eddie Garcia) who impregnated and forced an abortion on a woman who became mentally deranged Kuala (Lolita Rodriguez) and Berto, a leper (Mario O’Hara) live as outsiders in the cemetery while the rest of the quotidian in the town experience the dialectics of life forged in the death of two outcasts while the son takes pride in clasping the infant born to Kuala and Berto as a symbol of hope and acceptance.
The 4k restored edition of Lino’s masterpiece was introduced by Katigbak as well and Vincent Paul-Boncour of Carlotta Films to a full house.
“People waiting in line outside for last-minute tickets,” said Eudela in his multimedia announcements.
Meanwhile, at the Cinema Modernissimo, Julian and Leo had discovered a proud tribute to Brocka. “Nadiscover lang namin, but merong seat dito sa (We just accidentally discovered that there’s a sear here at) Cinema Modernissimo named after Lino Brocka, it is next to Robert Bresson and Robert J. Flaherty in the same line as Ingmar Bergman,” Eudela happily announced.
According to Julian, “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (Weighed But Found Wanting)” must not be missed not only back home but in the world cinema as well particularly in Italy. “Don’t miss this Philippine New Wave founding film,” he exclaimed.
Meanwhile, the Filipino animation “Zsazsa Zatrunnah” finally, officially premiered in France.
According to the FDCP Facebook: “After 6 years of dedication and hard work, Avid Liongoren’s Zsazsa Zaturnnah officially premieres at the Marché International du Film d’Animation (MIFA) under the Midnight Specials section, earning a standing ovation.
“Selected for the Work-in-Progress section at Annecy Festival MIFA in 2025, the film now returns to the same stage as a completed feature, ready to share the adventures of Ada, a.k.a. Zsazsa Zaturnnah, with international audiences.
“Congratulations to the entire team on this milestone. We look forward to seeing the film light up more screens, both in the Philippines and around the world.”
“Zsazsa Zaturnnah” is also an official entry to the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) Bucheon Features, main international derby and will be shown at the Asian biggest genre film event on July 2 to 12, 2026.
The first Filipino-Australian co-production “First Light” which starred internationally acclaimed actress Ruby Ruiz was screened at international film festivals in Melbourne, Marrakech, Rotterdam and Shanghai.
It premiered recently at Cinematheque Centre Manila which saw the attendance of director James J. Robinson, producers Christelle Lou Dychangco, Mary Jane Pe Aguirre, Gabrielle Pearson, executive producer Anthony Robinson and creative producer Emmanuel Santos.
The celebration was also joined in by Soliman Cruz, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano and Ruiz which FDCP said marked the film’s homecoming with their presence.
The renowned film is set for its Philippine theatrical release today, June 24, 2026.
Meanwhile, Lav Diaz’s latest work “Magellan” about the discovery of the Philippines by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is showing in Portugal, according to one of its stars, Bong Cabrera.
“Magellan” was entirely shot in Sampaloc, Quezon with international and Hollywood actor Gael Garcia Bernal as the titular lead.