The multi-awarded Kapampangan indie film ‘Ari: My Life with a King’ is set for a free screening at the National Museum on August 25 to 28.
“The Director of the National Museum, Jeremy Barns, invited our film to be the highlight of the National Languages Month,” said Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) President Robert Tantingco, a Gawad Urian 2016 Best Screenplay awardee.
In his letter, Dr. Barnes said, “The National Museum would like to honor individuals and institutions contributing to the promotion and preservation of the Philippine languages in general and particularly the Kapampangan language.”
‘Ari: My Life with a King’ is scheduled for the following screening: 10:30am to 12pm; 2:00pm to 3:30pm at the Ayala Room, 2nd floor of National Museum of Anthropology.
‘Ari: My Life with a King’ is a locally produced full-length film directed by HAU student Carlo Enciso Catu in 2015 which aims to preserve and promote local cultures and regional languages.
The story evolves on a boy portrayed by Ronwaldo Martin (actor Coco Martin’s younger brother) who doesn’t know or want to speak in Kapampangan, until he runs into a compelling but weird character known as the king of Kapampangan poets named Conrado, played by Kapampangan poet Francisco Guinto.
Nominations and awards
Gawad Urian 2016
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula)- Robby Tantingco
Best Music (Pinakamahusay na Musika)- Jake Abella
Nominations:
Gawad Urian Award Best Picture (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula)
Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon)- Carlo Catu
Best Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktor)-Francisco Guinto
Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)-Cecile Yumul
Best Editing (Pinakamahusay na Editing)-Carlo Francisco Manatad
Best Sound (Pinakamahusay na Tunog)- Gilbert Obispo
Houston International Film Festival Bronze Remi Award 2016
London International Filmmakers Festival of World Cinema 2016, Talented New Director
Nominations:
Best Foreign-Language Film
Best Actor – Ronwaldo martin
Best Screenplay – Robby Tantingco
Best Editor Carlo – Francisco Manatad
Young Critics Circle, Philippines 2016
Best First Feature- Carlo Catu
Nominations:
Best Screenplay-Robby Tantingco
Best Film-Carlo Catu
Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role- Ronwaldo Martin
Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration-Gilbert Obispo (sound) and Jake Abella (music)
Nice, France International Filmmakers Festival 2016
Nominations:
Jury Award
Best Foreign Language Film
Best Director Carlo Catu
Best Cinematography Carlo Mendoza
Best Editor Carlo Manatad
PinakaPasadong Pelikula sa Paggamit ng Wika at Kamalayang Pangkultural winner, Gawad PASADO 2016
Harlem International Film Festival 2015, Best World Film
All Lights India International Film Festival 2015 Best Debut Director- Carlo Catu
Metro Manila Film Festival 2015
Festival Prize New Wave Best Feature Film
New Wave Best Actor- Francisco Guinto
New Wave Best Screenplay-Robby Tantingco
Manila Bulletin Entertainment Best Picture
Nominations:
Festival Prize New Wave Best Supporting Actress- Cecile Yumul
New Wave Best Director- Carlo Catu
Screenings
Last August 9, the film ‘Ari: My Life with a King’ was screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as part of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
“Bravo! Pinaiyak niyo ako. Madalas akong magwalk out sa mga films pero pinaiyak ako ng Ari. Tumulo ang luha ko sa Atin Cu pung Singsing,!” exclaimed TV Director cum painter Louie Ignacio after watching the film.
Highlighting the culminating activity of the Ikatlong Pagtitipon ng Kalipunan ng Nagkakaisang Guro ng Araling Panlipunan (Kalinangan, Inc.)., ‘Ari: My Life with a King’ will be shown at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) at 10:15 a.m. at the NHCP Multi-Purpose Hall on August 29.
On September 15 to 25, ‘Ari: My Life with a King’, the lone Philippine film among 13 others in Asia will be screening at the Fukuoka International Film Festival in Japan.