The 11th edition of the International Silent Film Festival Manila promises unique experiences all-around for film fans

Film fans who are tired of the same old offerings in the cinema will have something to look forward to by the end of August. The International Silent Film Festival Manila is once again bringing nine forgotten and expetimental gems of international cinema for a limited run at the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City.

The format of the International Silent Film Festival Manila will stay true to the exercise of the olden days, wherein silent films are accompanied by live music. Here’s what’s showing and who’s playing in the upcoming festival:

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August 31, 8 PM: Instituto Cervantes will present the classic action comedy El Golfo (1918) by José de Togores. The film tells the story of Enrique Villar, a tramp, who goes through much trouble to win the heart of his lady love. The rock band Talahib will accompany this film with a live performance.

September 1, 7:30 PM: The British Council will show the recently digitally restored film Underground (1928), directed by Anthony Asquith. This silent romance that reveals 1920s London life in the underground tube system. A live musical performance by dub band Goodleaf will accompany the film.

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September 1, 9:30 PM: The Embassy of France will present the drama L’Inhumaine  or The New Enchantment (1923), directed by Marcel L’Herbier. The film will be scored by the French-Vietnamese harpist Heloïse LaHarpe, assisted by Ryan Villamor on piano and synthesizer,  and Aldous Castro on percussion and handpans.

September 2, 3 PM: Philippine Italian Association together with the Embassy of Italy will screen the world premiere of an experimental silent film by Filipino-Italian director Ruben Maria Soriquez: Una Famiglia Perfetta or A Perfect Family (2017). The movie will be live scored by the instrumental rock trio Tom's Story.

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September 2, 5:30 PM: The Japan Foundation, Manila will feature Hijosen no Onna or Dragnet Girl (1933) by Yasujiro Ozu, with a rare performance by Ichiro Kataoka, a noted benshi or silent film narrator/actor/storyteller from Japan, who will provide a live interpretation of the silent film. The screening and narration will be accompanied by The Celso Espejo Rondalla, a group which plays Filipino music on traditional native string instruments.

September 2, 8 PM: It’s the Philippines’ turn with Gym Lumbera's 2-person drama Taglish (2012), which started as a damaged film entitled Tagalog, then English, and finally the present title Taglish. The film will be accompanied by the stoner-metal quartet Kapitan Kulam.

September 3, 3 PM: The Embassy of Austria will feature Cafè Elektric (1927) directed by Gustav Ucicky. Café Elektric was the last film made and released by Sascha-Film, the first major film studio in Vienna. The live score will be played by Rivermaya.

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September 3, 5:30 PM: Goethe-Institut Philippinen will screen one of silent cinema’s masterworks, Pandora's Box (1929), by George Wilhelm Pabst. Based on the controversial plays of Frank Wedekind, the film features the dazzling Louise Brooks in her classic bobbed hairstyle as Lulu. Pandora’s Box will be accompanied by the band Sandwich, fronted by Raymund Marasigan.

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September 3, 8 PM: Closing the festival will be the U.S. Embassy's screening of one of the most-revered comedies of the silent era, The General (1926). Co-directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton, the film stars the iconic Keaton as an ill-fated railroad engineer. The film will be scored by a 6-man band of veteran musicians --exponents of Motown, Stax, Funk, Blues and soul -- the Flippin Soul Stompers.