Six PH films headline 17th New York Asian Film Festival

At the talk-back following the screening of Buy Bustduring the closing night of the New York Asian Film Festival are director Erik Matti (secondfrom Left) and cast of Buy Bust, Anne Curtis and Brandon Vera (secondand first from Right, respectively). Deputy Director of NYAFF Stephen Cremin facilitated the Talk Back. CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK – Six Philippine films showcasing the talent of Filipino filmmakers and artists headlined the 17th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) held at Lincoln Center and the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, from 29 June to July 15.

New York film enthusiasts and the Filipino American community, including Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, were on hand during the five nights that featured the Filipino films, to enjoy the movies and to meet the filmmakers and artists who shared their unique vision with the public.

This year, the Philippines had the largest line up at the Festival since 2013. The films shown included We Will Not Die Tonightdirected by Richard Somes; Neomaniladirected by Mikhail Red;On the Jobdirected by Erik Matti; Respetodirected by Treb Montreras II; Sid and Aya (Not a Love Story)directed by Irene Emma Villamor and Buy Bust directed by Erik Matti.

The hip-hop film Respeto(2017) bagged the festival’s Tiger Unleashed Award for Best Feature Film. During the talk-back was attended by the whole cast, Corren Jimenez revealed that the film was shot and finished in only three months, but the storyline was conceived by rapper-director Treb Montreras 7 years ago. The film was also the first ever of hip-hop artist Abra.

Buy Bust,which stars Anne Curtis and Brandon Vera, was the festival’s closing night feature and also the film’s world premiere. Director Erik Matti said the story was developed during the filming of On the Joband added that Buy Bustwas 2 years in the making.

Stephen Cremin, Deputy Director of NYAFF, led the talk-back of the featured Filipino films on July 14 and 15.