33rd Asian American International Film Festival Showcases

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‘Himpapawid,’ ‘Mountain Thief ‘and ‘The Arrival’ take centerstage in NYC fest.



NEW YORK —When Asian CineVision (ACV) announced last month the 24 feature films selected to screen at the 33rd Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF10), focus shifted on the three feature films from the Philippines: Raymond Red’s Himpapawid (Manila Skies), Gerry Balasta’s Mountain Thief and Erik Matti’s The Arrival.

The festival celebrates and showcases the latest works by filmmakers of Asian descent, as well as films that explore themes and issues prevalent to the Asian community. This year, the AAIFF10 feature film line-up includes selections from both a national and international pool of filmmakers.

"The Filipino film industry is one of the fastest growing in Asia," states Martha Tien, Program Manager of the AAIFF10. "We are proud to present Raymond Red’s critically acclaimed Manila Skies, as well as other excellent works that demonstrates the growing influence of the Philippines’ cinematic community."



Renowned Filipino director Raymond Red’s Manila Skies (Himpapawid) screened as the AAIFF10’s Opening Night Presentation at Chelsea Clearview Cinema last July 15. The filmmaker was in attendance after the screening for a special Q+A session. Red is the first Filipino filmmaker to have won the Palme d’Or in Cannes for his 2000 short film Anino.

Other Filipino features includes Gerry Balasta’s Mountain Thief, a dramatic narrative that casts residents from the village of Little Hope, and Erik Matti’s The Arrival, the story of a jaded man who decides to search for the mysterious woman appears in his reoccurring dreams. Mountain Thief will screen on July 19 at 9pm at Chelsea Clearview Cinema while Matti’s The Arrival will screen on July 17 at 1pm at the Quad Cinemas. Short films by Filipino filmmakers include Christina Rubenstein’s Unrest and Roberto Reyes Ang’s Letters From Alaska.

The three full feature films represent the Philippines’ new social realist cinema and dwell on poverty and various social inequities that continue to plague the country to this very day.