Last bunch of pics

A few more photos before I get back to real life. Someone suggested I just put up a Multiply account but I couldn't figure it out. Besides I much prefer Blogger's simpler look.

THE 29TH THREE CONTINENTS FESTIVAL
Our workshop, the Produire Au Sud, is one of the events of the main Three Continents Film Festival, featuring films from Asia, Latin America and Africa. Some photos below of the people I hung out with.

With Endo director Jade Castro, sporting our Intense Asian Director Scowl.

Endo, my personal favorite at Cinemalaya '07, is in competition at the Festival. Although it didn't win anything, it was well-received at the festival. A few people would approach the lead actors outside the theaters and congratulate them.

With Best Actress Jung-Hae Oh (Beyond the Years), from Korea.
Very humble and sweet girl. Fine performer as well.

With Pakistani superstar Re ema.

Stunning lady. Unfortunately, as vacuous as a turban. Example: she was called onstage during the closing ceremony and asked: "What do you suggest we do as a closing event for next year?" Answer: "I'm very happy to be here, this Festival has inspired me to work harder, and we hope that more Pakistani films will be invited to the Festival in the future."

Also, I sat behind her during the closing film; as a result had to suffer her perfume in which she'd marinated herself.

With Endo's Jason Abalos.

"Lost in Paris"
un film de Leoy, starring Ina Feleo and Leoy. Coming to theaters soon.

Jade and producer Raymond Lee, on stage at the closing ceremonies.

Produire Au Sud organizer Elodie Ferrer. Sweet, sweet lady.

L-R: More Produire Au Sud folk. Rosario, director from Peru; Mr. Philippines;
Maggie, producer from Egypt; Martin, director from Bolivia.

Martin's last feature premiered in Nantes at age 25, called "The Most Beautiful of My Very Best Years". He's one of those maverick kids. Rosario's film is called "Las Malas Intenciones", is about a young girl whose fear of death launches her into a fantasy world of saints and martyrs. It also includes a funny scene where, because of the inflation, one has to insert 2,000 coins into a payphone to make a one-minute call. Maggie's film is "A Long Film on Sorrow", a statement on the Middle East crisis.

The Brazilians! Mario and Felipe.

They became our buddies during the workshop. The producer Mario (the one who looks like Dom de Luise) is a booming guy with hilarious stories. Felipe is the co-director, who calls critics and script doctors and consultants "aliens", who may or may not have intentions to invade and corrupt your film. Not pictured is co-director Marina who's doing residency in Lille. Their film is called "A Alegria", about three friends and there's a sea monster in there somewhere.

With Endo's Ina Feleo. She's really cute.

PARIS, ROUND 2
Returned for a couple more days in Paris after the festival, did a few more touristy things.

The Three Shades by Rodin, up close, at the Musee Rodin. This sculpture was originally one of the many smaller sculptures he incorporated in his sculpture The Gates of Hell. I think of all the fine arts I'm most awed by sculpture. Of all of them it's the one truly created by the artist's own hands, each bump and surface. To be face to face with that is something else.

Les Invalides, a 17th century hospital built by Napoleon for the soldiers who fought his wars.
Immense, ostentatious structure. Today, it's still a hospital for veterans.

Unfortunately as of this point I was freezing once more and couldn't give a flying f**k.



The Moulin Rouge. As touristy as you can get.



Hamming it up with Ina and Jason. Me, drunk; them, completely beat from a day of travel.

FOOD
Took on a gastronomic adventure over there, adventure being just ordering whatever I can recognize on the French language menus. Overall: French food is okay once in a while, but the lack of taste (for a Pinoy palate like mine) can get frustrating after a while.

Our table at La Cigale. It's a hundred year-old restaurant. Very nice. Note the detail on the walls and arches.

Creme Brulee. Don't like sweet stuff. After this, I still don't.

Pan-seared foie gras at La Cigale. If you ask me I still prefer Je Suis Gourmand's (at the Fort) version.

Steak. Despite not having eaten meat for 13 years, I've decided to eat red meat outside the country just to taste what it's like. Didn't like it very much. One time I ordered Tartare by mistake. Dunno why I did that, knowing what it means. That was disgusting.

Just had to have the Royale with Cheese. In this case, with bacon. Tastes like Burger McDo. With bacon.



Riz Cantonnaise. All I can say is, after weeks of French bread... thank God for rice!



Nothing beats a good old-fashioned Pinoy spread. This was the best meal I've had in two weeks, at Hazel's, the Endo crew's host. Though it was important to eat the bulalo right away because ten seconds out on the table, magsesebo na siya. It was 5 degrees outside.