CANNES THIS BE LOVE? ] Senedy Que reports from the French Riviera

Alessandra de Rossi and Piolo Pascual pay homage to Brocka's Jaguar in the twinbill Manila.

CANNES, FRANCE -- The scheduled screening was not until 8:15pm but as early as 6:30, the Philippine delegation representing Manila has gathered near the Grand Theatre Lumiere to prepare for the “marches rouges." Directors Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Raya Martin, together with producer Arleen Cuevas and producer-actor Piolo Pascual were positioned on a corner to wait for their turn as crowds gathered by the entrance to witness celebrities like Michelle Yeoh, David Kross (of The Reader) and director Ang Lee make their way to the gala screening of Pedro Almodovar’s Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces) which was due to premiere the same night.

A few minutes later, Alix and co. were instructed to walk to the center of the red carpet. Behind Adolf, Raya, Arleen, and Piolo are the film’s production designer Digo Ricio, assistant director Armi Cacanindin, and Independencia actor Sid Lucero, together with Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Digna Santiago and Manet Dayrit. Cameras flashed as our fellow countrymen walked up the stairs. At the entrance door, they were warmly welcomed by the executive directors of the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.

Cocktails were served in a special room overlooking the setting sun at the French Riviera, while we watched the live feed announcing the arrival of Almodovar with his star, Penelope Cruz.

Inside the theatre at Salle Bunuel, the audience applauded the entrance of the creative team behind Manila. After a brief introduction, the special screening promptly started at 8.15pm. The film was met with loud applause as the closing credits flashed on the screen.































Senedy Que is the writer and director of Dose which will be shown at the Galleria IndieSine from July 1 to 7.