Czech envoy sees closer Philippines-Czech relations through cinema exchange

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.
(PNA), LAP/EB/RSM

CEBU CITY, Oct. 9 (PNA) -- Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olsa Jr. Friday said he saw closer relations between the Philippines and his country through cinema exchange.

Olsa was in Cebu for the opening of the Cinema Europa 18 film festival at the Ayala Center in Cebu City, which is spearheaded by the Arts Council of Cebu.

A Czech film, “Christmas Miracles in Prague,” is the opening film in Cine Europa 18 Friday night.

The film festival will last until Oct. 11.

The film, directed by Lenka Kny and produced by Ales Hudsky, is a contemporary romantic comedy which tells of the story of two families that will travel from Mexico to Prague in the Czech republic in the hope of becoming recipients of Christmas miracles from the iconic Sto. Nino de Prague, the sister icon of the famed and venerated Sto. Nino de Cebu.

Olsa said they have shown several movies from his country in Manila, Cebu and other parts of the country through the Cine Europa film festival.

”We hope to establish closer cultural ties through the exchange of movies,” he said.

Olsa said they are working to show Philippine movies in his country starting in December this year.

Among the movies to be shown in the Czech republic is a remastered copy of the movie “Genghis Khan,” a 1950 classic of the famed Filipino director Manuel Conde.

Genghis Khan, was the first Filipino movie to be shown at the Venice film festival in 1952.

Olsa said they will also show the Filipino movie “Dekada 70” and one film starring the late action star and presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.