‘Emir’ wins award in Cairo filmfest

Posted at 4:40 pm December 15, 2010

Tags: Film

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By Marjorie Gorospe

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— “Emir”, a film that pays tribute to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), won the Youssef Chahine Award for Best Artistic Contribution at the recent Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt.

Director Chito Roño personally received the award during the festival’s closing ceremonies held at the Opera House in Cairo.

Roño admitted that it was one of the most ambitious films he ever directed considering that it was a musical film and was shot in Morocco.

Written by Palanca awardee Jerry Gracio, Emir tells the story of Amelia (portrayed by newcomer Francheska Farr), an Ilocano who opted to go abroad to help her family.

She found work as a nanny serving a royal family, taking care of the sheik’s eldest son, the crown prince of Morocco. She introduces the young boy to Filipino culture.

The film features 22 original songs composed by Chino Toledo sang by Filipino artists including Dulce, Sid Lucero, Jhong Hilario and Beverly Salviejo. It is produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) with the assistance of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Emir was also shown at the 15th Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea and at the 34th World Film Festival held in Montreal, Canada.

The Cairo award follows a string of victories by independent produced Filipino films in the international filmfest circuit.

“Donor”, directed by Mark Meilly, recently won Best Film and Best Actress (for Meryl Soriano) at the Brussels filmfest in Belgium.

Meanwhile, veteran actress Anita Linda won Best Actress in the recent Asia Pacific Film festival held in Taipei, Taiwan for her role in “Lola”, directed by Brilliante Mendoza.

(Photos taken from Emir official website)

‘Emir’ wins award in Cairo filmfest

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