Philippine New Wave: This is not a film movement

This is not a film movement. In case you're wondering what it's all about, that is what the cover of Philippine New Wave tells you, right at the beginning. Philippine New Wave was recently launched at the conclusion of the Cinemalaya 6 Congress last Tuesday at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The launch began with a screening of the book's trailer - a short documentary of sorts shot by the book's editor, Khavn De La Cruz. Technical problems resulted in an unintended silent film, which the audience gamely watched anyway, thankful for the subtitles. The book is at the very least a 101 course on what anyone needs to know about digital filmmaking in the Philippines, but more than that, it is an engaging read on the who's who of digital filmmakers. These are the names you already know - and if you don't, these are the names you should know. Featured in the book, in alphabetical, unbiased order, are Adolfo Aliz, Jr., Ato Bautista, Ditsi Carolino, Mes De Guzman, Lav Diaz, Rico Maria Ilarde, Jeffrey Jeturian, Khavn, Raya Martin, Brillante Mendoza, Ellen Ramos, Roxlee, Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Auraeus Solito, Kidlat Tahimik, John Torres and Paolo Villaluna. More than knowing their names, you should watch their films. Of course. That goes without saying. What doesn't, though, is how they feel about their art, and the scene, and everything in between. This is what Philippine New Wave offers - an opportunity to listen in on the dynamic back and forth conversations between these prominent digital filmmakers and De La Cruz. Readers gain insight and not merely information on the filmmakers - their influences and philosophies, their processes, their origins and destinations, cinema itself, and inevitably, the nation. How does one capture the spirit of the Philippine digital revolution in a book? De La Cruz, known for crossing boundaries and blurring lines with his experimental work not just in film but in music and writing, seems to be perfect for the job. Working for a couple of years with Dodo Dayao and Mabie Alagbate, De La Cruz engaged 16 fellow internationally acclaimed filmmakers in conversation, and with a skillful hand came up with Philippine New Wave - a book that escapes classification. As Critic After Dark author Noel Vera wrote, it is “not quite formal interview, not quite Internet quiz, not quite cinema textbook, not quite oral history." The book is a real gift for anyone who goes to the cinema knowing that after the couple or so hours they will not be the same person who walked into the theater. Those who truly love film would be proud, and De La Cruz seems to know this perfectly as he introduces the book by reference to the tenderly circulated "The Letter I Would Love to Read to You in Person," written by slain film critic Alexis Tioseco, who is dearly missed. "This book is a work of love, too. It is also a love letter, to a vibrant Philippine independent cinema, to Alexis, and those that keep making films, that keep watching films, that keep writing about films, that keep arguing about films, that keep the conversation going," said Khavn. The book will have its second launch at the University of the Philippines on August 13. Meanwhile, copies are available for 700 pesos at http://kamiasroad.org. - GMANews.TV