The Argentine Film Festival (Cine Argentino) is back for its second year at the home of film festivals, lifestyle and entertainment destination Shangri-La Plaza.
Six of the best contemporary films will be screened from August 18 to 21, 2016 at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 4.
Argentine Ambassador Roberto Bosch was present during the press preview last August 2 and shared the following:
“This year we try to show a combination of movies with three objectives. First, we show the reality of the Argentinian movie industry with some of them have received prizes around the world like La Patota, Betibu and Medianeras. Together with some movies that show how we are in Argentina … our lives, in particular our sense of humor. So that’s the idea – what we are, what we think, and also what we do with the kind of movies we can produce. Also, movies that we know the Filipino public will appreciate. That’s why there is a good combination of genres – there is comedy, drama, thriller.”
We watched “La Reina” during the last year’s press preview, a story about a girl who is preparing for her stint as the carnival queen. For this edition of the film festival, we took a deeper look into relationships. Viewers will see how the disappearance of one man affected the lives of those who are closest to him in El Misterio de la Felicidad (The Mystery of Happiness / 2013 / Romance, Comedy / 99 min).
This film is said to be characteristic of Argentina’s movie industry, combining comedy with romance and drama of normal lives of normal people.
A young psychiatrist encounters an incredible case of an 85-year-old patient being treated for post traumatic stress disorder at a public facility. In the film Fermin, Glorias del Tango (Fermin, Glories of Tango / 2014 / Drama / 109 min), the patient only expresses himself using lyrics and titles of tango songs.
Postmodern rom-com Medianeras (Sidewalls / 201 / Comedy, Drama, Romance / 94 min) takes part mostly in the digital world. The film follows the seemingly perfect pair, Martin and Mariana, as they go through their days, musing on their inability to find love in the city, all while living right across each other.
Goya Award Nominee El Hombre de Al Lado (The Man Next Door / 2009 / Comedy, Drama / 101 min) is a light-hearted look into privilege through the tale of two different men – a successful designer and a used car salesman. Though displaying a huge gap in status, wealth and personality, these guys have one thing in common – a wall. And when one decides to have a hole right on it, a feud hilariously ensues.
La Patota (2015 / Thriller / 103 min) is a contemporary remake of a 1960s Argentinian classic. The Cannes multi-award winning film revolves around socially conscious teacher Paulina – her unconventional response to being sexually assaulted and the complexity of the aftershocks that extend well beyond just the victim.
Betibú (2014 / Crime, Drama / 99 min), a noir novel writer, is asked to investigate the death of a rich businessman. He was suspected of killing his wife years ago, but was found with his throat sit in his luxurious apartment. She discovers more murders of powerful men with a dark past as she digs deeper into the case.
2nd Argentine Film Festival Screening Schedule at Shang Cineplex
| Date | Movie | Time |
| Aug 18 / Thursday | El Misterio de la Felicidad | 4:30 PM |
| Fermin, Glorias del Tango | 9:30 PM | |
| Aug 19 / Friday | Medianeras | 4:30 PM |
| El Hombre de Al Lado | 7:00 PM | |
| La Patota | 9:30 PM | |
| Aug 20 / Saturday | El Hombre de Al Lado | 4:30 PM |
| El Misterio de la Felicidad | 7:00 PM | |
| La Patota | 9:30 PM | |
| Aug 21 / Sunday | Medianeras | 4:30 PM |
| Fermin, Glorias del Tango | 7:00 PM | |
| Betibu | 9:30 PM |
Admission is FREE on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets will be released 30 minutes before the screening time. Schedules and films are subject to change without prior notice.
The second Argentine Film Festival is made possible by the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the Philippines, Shang Cineplex and the Film Development Council of Philippines.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/ArgentinaEnFilipinas or the film festival’s Facebook event page. You may also contact Shang at 370-2597 to 98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Use #ArgentineFilmFestShang when posting about this year’s event.