LOLO'S CHILD
After weeks and weeks of promotions (i.e. running around, twisting the arms
of friends (and sometimes, strangers..)) to buy tickets, on the night of
Monday, April 1, 2002, one of CUFSA's biggest projects for the year was well
under way. CUFSA sponsored the premier screening of "Lolo's Child" in Ottawa,
which was held at the National Archives of Canada Auditorium.
The producer/director/actor/editor (and the list goes on..) of "Lolo's Child",
Romeo Candido and producer Mary Anne Ledesma, with some crew members, arrived
from Kingston for the screening. An hour prior to the show, we met them at
the auditorium, and setup began: the ticket table was prepared, video and
sound tests were done, etcetera, etcetera.. and 20 minutes before the 7:00
the first of the audience trickled in. At about 7:15 the screening began
with a brief introduction to the film and Romeo Candido, by Kathleen.
"Lolo's Child" is a story about a young man coming to terms with his past,
and coming to terms with violence in the family - a pertinent issue in the
Filipino culture. The opening scene started the audience off in a solemn
mood, but soon enough the auditoruim was filled with laughter; although the
film dealt with some serious issues, it definitely did not lack genuine Filipino
humour.
75+ people came to the screening (which proved to be a more or less successful
turn-out..), and this intimate setting allowed for
a question-and-answer period with the director after the film. And what
can I say? That night's audience deserved an A+ for participation.. majority
clearly enjoyed the movie.
Overall, I can say that the evening was a success. Not only were we able
to raise money to put into our future activities, but we were also able to
meet more people in the community, get more exposure for the group, and gain
valuable experiences. Our main objective in undertaking this project was
to help promote an independent Filipino-Canadian artist, but as it turns
out, we did more than just that. Personally, I'd like to applaud the group
for their teamwork and effort in making this an unforgettable experience
for ourselves and those who attended the screening. A job well done guys..
and high-fives to you all!
"Lolo's Child" will be coming back to Ottawa in September or October of 2002,
and we hope to see more people come support and enjoy a very good film.
Agatha Javellana