Austria's First Philippine Film Festival has traveled a long way: from Manila, to New York for a month-long Filipino Film Retrospective at the Lincoln Film Center, and on to Vienna. The selection of films was expertly packaged by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to meet the specific wish-lists of different Filipino communities worldwide: a Centennial gift of the Philippine Centennial Commission to Filipinos abroad and international audiences.

Eight award-winning, thought-provoking and artistically produced films spanning almost 50 years will be shown -- from Manuel Silos' 1959 classic black-and-white film Biyaya nang Lupa (1959) about Filipino traditional values, to Sakay, Raymond Red's 1993 alternative film about the unsung heroes of the Filipino-American war.

Many of the films are being viewed for the first time in an improved and restored state. These include Geron Busabos, the award-winning 1964 film of now-Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada which secured his image as a champion of the masses; Gerardo de Leon's 1961 Noli me Tangere, restored with German funding in 1991; and Lino Brocka?s 1974 Tinimbang na Nguni't Kulang, reprinted with British help especially for the Centennial.

"Film of the decade." Remake of Lamberto Avellana's 1939 film about Macario Sakay, the "bandit" who continued to resist American rule after the capture of General Emilio Aguinaldo. Red's internationally acclaimed version looks at Sakay and his men as unsung heroes. Red, one of the country's most successful independent film-makers, was a resident artist in Berlin when he directed his first movie, "Bayani," about revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio. It was shown on ZDF Television.

Entered in film festivals in Singapore, Fribourg, New York and Tokyo.

A picturesque tale of Kulas, a country bumpkin, whose misadventures symbolize the search for the elusive Filipino identity at a time when Spain was being replaced by the United States as the colonizer after a short-lived period of Philippine independence.
Commendable period production design.

Urian Awards for best picture, director, screenplay, production design. FAMAS award for best actor (de Leon) and supporting actor (Salcedo). One of 10 best films of 1970s by Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Hordes of pilgrims and curiosity seekers descend on a quiet, nondescript village, transforming it drastically, after a young girl reveals her visions of the Virgin Mary and gains fame for her visions and healing sessions. Based on an account of alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary on Cabra Island in 1967.

Metro Manila Film Festival Awards for best picture, director, screenplay, actress (Aunor), supporting actress (Duenas), supporting actor (Manikan), screenplay (Ricky Lee), director, story, actress (Aunor), cinematography (Sergio Lobo), production design, (Raquel N. Villavicencio), editing (Ike Jarlego, Jr.). Aunor nominated for best actress, Berlin International Film Festival.

Brocka exposes small-town hypocrisy and dissects small-town characters through a story about a scandalous affair between a leper and a crazed woman traumatized by an abortion. Inspired by Brocka?s own hometown of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and his stint as Mormon missionary on Molokai, the film launched the new Philippine cinema of the 1970s. Musical score features indigeneous instruments. Reprinted with British funding.

FAMAS awards for best picture, actor (de Leon), actress (Rodriguez), music (Lutgardo Labad) and theme song (Emmanuel Lacaba).

De Leon's faithful film adaptation of 1887 novel by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal depicting the struggle of Filipinos for reforms under Spain. A "meditation on colonial dysfunctionalism." Last surviving, severely deteriorated print was restored with German Government funding in 1990 and is now a major archival treasure of CCP.

Famas awards for best picture, director, supporting actor (Keesee) and supporting actress (Carino).

Musical comedy and irreverent spoof on the serious theme of foreign control of the Philippine economy. Uncovering a scheme using fake nuns and priests to smuggle dope into the country, two pairs of lovers find themselves caught in the crossfire between warring Japanese and Chinese traders. A landmark films of the 1980s which had to hurdle the censors for its alleged racist attacks.

Urian awards for best director, supporting actor (Delgado), music (Lorrie Ilustre), editing (Ike Jarlego, Jr.) and sound (Ramon Reyes).

Flashback to the finest film performance of Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada as a young actor 34 years ago. Estrada?s role as a tramp established the archetypal Filipino action hero: an essentially peaceful person drawn to fight against violent forces to champion the downtrodden and humble folk. Estrada sincerity disarms, endearing him to the movie-going public and providing him with a springboard to politics.

FAMAS awards for best actor (Estrada), picture and screenplay

Considered one of the best Filipino films of all time. Filipino values are reflected in the joys and tragedies in the farm life of a family of survivors. Rich in rural imagery.

FAMAS awards for best picture and story. Salvador awarded best supporting actor by Asian Film Festival.

FAMAS awards for best picture, actor (de Leon), actress (Rodriguez), music (Lutgardo Labad) and theme song (Emmanuel Lacaba).

Directions to Filmhaus-Kino am Spittelberg: Strassenbahn 49, direct stop at Stiftgasse; or U2-U3 Volkstheater, exit Burggasse and walk to Spittelberggase.

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