There was a time when I spent one weekend watching several movies in just one seating. It was one lazy afternoon with nothing to do, so I just decided to watch the available DVD movies at home. I remembered it was the Indiana Jones series I indulged into. All 4 of them: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom Crystal Skull. I started watching at 2pm and ended it past midnight. I only had in between breaks for my food fix and, of course, occasional trips to the toilet.
Watching movies at home gives comfort, but you miss the thrill of seeing and hearing the reaction of other people that you only get when you’re at the cinema. There’s something satisfying with hearing the unified laughter or yells of surprises of fellow movie goers. Including yourself, too.
If you’re up for a fun movie marathon at the cinema, there’s an ongoing Spring Film Festival at The Shang Cineplex. The film festival is organized every year to promote Chinese language and culture in mainstream Philippine society, particularly among young Filipinos, so that they may become bridges between the Philippines and China. This is already the 10th year.
The festival started last January 29th. My friends and I took advantage of these free screening and went there last January 31st and watched all the three featured movies that day: Coming Home, Qui Xi, and Back in 1942.
What makes it more exciting is the fact that they are free. You just have to go early and line up. Free tickets are distributed 3o minutes before each film screening.
The 1oth Spring Festival is still ongoing, and the last day will be on February 7th. English subtitles are provided in all films, so come and watch them. Take advantage of this wonderful experience, and enjoy learning more about the culture of China.
10th Spring Film Festival
The Shang Cineplex is at Level 6, Shangri-La Plaza, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
