About this Event
A groundbreaking film in Tagalog with English subtitles, Batang West Side (2001) follows a detective’s investigation into the death of a Filipino teen, revealing within the crime story, the alienation, cultural displacement, and struggles of the Fil-Am community amidst the myth of the American dream.
TOPAZ ARTS is honored to host an informal screening, with several cast and crew members from the original production, including Ged Merino and Ramon Prado Mappala. Hear about the process of filming with Lav Diaz in the cold of winter, shot 25 years ago in New Jersey and locations nearby.
Join us for this rare opportunity and get comfy for this five-hour epic film! The event is free with RSVP, with light merienda, refreshments and cocktails available continuously throughout the evening. Please note: the informal studio screening takes place in a preferred no-shoes space, so feel free to bring your favorite comfy socks. We recommend wearing easy on/off shoes to visit the gallery and bar.
Note for guests: Due to its 5-hour runtime and mature content (violence and substance abuse), this film is intended for adult audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
About the Artist:
Lavrente 'Lav' Indico Diaz (b. 1958, Philippines) is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker known for his cinematic form that weave social and political issues within long narratives, allowing for a deeper engagement within Filipino conciousness. His films have garnered awards that recognize Diaz as one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers by the international film and festival world, including the Golden Leopard at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival; the Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear) at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival; and the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, among many others including Lifetime Achievement Awards.
“Batang West Side … is an examination of our past, our future—a collective canvas of what we are as a people, as a nation.” – Lav Diaz
This program is part of TOPAZ ARTS' 25th Year Celebration, supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department Of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Topaz Arts Inc, 55-03 39th Avenue, Queens, United States
USD 0.00
