Children’s classics AT SM Cinemas

Over a thousand students from a dozen elementary schools and 13 high schools in Parañaque City were recently treated to free film screenings of Children’s Classics at cinemas at SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Bicutan, and SM City Sucat. These included critically acclaimed movies, like Every Child is Special from India, and Children of Heaven from the Islamic Republic of Iran. A joint project of MTRCB and the City of Parañaque, with support from the Embassy of India, the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and SM, Children’s Classics is a two-day, simultaneous screening event at three SM malls in the south metro featuring educational and family movies from the embassies. This is in celebration of the 3rd Sunduan Festival of the City of Parañaque, and in line with the “Matalinong Panonood Program” of the MTRCB, which aims to raise public awareness on the revised classification rating for movies and television. Every Child is Special, also known as Like Stars on Earth (Taare Zameen Par), is a 2007 Indian drama film about an eight-year old student and the events that lead to the discovery of his Dyslexia by a new boarding school teacher. It won Best Film on Family Welfare in 2007 at India’s prestigious National Film Awards, and was India’s official entry for the 2009 Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film category. The screening was made possible by the Embassy of India. Children of Heaven is a 1997 Iranian drama film about the hard work shown by a brother to make up to his sister after accidentally losing her only pair of shoes. In 1998, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, which was followed by numerous showings and awards in prominent international film festivals. The screening was made possible by the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila. No less than Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and 1st District Representative Eric Olivarez welcomed the students, teachers and parents to these special screenings. The city officials, together with MTRCB Chairman Toto Villareal made the gathering even more meaningful with their inspiring video messages about responsible watching. Also present were the MTRCB Board Members and Vice Chairman Emmanuel Borlaza. Moreover, students during the film screening at SM City BF Parañaque enjoyed a rare performance by the Bamdad Musical Ensemble, a world-class group of folk musicians, introducing traditional Iranian music and instruments through the help of Cultural Expert Dr. Bahman Samadi and Culture Councilor Dr. Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi of the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Cultural Expert Dr. Mohammad Reza Kaka of Iran’s Islamic Culture Relations Organization. The Children’s Classics film screening event is one of the many educational events at the SM Supermalls.