US actor Sean Penn vows to help Filipino film “Serbis"In a rare chance meeting with famous and influential movie people abroad, Filipino director Brillante Mendoza said his personal encounter with Hollywood actor Sean Penn during the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival was fruitful.
"I was a memorable experience of a lifetime," said Brillante.
Penn was the Chairman of the Jury of the 61st Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France where Mendoza’s latest film "Serbis" was screened at the main competition category.
He confessed he had to hunt down Penn during dinner to talk about the future of "Serbis" in the world market and to take a photo with him.
"At first, he didn’t want to pose with me but when he found out I was the director of ‘Serbis,’ he grabbed me and posed with me. He also talked with me," Mendoza recounted.
Brillante said Penn liked his film. "He saw it and promised to help us when the film gets to North America later this year. But of course, Fortissimo, as the exclusive world agent of ‘Serbis,’ has all the details of the distribution process," said Mendoza.
Although we didn’t win any award, being chosen to compete in the main category, in the Palme d’Or no less, was an award in itself. I cannot forget that moment," said the awarded filmmaker.
During the awards night held at the Palais de Festivals, Brillante was sitting side by side with international luminaries that included Penn, Robert de Niro and Mila Jovovich. "I had an autograph taken with de Niro. I would really treasure it," said the fan in him.
Mendoza is still ecstatic about his experience at Cannes. "Imagine, we had to walk the red carpet twice and it was a rare opportunity. I am proud to be a Filipino," exclaimed the prize-winning director.
"Hanggang ngayon, ipinagmamalaki ko pa rin si Lino Brocka dahil siya ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa mga aspiring filmmakers sa ibang bansa lalo na sa Cannes," he said.
"Serbis" will open June 18 in ten Robinsons theaters.
The film has been bought in eight territories covering twelve countries.
This post has been edited by zvintik on 27 Jun 2008, 21:25
შონ პენი / Sean Penn
