As a much-awaited yearly favorite event by film lovers in the country, the International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM) 2025 had its opening night last July 11, 2025 at Cinema 1, Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza. The festival brings back the rich tradition of showcasing timeless silent films from around the world, reimagined through live musical scoring by a compelling lineup of Filipino musicians.
The opening night featured Japan’s silent film entry, The Scent of Pheasant’s Eye: An Episode from the Tales of Flowers, is a quietly powerful adaptation of a story by Yoshiya Nobuko, a pioneering queer writer and foremother of shōjo and yuri literature. Set in 1930s Japan, the film explores a tender and emotionally complex relationship between two women, unfolding with grace, restraint, and poetic depth. Its existence alone is a radical act; a lesbian love story imagined nearly a century ago.
It was also accompanied by a live performance by Nanako Yamauchi, a benshi or silent film narrator, who will deliver a live interpretation of the film. This performance revives the traditional art of benshi narration, offering audiences a rare, immersive cultural experience. Nanako Yamauchi is one of Japan’s leading contemporary benshi, breathing new life into the silent film tradition with vivid, emotive live narration. With performances in Japan and abroad, she brings sensitivity and strength to every story, connecting audiences to a cinematic form that is both historic and strikingly alive.
The film was accompanied by the live musical scoring by an all-female ensemble: Mariah Reodica, Teresa Barrozo, and Pat Sarabia. Each artist brings her own musical roots and sensibilities, ranging from indie rock to experimental sound and powerful percussion, joining forces for the first time in this one-of-a-kind collaboration. Their music honors the film’s quiet intensity and amplifies its emotional core.
The opening night was proudly presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila, in partnership with the Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine Italian Association, the Austrian Embassy, and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen.
We would like to thank The Japan Foundation, Manila for bringing this masterpiece to the Filipino public, who truly appreciated this art form and the associated Japanese culture.
arkadymac.com is proud to have been a media partner for this event and to have been able to bring you the highlights of this event. Many thanks to our Correspondent Keileen for covering the event for us.
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