ridging Generations: Making the Archives Relevant to the Youth
The ABS-CBN Film Archives fights for the preservation of cultural artifacts, and believes that to truly advocate the value of cinematic gems, preservation and restoration are not enough. The more crucial aspect is for people, especially the youth, to be made aware that many films are at risk. This is why the ABS-CBN Film Archives has determined that the current generation would be the most appropriate target audience for its restoration campaign.
The Archives decided that is was important to get young people to produce, edit, and design the campaign materials to give them a young, modern, and contemporary sensibility. The challenge was to create innovative materials that comply with modern trends while staying faithful to the iconic films. Plugs featured the most sought-after and credible local personalities who spoke willingly about film restoration and the importance of preserving classic Filipino films.The restoration plugs were screened in theaters and are available online. Below are the links to the latest restoration plug as well as the English subtitled trailer for the latest restoration project, Hindi Nahahati angLangit, which will be having a theatrical release soon:
Kapamilya Stars on Film Restoration:
Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit Trailer (Digitally Restored in HD) with Subtitle:
To make the past restored titles more accessible, the Archives has been making selected titles available on iTunes. Below is the link to the plug created to promote the restored titles on iTunes:
ABS-CBN Restoration: Muling Maki-iTunes mga Kapamilya!:
Audiovisual archives in this day and age have the chance to spread its advocacy through social media. To be able to interact with a wider audience, the Archives has created an official Facebook page as well as a Twitter account. It uses these social media sites not only to promote its restored films but also to educate the public about film preservation and restoration. The sites also serve as a venue for discussion and a means to share trivia about Philippine films. Below is a link to the official Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/filmrestorationabscbn
( LeoKatigbak, head of the ABS-CBN Film Archiveswith Polytechnic University of the Philippines students and faculty)
It is also important to bring the advocacy directly to the youth. This is why the Archives joined the campus festival of Cinema One Originals and screened the restored Himala (Miracle) and Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (As We Were)in two universities. Leo Katigbak, the head of the ABS-CBN Film Archives, spoke about the restoration advocacy and answered the many questions of the curious students. It is always a fulfilling moment to witness the people realize the state the film prints are in and spark a sense of responsibility in them to do whatever they can to actively change this.
In an increasingly digital age, audiovisual archives have the opportunity to interact with the public and make the cinematicpast relevant. There is a chance to make the youth realize there is a dire need to preserve our nation’s history and cultural heritage, for what other way is there to become proud of one’s culture and identity then to continually ensure its existence.
By:
Carmela Barbaza (carmela_barbaza@yahoo.com)
ABS-CBN Film Archives
Philippines