Hollywood actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt has released the short film ‘The Beauty of the Philippines’, a compilation of the best photos and clips he gathered from Filipino netizens who participated in the project.
The ‘500 Days of Summer’ star had earlier asked Filipinos on social media to share their favorite travel photos of the country and answer a short prompt: “The most beautiful thing about the Philippines is ___.”
Netizens then submitted their entries to HitRecord, an online media platform founded and owned by Levitt and used for collaborations of an online community of writers, filmmakers, musicians, and artists from around the world.
The film, released on August 12, 2020, is a product of photo, audio, and video contributions from over 60 HitRecord Community members. The short film shines a spotlight on world-famous beaches and tourist spots in the Philippines, as well as Filipino tradition and culture.
“Wherever you go, you will find yourself surrounded by scenes of such spectacle. From the plants to the trees, to the water, to the setting sun, every spot is special,” the film explains.
The short film also honors Igorots (mountain people), Kalinga tattoo master Apo Whang-od, and the many festivals unique to the country.
“The most beautiful thing about the Philippines is its people. They find beauty in all things. They will make you feel like you are family, like you are home,” the film continues, alongside a montage of locals and indigenous people.
“But it is the people you will remember most. You will discover how a simple smile from a stranger can change your day. In their eyes, you will find hope and love. And you will be forever changed.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is grateful for the overwhelming support from Filipino netizens.
“The finished piece is such a sweet celebration of a beautiful place and culture. Bravo to everyone who contributed!” the actor wrote.
Gordon-Levitt’s HitRecord platform regularly showcases different cultures and landscapes collated from aspiring talented filmmakers, photographers, and artists around the globe. He hopes to see netizens again in his next project.
“Hope you all enjoy it (the film) as much as I did. Looking forward to seeing what we’ll create together next,” the actor said.
The Philippines, home to scenic landscapes and teeming marine biodiversity, is often cited for its topnotch diving spots and teeming marine biodiversity.
Tubbataha Reef National Park in Palawan and Moalboal in Cebu are once again among Lonely Planet’s recommended “most surprisingly spectacular” dive spots in the world while whale sharks and endangered sea turtles are also thriving in the Philippine seas amid the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
WATCH the film in this link and SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Filipino netizens for the release of the film on The Beauty of the Philippines!
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