THE ACCIDENTAL ACTOR: COUNTDOWN TO MMFF 2016

COUNTDOWN TO MMFF 2016

The 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Executive Committee has officially announced the eight films that will be competing in the 42nd MMFF.

The 8 Films were selected in accordance with the following criteria :
1. Story, audience appeal and overall impact - 40%
2. Cinematic attributes or technical expertise - 40%
3. Global appeal - 10%, and
4. Filipino sensibility - 10%

The competition films will commence screening on 25 December 2016, and will run up to 07 January 2017 in major cinemas in Metro Manila. This also includes FDCP Cinematheques.

To familiarize the public with the `Magic 8' competition film entries, the “Countdown to MMFF 2016″ Event was held last Saturday, 03 December 2016, 4PM, at the SM North EDSA Skydome in Quezon City. Metro Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge and concurrent MMFF head Thomas Orbos officiated the event, which was also co-hosted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and saw the presence of the FDCP chairperson, Liza Dino.

FDCP Chairperson Liza Dino

Following artists came on stage to promote their respective films:

1. Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania and Leo Selomenio (“SUNDAY BEAUTY QUEEN”, directed by Babyruth Villarama)
2. Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri, Alex San Agustin, Karl Medina, Menggie Coborrubias, and RJ Agustin (“KABISERA”, directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido)
3. Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos (“SAVING SALLY”, directed by Avid Liongoren)
4. Eugene Domingo, Joel Torre and Hanna Ledesma (“ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK 2", directed by Marlon Rivera
5. Paolo Ballesteros, Christian Bables, Inah De Belen, and Cedrick Juan (“DIE BEAUTIFUL”, directed by Jun Robles Lana)
6. Irma Adlawan, Sue Prado, Acey Aguilar, Cedrick Juan, Sunshine Teodoro, Ronald Regala, Timothy Castillo and Lannifel Aguilan (“ORO”, directed by Alvin Yapan)
7. Ronnie Alonte, Neil Ryan Sese, Phoebe Walker, Dominic Roque, JR Versales, and John Vic de Guzman (“SEKLUYSON”, directed by Erik Matti)
8. Julia Barretto, Ronnie Alonte, and Maris Racal (“VINCE & KATH & JAMES", directed by Ted Boborol)

Harold Lumiere III and Dexter Macaraeg

The MMFF executive committee, which includes the chairman and noted film professor and historian Nicanor Tiongson, describes this year's MMFF as a “cinematic revolution” and “renaissance of quality films.” It is a radical departure from past festivals of the MMFF. The selection committee opted to select technically excellent films that focus on the quality of its story and production, rather than commercial viability and the draw of its star performers. Hence, we see the notable absence of previous MMFF maintstays, such as the Enteng Kabisote series, the Mano Po series, and the Vice Ganda starrers.

For the first time in MMFF history, a Documentary (`Sunday Beauty Queen') will be featured among the competition entries. Definitely, this year's selection offers a wide variety of genres, giving MMFF audiences a diverse palate of worlds imagined and created by this year's crop of filmmakers.

`Countdown to MMFF 2016' Host

Aside from the eight full-length features, MMFF will also screen the following short films:

- "Birds" by Christian Paulo Lat
- "EJK" by Bor Ocampo
- "Manila Screen" by Roque Lee & Blair Camilo
- "Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad" by Jarell Serencio

- "Mitatang" by Argin Jezer Gagui
- "Momo" by Avid Liongoren
- "Passage of Life" by Renz Vincemark Cruz & Hannah
- "Sitsiritsit" by Brian Spencer Reyes

Candy Pangilinan co-hosted the event

The MMDA supervises the MMFF while its chairman is the concurrent head and organizer of the annual event.

“It’s all about changing the norms, going against the what we believe is normal. Anything that we need to do to develop to become better to change needs some adjustments. And I think we should give the new set of films a chance.”

Ronnie Liang performs a song number

The MMFF beneficiaries include the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc., Motion Picture and Anti-Film Piracy Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Optical Media Board.

Ode to Mang Guard

HERE IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE 8 COMPETING FILMS FOR MMFF 2016

1. SUNDAY BEAUTY QUEEN starring Filipino Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong

Director: Baby Ruth Villarama

Cast: Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong

Production Company: Voyage Studios Tuko Film, Buchi Boy Entertainment, Artikulo Unos Productions presentation of a Voyage Studios production, in association with Tokyo Docs

Gist: For the longest time, Filipinos have equated film with feature or narrative films, or films that tell a story, to the exclusion of other film forms, like animation, the experimental film, and the documentary. In contrast to the feature film, the documentary presents and interprets actualities, meaning real people, places, and events. But it has as much power as a feature film to move audiences. There is only one documentary in the festival and it is precious for being a well-researched, well-crafted, insightful and engaging documentary on Overseas Filipino Workers.

In Hong Kong, Filipina domestic helpers spend hours of back-breaking work, serving families and individuals, both kind and unkind. They suffer loneliness, accept low pay and inhuman working conditions, and are forever insecure about their jobs. But on Sunday, nothing but nothing can stop them from organizing, joining or watching the beauty contests which have become occasions for entertainment, socialization, fund-raising for a loan fund, and racial solidarity. In these contests, the working girls are magically and suddenly transformed into beauty queens.

Shot intermittently over a period of four years, the film unfolds in its own unhurried pace, like the lives of the main characters it focuses on. With a hand-held camera, it follows the characters as they walk to the supermarket, cook in a cramped kitchen, talk to relatives in the Philippines over the cell phone, walk the dog and bring the kid to school, or feed a senior employer. By the end of the film, the characters have bared their souls to us and we have opened our hearts to them.

2. "ORO"

Director: Alvin Yapan

Cast: Irma Adlawan, Joem Bascon, Mercedes Cabral, Sandino Martin, Sue Prado, Arrian Labios, Biboy Ramirez, Cedrick Juan, Ronald Regala, Timothy Castillo, Acey Aguilar, Sunshine Teodoro
Production Company: Feliz Film Productions

Gist: A remote mining community finds its traditional way of life suddenly imperilled when it faces depredations at the hands of an armed group that misrepresents government authority.

Rural idyll is shattered, as are the modest plans and dreams of simple people. One saving grace is the resolute leadership provided by their barangay captain, a lady who has served her constituency for decades.

But her courage and moral ascendancy are not enough to prevent tragic consequences in this characteristic conflict when “small people” suffer the greed of others who rule by the gun.

Socio-political oppression can only turn a corner towards the saving grace of a mythopoetic ending.

Biboy Ramirez of `ORO' is also a crooner

Team ORO

`ORO' lead actress Irma Adlawan

Sunshine Teodoro

`The Voice Kidz' winner entertains the crowd

3. SAVING SALLY starring Rhian Ramos and TJ Trinidad

Director: Avid Liongoren

Cast: Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad, Enzo Marcos

Production Company: Rocketsheep Studio

Gist: There is much going for this multi-genre film mounted by a small team of young animators who engaged in a ten-year effort to come up with an atypical youthful love story replete with child-like fantasy elements as applied through 2D animation.

Chivalry among the youth is manifested as a realistic element that also lightens up the urban setting, apart from adding to the innovative sources of delight.

While the dialogue is mostly in English, especially among the lead characters who are engaged in graphic design, comic books and video games, it faithfully represents a demographic among our Westernized youth that are beholden to a global outlook and contemporary inclinations as well as creative pursuits.

Frolicsome play wins the day for these youths that we can’t help but cheer on.

Rhian Ramos with Direk Avid Liongoren and TJ Trinidad

Rhian Ramos Fans Club

4. KABISERA starring Nora Aunor, JC de Vera, Jason Abalos and Ronwaldo Martin

Director: Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido

Cast: Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC de Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri, Perla Bautista, Ces Quesada, RJ Agustin, Ronwaldo Martin, and Kiko Matos

Production Company: Silver Story Entertainment and Fire Starters Manila Production Co.

Gist: This socio-political drama unfolds as a quietly powerful and gripping story of a tightly-knit family coming to grips with abusive elements of Philippine society, specifically the hooded perpetrators of extra-judicial killings.

Taking issue with human rights violations doesn’t only serve the film as fine advocacy for its relevant and timely choice of theme, but also subtly reveals various other concerns imbedded in the thread of conflicts.

A sure, steady directorial hand, conscientious script and effective cinematography are matched by the lead actors’ faultless performances.

This taut and tragic drama will disturb viewers with its stark chronology of what confronts us daily in an often oppressive urban milieu, with the final imagery delivering a subtle footnote to our awareness of the proper place of vaunted justice in our society.

JC De Vera in KABISERA

The Superstar Nora Aunor

Karl Medina appears in KABISERA

The Interview

Team Kabisera

The Bodyguard

Character actor Domingo `Menggie' Cobborubias

Reunion with QCinema 2016 Best Actor JC De Vera

INTERMISSION NUMBER

5. SEKLUSYON starring Ronnie Alonte and Dominic Roque

Director: Erik Matti

Cast: Dominic Roque, Ronnie Alonte (of Hashtag), Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, Elora Espano, Phoebe Walker

Production Company: Reality Entertainment

Gist: A horror film as intelligent as this has not been seen in a long, long time. Rising above the tried and tested tricks of engendering terror in the audiences, this Erik Matti masterpiece fearlessly delves into the difference and conflict between religion and spirituality, and raises questions about the sincerity of those that claim to preach the word of God.

A week before they are ordained, four candidates for the priesthood spend time in an old retreat house, to examine their consciences and the purity of their religious intentions. All the candidates must face the gravest sins of their past, which comes back to them in grotesque physical forms.

Shot with amber filter that bathes every scene in a surreal light, the film is notable for deftly manipulating and shifting sizes and angles of shots and movements of the camera in order to make palpable the confusion and horror felt by each character. The visualization of the monsters of past since as tiyanak-like creatures to examine their inner selves, as the film shocks the audience with its own reflection in the cinematic mirror.

The Cast of `Sekusyon'

Ronnie Alonte distributes movie posters to the audience

Dominique Roque of `Seklusyon'

The beautiful Phoebe Walker of Amazing Race, appears in `Seklusyon'

Ronnie Alonte has 2 movies in MMFF 2016. 'Seklusyon' and 'Vince & Kath & James'

Neil Ryan Sese. We were both in `Layang Bilanggo' back in 2010

6. ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK 2 starring Eugene Domingo and Jericho Rosales

Director: Marlon Rivera

Cast: Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales, Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, and Khalil Ramos

Production Company: Martinez Rivera Films and Quantum

Gist: Where the original film satirized the sensationalistic tendencies of the indie film and the dishonesty of directors who make films for foreign festivals, this sequel launches a pointed but hilarious commentary on the pretensions and machinations that characterize the mainstream movie industry and its stars and superstars in our day.

An indie filmmaker writes a very personal script about his own deteriorating marriage and hopes superstar Ms. Eugene Domingo will consider starring in it. But when he and his assistants comes to see her in a spa, Ms. Domingo suggests “slight changes” in the script, so she can live out her own fantasies (as a beautiful young girl, in love with a handsome young boy half her age). With a mangled script, the director storms out of the spa. But Ms. Domingo goes on and makes the movie in her mind anyway.

While this comedy may be seen as a film reflecting on itself or a self-reflexive film, it is nonetheless a film that will appeal as well to all moviegoing Filipinos who will profit from and enjoy seeing through the falsities and frivolities of the mainstream movies they have been watching for decades.

With wit that sparkles in carefully-crafted dialogue and acting that shines way above the common place, this comedy tickles both the mind and the funnybone.

Joel Torre and Eugene Domingo, with Direk Marlon Rivera

Excited to see this sequel to the original blockbuster movie

Hannah Ledesma joins the cast

Hannah hurls movie posters to the excited audience

7. DIE BEAUTIFUL starring Paolo Ballesteros and Albie Casino

Director: Jun Robles Lana

Cast: Paolo Ballesteros, Luis Alandy, Gladys Reyes, Albie Casino, Lou Veloso, Inah De Belen

Production Company: The IdeaFirst Company

Gist: This heartwarming gay film deftly combines comedy and drama to chronicle the glamor, gloom, and glory of one transgender’s short, short life.

After being verbally and physically abused by his father for years, Patrick is finally thrown out of the house for being gay. But as one door closes, many others open. Patrick transforms into the ravishing transgender Trisha, his long-time dream. Refusing to be bitter about her rejection and a gang rape in high school, she becomes a loving mother to an adopted daughter, a devoted partner to her lover, and a loyal confidante to her gay sisters. She also wins a beauty contest. Through her gay sisters’ machinations, she even gets her final bucket wish list.

Under the masterful direction of Jun Robles Lana, the film engages with its crisp and witty beki dialogue, the quiet and nuanced performances of Trisha and Barbie which reveal character rather than stereotype, and the marvellous transformation of Trisha’s face from Britney Spears to Julia Roberts, Beyonce, and Angelina Jolie. Here the gay man is no longer the object of derision but a cause for celebration.

Paolo Ballesteros of `Die Beautiful'

Ang anak ni Janice! Inah De Belen makes her acting debut in `Die Beautiful'.

Paolo Ballesteros won Best Actor at the recent Tokyo International Film Festival

Paolo Ballesteros Fans Club

8. VINCE & KATH & JAMES starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Maris Racal and Ronnie Alonte

Director: Ted Boborol

Cast: Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Maris Racal and Ronnie Alonte

Production Company: Star Cinema

Gist: This light romance comedy successfully reinvents the teen movie with its fresh approach and fluid narrative, bolstered by a directorial style that is fresh and clean, indeed, admirably adept at executing the script’s rhythmic structure of twists and turns with perfect pitch.

While it features and may be intended for millennial, it should appeal to all generations. Strong points include highly believable characters that conduct a modern take on the Cyrano de Bergerac love triangle, this time through texting and online engagement.

The ensemble acting is excellent, in particular on the part of the lead characters. Dialogue is natural and credible, spiked with hugot lines that rachet up the kilig factor. No false notes reduce the delightful experience of sharing in young love that settles for nothing less than the proper equation and entitlement.