Here’s why we should watch Cinemalaya this year
Fresh, edgy and innovative. These are the adjectives that best describe the entries in the 14th edition of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
Audiences can expect a spectacular 10 days of world premieres of feature films and shorts exploring a compelling slate of controversial, entertaining and thought-provoking themes with global resonances.
Here are the 10 finalists in the full-length feature category:
Ang mga Bisita ni Mamang
Starring: Celeste Legaspi, Ketchup Eusebio, Elora Españo, Alex Vincent Medina, Paolo O’hara, Peewee O’hara
Director: Denise O’Hara
The film deals with Mamang, an old woman who hangs on her memory to be with her unmarried middle-aged son.
It is directed by screenwriter Denise O’Hara who presented two entries in the same Cinemalaya category last year.
Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon
Starring: Perla Bautista, Dante Rivero, Menggie Cobarrubias, Che Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, Rayan Ronquillo, Jacqueline Cortez, Dunhill Razon
Director: Carlo Catu
“Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon” revolves around Teresa, a lady at the twilight of her life who lives with her longtime partner Celso. She receives a call from her estranged husband Benedicto who is seeking forgiveness from her and their son Chito.
The 22-year old Kapampangan director has received numerous awards from international film festivals. He was also nominated for best director in the 39th Gawad Urian.
Kuya Wes
Starring: Ogie Alcasid, Ina Raymundo, Moi Bien, Alex Medina, Nestor Abrogena, Karen Gaerlan
Director: James Robin Mayo
Kuya Wes works in a money transfer company and finds himself “in a relationship” with a regular client. She happens to be a married woman who suffers from marital woes.
James Robin Mayo was nominated for best director in this year’s Gawad Urian for his work, “The Chanters.”
Liway
Starring: Glaiza de Castro, Dante Rivero, Dominic Roco, Menggie Cobarrubias, Kenken Nuyad
Director: Kip Oebanda
“Liway” is about a notorious NPA rebel in Negros whose beauty is legendary and her tactics, unparalleled.
Writer-director Kip Oebanda’s was nominated for best screenplay in this year’s Gawad Urian for “Bar Boys.”
ML
Starring: Eddie Garcia, Tony Labrusca, Liane Valentin, Henz Villaraiz
Director: Benedict Mique
Carlo is a college student whose life takes an unexpected turn when he experienced the Martial Law cruelties one night. The old resident in his village, Colonel, was a former soldier during the Marcos regime who happened to torture student activists.
Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma
Starring: Juan Miguel Emmanuel Salvado, Junayka Sigrid Antarin, Star Orjaliza
Director: Iar Lionel Arondaing
In the middle of chaos in Mindanao, children are being born in harsh conditions due to war and the root of the Muslim culture called “Rido” or the clash between clans.
This is Iar Arondaing second full-length film entry after he submitted “Sa Gabing Nanahimik ang mga Kuliglig” in last year’s festival.
Pan De Salawal
Starring: Bodjie Pascua, Felix Roco, Anna Luna, Ruby Ruiz, Miel Espinosa, Soliman Cruz, Madeleine Nicolas, Ruby Ruiz, Ian Lomongo, JM Salvado and Lorenzo Aguila
Director: Che Espiritu
Pan de Salawal is about a lonely baker named Sal, who has chronic kidney stones and feels that he wants to die. He hopes for a miracle, along with his neighbors by the railroads, who are battling for dear life as well.
Distance
Starring: Iza Calzado, Nonie Buencamino, Max Eigenmann ,Adrianna So, Timothy Castillo, Teri Malvar
Director: Perci Intalan
This drama film tells the story a wife who comes home to be reunited with the husband and children that she turned her back on years before.
School Service
Starring: Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Celine Juan, Joel Lamangan, Kevin Sagra, Therese Malvar, Joe Gruta, Kenken Nuyad, Felixia Dizon, Ace Café, Santino Oquendo
Director: Louie Ignacio
Through the eyes of Maya, we see the conditions of these kept children, along with the other children living in the streets. All day long, they run after people, cars, buses, and jeeps, just to ask for money. They do things not fit for their age in exchange for a few coins. They do all kinds of tactics just to survive and just to have a better life. And every day, it’s like chasing their dreams and freedom–it never happens. It is never enough.
This is the second film of Ai-Ai as lead actress in Cinemalaya after “Ronda” while the second film of Director Louie Ignacio in the festival after “Asintado.”
The Lookout
Starring: Yayo Aguila, Andres Vasquez, Jay Garcia, Elle Ramirez.
Director: Afi Africa
George is only seven years old and a victim of child trafficking. He vows to return to his mother (who sold him and his sibling to meet financial demands of her live-in partner) and her boyfriend to make them pay for what they did.
Under the short film category, the following are the competing entries:
BABYLON by Keith Deligero
JODILERKS DELA CRUZ, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH by Carlo Francisco Manatad
KIKO by Jojo Driz
LOGRO by Kani Villaflor
NANGUNGUPAHAN (WHO RENTS THERE NOW?) by Glenn Barit
SA SAIYANG ISLA (IN HIS ISLAND)by Christian Candelaria
SI ASTRI MAKA SI TAMBULAH (ASTRI AND TAMBULAH) by Xeph Suarez
SIYUDAD SA BULAWAN (CITY OF GOLD) by Jarell Serencio
YAKAP (EMBRACE) by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan Jr.
YOU, ME AND MR. WIGGLES by Jav Velasco
These full-length and short feature films will be screened at various CCP venues and in select Ayala cinemas from August 3-12, 2018.
