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A Simple Guide to the 8 Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 Entries
MMFF 2017 promises old favorites and new tastes alike.
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | December 20, 2017
After the all-indie stunt of last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which gained a mixed reaction and reception from the public, the MMFF committee is pushing to remove the divide between indie and commercial entries this year. Aside from the different genres to look forward to, there would be comeback films from MMFF staples such as Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto as well. Below are the eight MMFF 2017 entries to choose from when the festival runs from December 25 to January 7.
1. All of You
Genre/s: Romantic comedy
Cast: Jennylyn Mercado, Derek Ramsay, Sam Milby, Rafael Rosell, and Solenn Heussaff
The movie is directed by Dan Villegas, who also directed English Only, Please.
All of You will serve as a reunion movie for Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay after the success of their MMFF 2014 entry English Only, Please, which gained Jennylyn a best actress award. This romantic comedy film is about a couple who met through a dating app and the whole plot of the movie revolves around their ensuing love story. Darren Espanto from The Voice Kids lends his voice to sing the film’s theme song: “Dying Inside.”
2. Gandarrapiddo! The Revenger Squad
Genre/s: Action-Comedy
Cast: Daniel Padilla, Vice Ganda, Pia Wurtzbach, Karla Estrada, RK Bagatsing, Loisa Andalio, and Ejay Falcon
The movie is directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal.
MMFF, for some people, cater to the younger audience, which is why Gandarrapiddo! The Revenger Squad is among the more anticipated films from this year’s selection. The movie is action-packed with Vice Ganda and the cast acting as superheroes who will defend the Earth from out-of-this-world threats.
Besides the return of Vice Ganda to the MMFF, the film also features “Teen King” Daniel Padilla, one-half of the famous love team KathNiel, and the return of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach into acting. Daniel Padilla’s love team partner Kathryn Bernardo is rumored to have a small cameo in the film.
3. Ang Panday (The Blacksmith)
Genre/s: Action-fantasy
Cast: Coco Martin, Jake Cuenca, Gloria Romero, Jaime Fabregas, Awra Briguela, Julio Diaz, Elisse Joson, and McCoy De Leon
The movie is directed by Rodel Nacianceno, also known as Coco Martin.
Carlo J. Caparas’ Ang Panday has been adapted for television and film many times and the MMFF is no stranger to these reincarnations. Now, six years since the last Panday movie that starred Bong Revilla, the iconic local comic book character is returning to the big screen.
Coco Martin plays Flavio III, the grandson of the original Panday (blacksmith). The story follows him as he discovers that his lineage is the chosen protectors of humanity against the evil mishaps of Lizardo (Jake Cuenca) and otherworldly beings that have come to bring havoc to the Earth. As Flavio III travels across many dimensions and worlds to fight evil beings, he will get to meet some characters and possible allies along the way.
4. Meant to Beh
Genre/s: Family-Comedy
Cast: Dawn Zulueta, Vic Sotto, JC Santos, Daniel Matsunaga, Sue Ramirez, Andrea Torres, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid, and Baste
The movie is directed by Chris Martinez.
Network rivalry was temporarily set aside as stars from both GMA and ABS-CBN worked side by side as a family in Meant to Beh. Dawn Zulueta and Vic Sotto play a couple who are trying to make their family live harmoniously and are working on their marriage. Zulueta and Sotto previously worked together on Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! back in 1995. There will be cameos from Dabarkads such as Maine Mendoza, Alden Richards, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, and Jose Manalo.
5. Deadma Walking
Genre/s: Comedy, drama, musical
Cast: Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman
The movie is directed by Julius Alfonso.
The concept of death meets a funny twist in Deadma Walking. This comedic take on a subject so grim captured the interest of netizens and garnered a Grade A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board. In the story, Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman play two best friends whose friendship gets put to the test. The movie follows their story as one of them gets terminally ill and asks the other to stage his fake death just to see what their other friends would say about him.
Local celebrities such as Gerald Anderson, Sue Ramirez, Vin Abrenica, Eugene Domingo, Dimples Romana, and Candy Pangilinan are also in the film with supporting roles.
6. Haunted Forest
Genre/s: Horror, thriller
Cast: Jameson Blake, Jane Oineza, Maris Racal, Jon Lucas, Joey Marquez, and Raymart Santiago
The movie is directed by Ian Loreños.
The only horror movie among the entries is the Regal Films-produced The Haunted Forest. The story focuses on Aris (Raymart Santiago) investigating a series of murder cases that are similar to what happened to his childhood friend. Unbeknownst to him, his own daughter Nica (Jane Oineza) is also beginning to experience weird things after going on an outing with her friends.
7. Siargao
Genre/s: Romantic-comedy, drama
Cast: Erich Gonzales, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Jericho Rosales
The movie is directed by Paul Soriano.
While the trailer does not give away too much about the plot of the movie, the cinematography seems to be enough to keep viewers captivated. Paul Soriano’s beautiful shots of Siargao do justice to the surfing capital of the Philippines as the three characters played by Erich Gonzales, Jericho Rosales, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith navigate personal struggles within themselves.
The film is also notably Paul Soriano’s first effort in directing a romantic-drama film.
8. Ang Larawan (The Portrait)
Genre/s: Musical, drama
Cast: Joanna Ampil, Paolo Avelino, Rachel Alejandro, Sandino Martin, and Cris Villonco
The movie is directed by Loy Arcenas.
Based on National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin’s three-act English play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, Ang Larawan is about the dilemma of Candida and Paula Marasigan, two sisters living in Intramuros at the dawn of World War II.
When their father failed to produce a single painting after a long time, the siblings underwent financial troubles. The two then took in a boarder, Tony Javier, to have a source of income. After their father’s self-portrait gained the attention of some art critics, journalists, family friend Bitoy Camacho, and Senator Perico, the seasoned painter became a recluse.
The original play has been staged previously with compositions by celebrated Filipino music composer Ryan Cayabyab.
Tips in preparing for MMFF 2017:
• Check the schedules of the screenings as you buy your tickets to see which time fits your schedule the best.
• Double-check the dates and times of the events and your own schedule to see if you need to make adjustments.
• To avoid unexpected inconveniences, check the rules and conditions of the venue.
• Adjust your travel time to consider the heavy traffic that you might encounter on the way.
• In recent years, MMFF has offered ticket discounts for students, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and senior citizens, so make sure to keep an eye out for a similar announcement this year.
The film selection this year is so diverse! Which one will you be watching? Tell us in the comments section below!
All photos were taken from the official Facebook pages of the movies.
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
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