From Aug. 16-22, no Hollywood or foreign films will be screened in cinemas nationwide to make way for the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in order to promote Filipino films.
Instead 12 films will be shown, namely: Birdshot by Mikhail Red, 100 Tula para kay Stella by Jason Paul Laxamana, Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B by Prime Cruz, AWOL by Enzo Williams, Bar Boys by Kip Oebanda, Hamog by Ralston Jover, Paglipay by Zig Dulay, Patay na si Hesus by Victor Villanueva, Pauwi Na by Paolo Villaluna, Salvage by Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Star na si Van Damme Stallone by Randolph Longjas, and Triptiko by Miguel Franco Michelena.
The Festival was created “in hopes to provide more avenues to local films and producers,” said FDCP chairwoman and CEO, Mary Liza Diño-Seguerra during a press conference last May.
Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B
A manananggal — a creature that looks human until it separates at night looking for victims — falls in love with a broken-hearted guy. Directed by Prime Cruz, it stars Martin del Rosario and Ryza Cenon.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
AWOL
Gerald Anderson stars in this action movie, megged by Enzo Williams, about an Army sniper goes after the man behind an attempt on his life and his loved ones.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
100 Tula Para Kay Stella
Viva Films presentation featuring Bela Padilla and JC Santos, under the direction of Jason Paul Laxamana, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella is a bittersweet romance about a shy boy with a speech impediment who is inspired to write 100 poems for his classmate, an aspiring Goth rock star.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Star Na Si Van Damme Stallone
A comedy-drama about Van Damme Stallone, a boy with Down Syndrome who dreams of becoming a film actor and how his family try to make his dreams come true. Directed by Randolph Longjas and starring Candy Pangilinan, Jadford Dilanco, and Paolo Pingol, the film took third place at the Cinefilipino Film Festival in 2016, with Pangilinan tieing with Angeli Bayani (Ned’s Project) as Best Actress and Isaac Cain Aguirre winning Best Supporting Actor. “The balancing act that Randolph Longjas commits to in Van Damme Stallone is impressive… a film of admirable restraint,” writes Oggs Medina of Rappler.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Bar Boys
A comedy-drama about four struggling law students trying to pass the bar. Written and directed by Kip Oebanda, it stars Carlo Aquino, Kean Cipriano, and Rocco Nacino.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Paglipay
This drama follows an Aeta whose life changes when he meets a city girl. Written and directed by Zig Dulay, it stars Garry Cabalic and Joan dela Cruz. The film got 19 nominations at the 2017 Gawad Urian Awards.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Triptiko
An anthology of stories about how life can sometimes take unexpected turns, written and directed by Miguel Franco Michelena. The stories follow a boy on the run for his life, a model with a mysterious disease, and a fold singer’s girlfriend and her mysterious transformation. The film stars Albie Casino, Joseph Marco, Art Acuña, and Kean Cipriano.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Pauwi Na
Bembol Roco and Cherry Pie Picache star in this film about Mang Pepe and his wife, their daughter, their son with his pregnant blind wife, and their dog on a road trip from Quezon City to back to Bicol in a pedicab. A series of unfortunate events occur that will either test their determination or distract them from their journey home. The film, which won Best Picture in the Shanghai International Film Festival 2017, was directed by Paolo Villaluna.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
