14 movies for P14

FOURTEEN Filipino movies for P14 starting Nov. 14 is what movie booking platform GMovies is offering for the next two weeks as part of the lead up to the first online version of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), according to a Globe executive.

“In today’s environment, while we acknowledge the many challenges the pandemic [has given us], we will once again deliver an alternative digital solution for our consumers,” Alfred Larazzabal, chief commercial officer of Globe Telecom, said in a press conference on Nov. 14 held via Zoom.

The program, called GMovies 14on14, was made in partnership with streaming service Upstream. It is meant to provide the moviegoing public a different way of consuming content while staying at the comfort of their homes. It should also be noted that this may well be a dry run of what this year’s MMFF will be like as Globe Telecom and Upstream are the festival’s official partners.

Aside from the MMFF, Upstream and GMovies are also the official partners of the online edition of the QCinema International Film Festival.

The MMFF runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7 while this year’s QCinema runs from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6.

Upstream is a new streaming service that was created by film producer Dondon Monteverde and director Erik Matti in March. Mr. Monteverde and Mr. Matti also have their own production company, Reality Entertainment

“After the lockdown, we realized that things will not open up soon for the country… we [Mr. Monteverde and Mr. Matti] started talking about what to do with the films in the can. We probably have five movies in the can and no cinemas to show it [in],” Mr. Matti said during the press conference.

And so they decided to create Upstream, touted as a streaming service for Filipinos by Filipinos.

“We’re pretty sure that there’s a lot of content producers out there that have a lot of content but nowhere to show it,” Mr. Matti added before explaining that “over the years, content producers have been at the mercy of where we could show our films,” and Upstream is a way of taking back that control.

“We envision Upstream as a place where all content producers are welcome. Content in the Philippines is so diverse and we want that diversity to come out in Upstream,” he said.

And that dream of showing the diversity of Filipino content is seen in the 14 films presented in the program. Mr. Matti described the slate as a way of showing the evolution of Filipino filmmaking.

The 14 films are all from Regal Entertainment — Mr. Monteverde is the son of the Regal Entertainment owner Lily “Mother Lily” Monteverde — and cut across several genres including “trendy, campy, serious, and art house,” according to a press release.

The films are: Shake, Rattle and Roll 3 (1991) by Lore Reyes and Peque Gallaga; Ang Babaeng Putik (2000) by Rico Maria Ilarde; The Debutantes (2017) by Prime Cruz; Dahas (1995) by Chito S. Roño; Woke Up Like This (2017) by John Elbert Ferrer; Bala at Lipstick (1994) by Maryo J. Delos Reyes; Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle (1989) by Tony Y. Reyes; Daddy’s Little Darlings (1984) by Luciano B. Carlos; Rakenrol (2011) by Quark Henares; Diliryo (1996) by Uro Q. Dela Cruz; Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (2011) by Jun L. Lana; Inday Bote at ang Mahiwagang Bibe (1985) by Luciano B. Carlos; Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992) by Maryo J. Delos Reyes; and Bihagin: Bilibid Boys (1981) by Ishmael Bernal.

Aside from the 14 films, Upstream will be showing a retrospective of MMFF films from Dec. 7 to 24.

GMovies and Upstream will also be donating to the victims of Typhoons Rolly (international name: Goni) and Ulysses (Vamco) via the Ayala Foundation’s Project Pananagutan. Those who are interested to donate can do so by visiting ayalafoundation.org/donate or through GCash and the Globe Rewards App.

Access the films of GMovies 14on14 by visiting Upstream.ph and get your tickets by visiting GMovies.ph or download the GMovies app available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. — Zsarlene B. Chua