Metro Manila Film Festival is on its 41st year in bringing joy this Christmas season. Eight films will be shown nationwide starting December 25, 2015. The legacy continues in the 6th MMFF New Wave Film Festival with five shorts, five animation finalists and five full-feature indie films in competition that will be screened from December 17-24, 2015 at the SM Megamall, Glorietta 4 and Robinsons Ermita-Midtown. Read more for the complete list and please like The Movie Bud for more updates.
#WalangForever
Starring: Jennylyn Mercado, Jericho Rosales
With: Lorna Tolentino, Matet de Leon, Jerald Napoles, Nico Antonio, Pepe Herrera, Cai Cortez, Kim Molina, Juan Miguel Severo, Sebastian Castro
Screenplay by: Paul Sta. Ana
Directed by: Dan Villegas
Expectations: With the charismatic Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales on the leads and Dan Villegas on the director's chair, #WalangForever can become the dark horse of the competition like what happened with last year's English Only, Please.
MY BEBE LOVE #KiligPaMore
Starring: Vic Sotto, Ai Ai delas Alas, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza
With: Arlene Muhlach, Valeen Montenegro, Ryan Yllana
Directed by: Jose Javier Reyes
Expectations: #ALDUBKiligOverload. Many will ignore My Bebe Love's worn-out story and focus on the sensational love team's charming presence and comedic timing. Well, as long as the movie is fun, I'm down with that. I still see some hope even if the poster and trailers look effortless because of Jose Javier Reyes and Vic Sotto's new businessman look.
BUY NOW, DIE LATER
Starring: Vhong Navarro, Alex Gonzaga, TJ Trinidad, John Lapus, Rayver Cruz, Lotlot de Leon, Janine Gutierrez
With: Jayson Gainza, Cai Cortez, Markki Stroem, Manuel Chua
Music by: Jerrold Tarog
Screenplay by: Ronald Allan Habon
Directed by: Randolph Longjas
Expectations: Buy Now, Die Later is my most awaited entry and the first film that I will watch this Christmas. Tradisyon na kasi namin manood ng horror movie kapag Pasko, maliban noong Pagpag. It's from the makers of Heneral Luna so expect quality. The story looks great, almost resembling to Chito Rono's films. Hoping to see some thrilling sequences and unique kills. I'm highly excited for TJ Trinidad's scenes.
Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59dUJs2S4Ps
ALL YOU NEED IS PAG-IBIG
Starring: Kris Aquino, Derek Ramsey, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, Ronaldo Valdez, Pokwang, Nova Villa
With: Bimby Aquino-Yap, Julia and Talia Concio
Directed by: Antoinette Jadaone
Expectations: It's exciting to see what Antoinette Jadaone can do with a large ensemble. Expect hugot quotes and tactless characters from All You Need is Pag-Ibig. I'm looking forward most to Nova Villa and Ronaldo Valdez's arc. POWERFUL!
Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvX58XGqnT8
NILALANG
Starring: Cesar Montano, Maria Ozawa
With: Meg Imperial, Yam Concepcion, Kiko Matos, Dido de la Paz, Troy Montero, Pocholo Barretto, Roxanne Barcelo, Aubrey Miles
Directed by: Pedring Lopez
Expectations: Blood, bondage, Maria Ozawa and a lot of surreal shit. Nilalang looks like a promising action film that pays homage to the classic grotesque Japanese films.
Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUiij2o3NpU
HAUNTED MANSION
Starring: Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce, Janice de Belen, Iza Calzado
With: Dominic Ochoa , LJ Reyes, Joem Bascon, Sharlene San Pedro, Ingrid dela Paz, Eliza Pineda, Phytos Ramirez, Paolo Gumabao, Vangie Labalan, Sue Prado, Archie Adamos
Screenplay by: Jun Robles Lana and Elmer Gatchalian
Directed by Jun Robles Lana
Expectations: Jun Lana has a good taste for horror and mystery. This looks like his Dormitoryo series in GMA, which I really liked. Don't count Haunted Mansion out.
BEAUTY AND THE BESTIE
Starring: Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, James Reid, Nadine Lustre
With: Karla Estrada, Ryan Bang, Baji Mortiz, Alonzo Muhlach, Marco Masa, Lassy Marquez, MC Calaquian
Directed by: Wenn V. Deramas
Expectations: Beauty and the Bestie can become one of the needles in Wenn Deramas' haystack of crappy mainstream movies. The trailer looks like an action-comedy that Dolphy usually did in the 90's. Coco Martin and JaDine can do comedy. This might work, hopefully.
Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh5VWtX3muw
HONOR THY FATHER
Starring: John Lloyd Cruz, Meryll Soriano, Dan Fernandez, Tirzo Cruz III
With: Perla Bautista, Khalil Ramos, William Martinez, Lander Vera Perez, Boom Labrusca
Screenplay by: Michiko Yamamoto
Directed by: Erik Matti
Expectations: Honor Thy Father has already made a buzz a few months ago in its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The makers of OTJ are back so expect an intense movie. It's also a great JLC debut at the indie scene according to some critics. Let's see if this will bag the awards this year. Meanwhile, I hope that Hermano Pule (the film replaced by HTF) will be finished and shown next year.
Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MwgB4Jk8j0
(Click to enlarge photo)
ARI: MY LIFE WITH A KING
- A story of a Kapampangan youth who doesn't know or want to speak in Kapampangan, until he runs into a compelling but weird character known as the king of Kapampangan potes.
Directed by: Carlo Enciso Catu
TOTO
- When a young Filipino room service attendant's schemes to attain a U.S. visa put the lives of his loved one in danger, he is forced to question the extremity of his actions and re-evaluate the cost of fulfilling his dreams.
Directed by: John Paul Su
TANDEM
- In the traffic-laden streets of Metro Manila, two brothers use the chaos of the city roads as a smokescreen for their shady occupation. But when a robbery goes sour, the brothers are forced to graduate from low-level thieves to high profile hit-men in an act that tests both their resolve and their relationship.
Directed by: King Palisoc
MANDIRIGMA
- A legacy film about the Philippine Marines. It tells the story of no one in particularly but that of victory and defeat as necessary steps in the attainment and fulfillment of peace.
Directed by: Arlyn dela Cruz
Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBg-fFizi1A
TURO-TURO
- An inspiring and beautiful drama film which tackles issues about illiteracy.
Directed by: RayAn Dulay
Offical posters for the MMFF Nationwide release entries are below.
Spread the word and have yourself a merry movie Christmas!
