Metro Manila, Philippines – Eight movies will be screened in cinemas as the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) kicked off on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Comedy, romance
Returning to the grand festival is comedy superstar Vice Ganda, who stars with award-winning actress Nadine Lustre in ‘Call Me Mother.’
Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the comedy-drama movie follows the story of a queer parent who plans to legally adopt his son. Complications arise when his biological mother suddenly arrives.
The movie marks Vice and Nadine’s reunion film in a decade, after starring in the 2015 MMFF blockbuster hit “Beauty and the Bestie.”
Pinoy Big Brother alumni Will Ashley, Dustin Yu, and Bianca de Vera will also bring their love triangle on the big screen via the romantic comedy “Love You So Bad.”
The film, directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, centers on a woman finding herself torn between two men with different personalities.
Also touching the hearts of moviegoers is ‘I’m Perfect’, a film that revolves around the relationship of two adults with down syndrome.
The movie stars people with down syndrome, Earl Jonathan Amaba and Anne Krystel Daphne Go. It features a powerhouse supporting cast, including Janice de Belen, Sylvia Sanchez, and Lorna Tolentino.
Dramas
Angelica Panganiban returns to the big screen, together with Zanjoe Marudo in “Unmarry.”
The film tells the story of two people who are in the process of seeking annulment from their respective marriages.
The sequel to the law school drama “Bar Boys” will also hit cinemas this holiday season.
Directed by Kip Oebanda, “Bar Boys: After School” tackles the life of Torran, Erik, Chris, and Josh – 10 years after law school.
Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Kean Cipriano, and Enzo Pineda reprise their respective roles. They are joined by new cast members including Will Ashley, Emilio Daez, and Klarisse De Guzman.
Family drama film “Rekonek” will also take center stage at this year’s MMFF with an ensemble cast.
The film, starring Gerald Anderson, Bela Padilla, and Andrea Brillantes, among others, gives a peek at how families cope with an internet outage.
Horror, crime thriller
The classic “Shake, Rattle and Roll” franchise also returns with a powerhouse cast.
Titled “Shake, Rattle and Roll Evil Origins,” the horror movie is set on different timelines – the Spanish colonial period in 1775, the current year, and 2050.
The film is topbilled by Richard Gutierrez, Ivana Alawi, Carla Abellana, Francine Diaz, and Seth Fedelin, among others.
Award winning actor Piolo Pascual is also making his MMFF comeback via the crime thriller “Manila’s Finest.”
Set in 1969, the movie follows a group of police officers in Manila’s police district.
The movie also stars Enrique Gil and Cedrick Juan, among others.
