Moonlight Over Baler (February 8)
Directed by Gil M. Portes, written by Enrique V. Ramos
Starring Elizabeth Oropesa, Vin Abrenica, Ellen Adarna and Sophie Albert
Fresh off last year’s historical epic Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli, director Gil M. Portes and writer Enrique V. Ramos reunite for a romantic drama that about two love stories four decades apart. Set in the 1980s, legendary actress Elizabeth Oropesa plays Fidela, a retired schoolteacher who forms a bond with Japanese reporter Kenji (Vin Abrenica), who has an uncanny resemblance with her old fiancé Nestor (also Abrenica), who died during the second World War. Kenji meets and falls in love with a woman named Rory (Ellen Adarna), and Fidela encourages him to pursue her. Sophie Albert plays the young Fidela.
As the film alternates between Fidela & Nestor and Kenji & Rory, the Ilokano folk song “O Maliwanag na Buwan” and the gorgeous backdrop of Baler unite both stories. And while Hermano Puli narrated history, Portes has said that the premise of Moonlight Over Baler was inspired by real-life events – his aunt was the basis of Fidela’s story – that adds a personal and poignant touch to the movie.
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MoonlightBaler
I’m Drunk, I Love You (February 15)
Directed by JP Habac, written by JP Habac and Giancarlo Abrahan
Starring Paulo Avelino, Maja Salvador, Dominic Roco, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Irma Adlawan and Jim Paredes
Days before graduating from college, two best friends (Paulo Avelino and Maja Salvador) decide to go on a road trip and settle their feelings for one another. It’s the next release from TBA (Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment and Artikulo Uno Productions) following the sleeper hit Heneral Luna and the criminally underseen Patintero: Ang Alamat ni Meng Patalo. I’m Drunk, I Love You reunites Bridges of Love co-stars Avelino and Salvador, but based on its trailer that debuted in front of several MMFF movies, it’ll explore love beyond the usual teleserye.
The trailer, which features hugot lines, vintage camera and bagnet, reveals that the movie features music from artists such as Parokya Ni Edgar, Ebe Dancel, Ang Bandang Shirley, and Bullet Dumas, with the score composed by Heneral Luna director Jerrold Tarog.
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ImDrunkILoveYou
Ang Larawan (September 2017)
Directed by Loy Arcenas, written by Rolando Tinio, based on the play by Nick Joaquin
Starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro, Robert Arevalo, Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Paulo Avelino
Finally, a Filipino musical film! Ang Larawan, the musical written by Rolando Tinio and adapted from Nick Joaquin’s iconic play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, makes the leap to the big screen in September. With award winning Broadway director Loy Arcenas at the helm and iconic composer Ryan Cayabyab scoring the music, Ang Larawan features two sisters, Candida (West End actress Joanna Ampil) and Paula (Rachel Alejandro, reprising her role from the original production) who have to cope with financial trouble when their father, popular artist Don Lorenzo Marasigan, becomes a recluse and stops painting.
Aside from the appearances of seasoned theater actors Nonie Buencamino and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Ang Larawan also boasts appearances from A-listers, thespians and actors such as Paulo Avelino, Noel Trinidad, Ogie Alcasid, Nanette Inventor, Dulce, and even the original Candida and Paula, Celeste Legaspi and Zsa Zsa Padilla.
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AngLarawanTheMovie
Check out their official website: https://anglarawan.com/
Smaller and Smaller Circles (TBA 2017)
Directed by Raya Martin, written by Ria Limjap and Moira Lang, based on the novel by F.H. Batacan
Starring Nonie Buencamino, Sid Lucero, Carla Humphries, Christopher de Leon, Bembol Roco, Ricky Davao, Tessie Tomas, Jess Mendoza, TJ Trinidad, Raffy Tejada and Erlinda Villalobos
(Image from Smaller and Smaller Circles Facebook page)
F.H. Bataclan’s Smaller and Smaller Circles, the first Filipino crime fiction novel, gets the long-awaited big-screen treatment this year. Nonie Buencamino and Sid Lucero bring to life Fr. Jerome Lucero and Fr. Gus Saenz, two Jesuit priests who, with the help of journalist Joanna Bonifacio (Carla Humphries), are tasked to solve the murders of several boys in Payatas. It’s yet another release from TBA, and features appearances from veteran actors Christopher de Leon, Bembol Roco and Ricky Davao (the trailer of the film was attached to MMFF 2016 movies and Ignacio de Loyola, but hasn’t been released online yet).
Smaller and Smaller Circles not only explores the mind of a serial killer and tackles subjects like science and faith, but also takes aim at religious institutions and the police force, with themes that are universal and relevant in today’s age. And despite being set in the ‘90s, one character describes victims with “their heads wrapped in t-shirts, their hands bound, [and] a sign left on top of their bodies saying if they were rapists, killers or pushers.” Sounds familiar?
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/smallerandsmallercircles
Tayo, sa Huling Buwan ng Taon (TBA 2017)
Written and directed by Nestor Abrogena
Starring Nicco Manalo, Emmanuelle Vera, Sandino Martin, Anna J. Luna and Brian Gabriel Corella
(Image from Tayo, Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon Facebook page)
Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa was a slow-paced and restrained, yet sincere look at two young lovers, Sam (Nicco Manalo) and Isa (Emmanuelle Vera), who have to navigate the complications of their unraveling relationship. We got to know the backgrounds of both characters as the movie unfolded, and the film ended with a surprising plot twist and an open-ended conclusion. It enjoyed a successful limited theatrical run late last year.
Writer-director Nestor Abrogena intends to continue the story Sam and Isa with Tayo, Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon, with Manalo and Vera reprising their roles for the film. Although the sequel is set five years later, plot details have been scarce, however a trailer has been teased to come out soon.
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Tayo-Sa-Huling-Buwan-Ng-Taon-103683043399244/
Darna (TBA 2017)
Directed by Erik Matti, written by Ays de Guzman
(Image from ABS-CBN News)
The new adaptation based on the iconic Filipino comic book character has been in development since the rights were given to ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema in 2013. Seklusyon and On the Job director Erik Matti is slated to helm the movie, with Ays de Guzman writing the screenplay. Angel Locsin was supposed to reprise her role from the 2005 GMA television series, but had to back out in 2015 after developing a disc bulge in her spine.
Other than a surprise trailer that was released in front of the movies of MMFF 2015, and a proposed 2017 release by Star Cinema, there hasn’t been much news about the film, though. There have been rumors that not only would Sarah Lahbati would play Darna’s archnemesis Valentina, but that Locsin, having recovered from her injury, would return to the role. Here’s to hoping we’ll get more news on this soon!
Check out our other lists on movies we’re looking forward to in 2017:
