MMFF 2014: Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo

(We are running this guide to help moviegoers plan their holiday cinema tour. The 40th Metro Manila Film Festival runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2015.)

Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo

VINA Morales and Robin Padilla

Directed by Enzo Williams; stars Robin Padilla, Vina Morales, Daniel Padilla, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Eddie Garcia, Isko Moreno, Jericho Rosales, Rommel Padilla, RJ Padilla, Isabel Oli, Ping Medina, Joem Bascon, Cholo Barretto, Jun-Jun Quintana

Actor Robin Padilla, who portrays the titular character Andres Bonifacio, says he hopes to show, through the film, that there was more to the revolutionary hero than being brave and brash—qualities that most people associate with the beloved historical figure.

“Bonifacio was also smart, loving and prayerful,” Padilla notes. “Before he became leader, he was a follower.”

Aside from chronicling the events leading to Bonifacio’s tragic demise, the movie likewise touches on the hero’s relationships, particularly the one he had with his second wife, Gregoria de Jesus, played by Padilla’s former flame, Vina Morales.

Director Enzo Williams relates that he did six months of research prior to working on the movie, which was shot entirely with the state-of-the-art Arri Alexa camera system—the same motion-picture technology used in such films as “Gravity,” “Life of Pi,” “The Avengers” and “World War Z.” Allan Policarpio