“Family Matters” cast with director Nuel Naval
(We are running this guide to help you plan your holiday movie-viewing activity. The 48th Metro Manila Film Festival, or MMFF, runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2023.)
Directed by Nuel Naval; written by Mel Mendoza del Rosario; stars Noel Trinidad, Liza Lorena, Nonie Buencamino, Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon, James Blanco, Nikki Valdez, JC Santos, Ina Feleo, Ketchup Eusebio, Ian Pangilinan, Roxanne Guinoo and Ana Luna; produced by Cineko Productions.
This intimate drama follows the lives of a senior couple and their children, and shows how a single event can set off a cascade of changes within the family dynamic.
Francisco (Noel) and Eleanor (Liza) are parents to four children: Kiko (Nonie) the successful eldest son; Fortune (Mylene), the homemaker; Ellen (Nikki), the unmarried daughter; and Enrico (JC), the happy-go-lucky son.
Scene from “Family Matters”
Chance at love
One day, Ellen, who acts as the primary caregiver for the frail family patriarch, decides to fly to the United States for a chance at love. But because Francisco refuses to be taken care of by a nonfamily member, the remaining siblings anxiously decide to take turns looking after their father and supporting their mother.
Inevitably, the new family setup creates tension and brings back past conflicts.
“For me, this is the right time for this film. The pandemic made us realize how fleeting life is, so we must make the most of our time with our family. Let’s cherish our loved ones. And let’s do it now—don’t wait for tomorrow. I feel like we need a movie like this right now,” Naval said of “Family Matters,” whose trailer has amassed more than 35 million views across different social media platforms.
“But it also has light and funny moments … it shows situations many Filipinos find themselves in,” he added. “It’s the story of every Filipino family.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO