Producers of first 5 MMFF entries under pressure to ‘make it right’

Representatives of the first five Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries, with MMFF organizers and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan (fifth from left) and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (seventh from left) —MARINEL CRUZ

More than achieving box-office success, the tremendous pressure felt by two producers—out of the five Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries that were announced on Tuesday—comes from wanting to make their films right.

Pepe Diokno, director of the entry “Himala, Isang Musikal,” explained: “Yes, we’re feeling the pressure. We want to get this right. Dapat talaga maganda. The source material is a classic. It is a collaboration of three National Artists for Film: director Ishmael Bernal, writer Ricky Lee and actor Nora Aunor.”

The movie “Himala” was released in 1982. Some years later, Lee turned it into a stage musical with the music of Vince de Jesus, Diokno noted. “It has been staged at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines), and twice in Makati, with the latest staging featuring Aicelle (Santos) and Bituin (Escalante). That’s the version that we will bring to film,” Diokno told Inquirer Entertainment shortly after the grand launch of the 50th edition of the MMFF held at Bulwagang Antonio Villegas, inside the Manila City Hall.

“Himala” is a production of Kapitol Films and UXS. The other festival finalists are the following: Zig Dulay’s “Green Bones,” starring Dennis Trillo for GMA Pictures; Kerwin Go’s “Strange Frequencies: Haunted Hospital,” featuring Enrique Gil and Jane de Leon for Reality MM Studios; Michael Tuviera’s “The Kingdom,” with Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual for APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions and MQuest Ventures; and Jun Robles Lana’s “And the Breadwinner is…,” starring Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo for ABS-CBN Films and The IdeaFirst Company.

“Himala, Isang Musikal” director Pepe Diokno (right) and producer Madonna Tarrayo —MARINEL CRUZ

‘Kinarir talaga’

The remaining five entries will be announced in October, or two months before the festival’s two-week run that will begin on Christmas Day.

“We feel pressured in every movie that we make. More than its success at the box-office, we hope for people to like it,” said Perci Intalan, producer of “And the Breadwinner is…”

“This is why everyone in the production is working really hard to make this right, from Direk Jun to our award-winning cinematographer Carlo Mendoza, and our editor Benjamin Tolentino. Even Vice is making sure that his overall look on this project is perfect. Kinarir talaga!”

Intalan continued: “Jun and Meme (Vice Ganda’s nickname) sat down to talk about both the dramatic and comedic parts of the film. There’s drama because Vice plays a character that’s grounded, one who is a breadwinner and an OFW (overseas Filipino worker). We all know how Direk Jun works. It’s important for him that a character is whole and solid.”

“We also feel pressured because everyone seems to expect Vice to win an award for this,” Intalan added. “We’re thankful that a lot of our projects resulted in awards for Tito Eddie (Garcia, ‘Bwakaw’), Eugene (Domingo, ‘Barber’s Tale’), LJ (Reyes, ‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan’) and Paolo (Ballesteros, ‘Die Beautiful’). As for Jun, he would always say, ‘I hope they won’t rely on me for that, but I will do my best.’ Based on what I’ve observed, from Vice’s preparations to his collaboration with his director, it seems that he is on the right path. It’s similar to what I saw when Direk Jun worked with Tito Eddie, Uge and Paolo. I’m just happy that they gel together,” Intalan said.

Piolo Pascual costars with Vic Sotto in “The Kingdom.” —PIOLO PASCUAL/INSTAGRAM

Kickoff event

The event on Tuesday served as the kickoff of the festival’s 50th edition, which carries the theme “Sine-Sigla sa Singkwenta.” It highlighted the MMFF’s significant contribution to the local film industry, as well as its role in bolstering the country’s creative economy by generating jobs. First lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was the event’s guest of honor. It was also attended by Honey Lacuna-Pangan, mayor of Manila, which serves as the host city this year.

The ceremony was led by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Romando Artes and MMFF selection committee head Boots Anson-Rodrigo. “I just want to mention that since 2016, the amusement tax has been waived by our LGUs (local government units) for the MMFF and is given 100 percent to its beneficiaries, particularly the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Film Academy of the Philippines, Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Optical Media Board and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. This is a form of support to our hardworking industry workers,” declared Artes. The MMDA is the overall organizer of the MMFF.

Vice Ganda (right) with Jun Robles Lana, director of “And the Breadwinner is…” —VICE GANDA/INSTAGRAM

Monthly activities

Hosts Jake Ejercito and Isabelle Daza announced the series of monthly activities planned to commemorate the MMFF’s milestone anniversary. Scheduled in August is the launch of the MMFF posters mural, while in September, the “Sine-Singkwenta,” which features 50 selected movies to be shown in theaters for only P50.

In October, they will stage the “regional launch” of “#MMFF50,” including a student film caravan at the University of Manila. This will feature a two-day masterclass on directing, acting, cinematography and scriptwriting for 100 senior high school and college students. Additionally, there will also be a celebrity golf tournament and an #MMFF50 masterclass with international Filipino screenwriters, producers and animators.

The annual Parade of the Stars will be on Dec. 15, while the “Movie Premiere” series will be from Dec. 15 to Dec. 20. There will be a Sponsors’ Night on Dec. 21, while the highly anticipated Gabi ng Parangal will be on Dec. 27.