Your Super guide to MMFF 2024
We are running this guide to help you plan your holiday movie-viewing activity. The 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, or MMFF, runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2025.
“My Future You”
Written and directed by Crisanto B. Aquino, stars Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Christian Vasquez, Almira Muhlach, Peewee O’Hara, Bodjie Pascua, Mosang, and Vance Larena; produced by Regal Films
This is a romantic story of two people, Lex (Fedelin) and Karen (Diaz), from different timelines, 15 years apart. They become magically connected through a dating app by the sudden appearance of a mysterious comet. As they grow close, Karen asks Lex to change key moments in the past to prevent her parents’ separation, not knowing that any change in the past leads to unforeseen consequences that can eventually alter their futures. In a last-ditch effort, Lex tries to set things right but then, there are some events that may already be beyond his control.
The film is special to its producer Roselle Monteverde because it was one of the last three projects that she worked on alongside her late mother, Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde. “The pandemic happened and then Mother passed away. It’s the company’s responsibility to make sure that people get to see this. We owe it to Mother,” Roselle told Super. “This is not your typical love story. It also shows how two characters try to help each other improve their lives regardless of time and space.” —Marinel Cruz
“Uninvited”
Directed by Dan Villegas; written by Dado Dayao; stars Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre, Nonie Buencamino, Gio Alvarez, Ketchup Eusebio, Cholo Barretto, RK Bagatsing, Gabby Padilla, Elijah Canlas, Ron Angeles, Mylene Dizon, Lotlot de Leon, and Tirso Cruz III; produced by Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Projects.
Eva Candelaria (Santos) has been waiting for this day for the past 10 years—the birthday party of Guilly Vega (Muhlach), the billionaire who brutally murdered her only daughter a decade ago and got away with the crime.
Eva arrives at the party disguised as a socialite, navigating it as she stalks every single person involved in her daughter’s murder, going through the ranks one by one until she gets to her main target. Unarmed, with no plan, Eva’s options dwindle as the night goes on. Will she see her mission through or die trying?
Santos, who was last year’s MMFF best actress for the dramatic piece “When I Met You in Tokyo,” said she felt both happy and surprised when she found out that she would be part of the festival again this year. “I’m also nervous for several reasons. First, because I’m part of a fantastic cast. Second, because this year is the golden anniversary of the MMFF, and this means the promotions will be equally challenging,” she told Super. —Marinel Cruz
“Topakk”
Directed by Richard V. Somes; Written by Somes, Jim Flores, and Will Fredo; starring Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Kokoy de Santos, Vin Abrenica, Paolo Paraiso and Enchong Dee; produced by Nathan Studios, Strawdog Studios, and FUSEE
Witnessing the death of his men in battle pushes Miguel (Atayde) to the edge. Filled with blood lust, he retaliates and single-handedly wipes out the enemy. Miguel continues to be haunted by the carnage after he gets discharged from the army, even now that he works as a warehouse security guard.
One evening, two drug peddlers (Montes and De Santos) sneak into the warehouse in order to hide from a group of vigilantes pursuing them. Miguel takes up the fight to protect them. Armed with a rusty shotgun, he whizzes through a gauntlet of fire and bullets. All hell breaks loose in a night when a tormented soul, a sinner, and a hoard of demons collide.
Some described Atayde as the nontraditional leading man. “Compared to others, he is not buff, he is soft-spoken and well-mannered,” the director told Super. “I asked him to study the performance of Robert de Niro in ‘Taxi Driver’ for this project. Arjo is a thinking actor. His attack on the character is so intense.”
Meanwhile, Somes said it surprised him that Montes agreed to become part of the project because her role is physically and mentally demanding. “This is the most antihero character she will ever do,” he pointed out. “She came prepared. Later, we learned that she got scratches because she had asked a stuntman to pull her hair for real in one action scene.” —Marinel Cruz
“And the Breadwinner is … ”
Directed by Jun Robles Lana; Written by Daisy Cayanan and Jonathan Albano; stars Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo, Jhong Hilario, Gladys Reyes, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, and Kokoy de Santos; produced by Star Cinema and The IdeaFirst Company
The film relates to the experiences of Bambi Salvador (Ganda), who works as an overseas Filipino worker in Taiwan. Bambi returns to his home province, Arayat, Pampanga, expecting to see the dream house that he has worked so hard for. Instead, he comes home to their dilapidated house. Even while disappointed at his family for their dishonesty, he decides to focus on restarting the family businesses—a bakery and a funeral parlor.
The film is a tribute to the unsung heroes who are carrying the weight of their loved ones’ dreams on their shoulders, according to producer Perci Intalan. “More than its success at the box-office, we hope for people to like the film. This is why everyone in the production worked hard to make sure everything is right. Even Vice made sure that his overall look on this project is perfect. Kinarir talaga!”
Ganda, who has had several film entries during the past years, said he is especially proud that “Breadwinner” is part of the MMFF’s golden year. “This is a milestone. When my producers were just starting to conceptualize the movie, they told me that this project will introduce a new Vice Ganda movie era. I’m glad that this personal milestone will coincide with the MMFF’s celebration,” the comedian said.
Meanwhile, Lana said that while audiences will be watching a different Vice Ganda in ‘Breadwinner,” he made sure that they will still see the same actor they’ve come to love and appreciate. “I made him face many challenges here. I’m glad he embraced all of them,” he declared. —Marinel Cruz
“Isang Himala”
Directed by Pepe Diokno; written by Diokno and Ricky Lee; stars Aicelle Santos, Bituin Escalante, David Ezra, and Kakki Teodoro; produced by Kapitol Films, UXS Inc.
The musical film is a new adaptation of the 1982 classic “Himala,” which is a collaboration among three National Artists for Film—director Ishmael Bernal, writer Ricky Lee, and actor Nora Aunor. This version by Diokno brings the audience back to Baryo Cupang where Elsa (Santos) is seen performing supposed miracles.
Diokno said it is actually based on the 2018 theatrical play “Himala: Isang Musikal,” which Lee also wrote, with music by Vince de Jesus. “It has been staged at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines), and twice in Makati, with the latest staging featuring Aicelle and Bituin. That’s the version that we will bring to film,” he told Super.
The script by Ricky Lee was inspired by a series of alleged Marian apparitions, which took place from 1966 to 1972 in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.
The magic of “Himala,” according to its producer Madonna Tarrayo, is that it still resonates to people even up to the present. The major changes in the film—compared to the musical—can be found in its structure. “Pepe and Sir Ricky changed some of the scene sequences, just so that the storytelling would be more effective,” she added. —Marinel Cruz
“Green Bones”
Directed by Zig Dulay; written by Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza; stars Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid; produced by GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs and Brightburn Entertainment
In this inspirational drama—brought by the same team that gave us last year’s best picture, “Firefly”—Trillo plays a man accused of killing his sister and niece. On the prison island he’s incarcerated in stands the majestic “Tree of Hope,” whose branches serve as a haven for handwritten notes containing simple wishes of persons deprived of liberty.
But just as Trillo’s character becomes eligible for parole, a new prison guard, played by Madrid, arrives and, for some reason, takes a peculiar interest in the former’s case. Madrid, who’s convinced that no one in the facility is capable of change, will do everything in his power to keep Trillo inside.
It is said that the presence of green bone fragments among cremated remains is proof of the deceased’s “goodness in life.” But the cynical Madrid believes that no such thing will be found on the island. —Allan Policarpio
“The Kingdom”
Directed by Mike Tuviera; written by Michael Ngu-nario; stars Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Sid Lucero, Cristine Reyes; Sue Ramirez; produced by APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures and Mzet
Vic Sotto usually makes a killing in the MMFF box-office via his customary comedy or superhero fare.
But this film — which marks Sotto’s return to the festival after a five-year absence — isn’t for laughs. A mix of fantasy, action and drama, “The Kingdom” in modern-day Kalayaan, an imagining of an uncolonized Philippines. He portrays Lakan Makisig, the land’s just and benevolent king whose life turns upside down, after the death of his wife who had long been his moral compass.
In recent interviews, Sotto admitted that doing a project without a hint of comedy was something out of his comfort zone. While he gets to stretch his acting chops once in a while for “Eat Bulaga’s!” yearly Lenten special, his upcoming film is a different challenge altogether — but one he readily embraced.
Pascual, on the other hand, couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Sotto for the very first time. The matinee idol plays a son of a disgraced royal guard. He’s part of the social caste Tinatwa (banished), and thus denied decent education and livelihood. Still, he remains a good man who refuses to turn a blind eye on injustices. —Allan Policarpio
“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”
Directed by Kerwin Go; written by Go, Dustin Celestino; Leovic Arceta; stars Enrique Gil, Jane Leon, Alexa Miro, MJ Lastimosa Rob Gomez; produced by Reality MM Studios, Creative Leaders Group 8
This found footage horror flick is a local adaptation of the 2018 South Korean film “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum.” The premise is largely untouched save for the setting. While the original takes place in an abandoned psychiatric facility in Korea, this version will take viewers to the Xinglin Hospital in Taiwan, whose now eerie rooms once bore witness to alleged scandals and malpractice.
Armed with cameras and other vlogging gear, a motley crew of Filipino celebrities-turned-amateur ghost hunters troop to the said hospital, where they record and live-stream their exploits to millions of people online. They come to the country’s “most haunted place” in search of the supernatural. And they do end up finding what they’re looking for.
According to co-producer Gil, a big fan of Halloween and horror movies growing up, the production forewent traditional filming equipment for action cameras, which the cast members themselves operated. The actors are their own camera crew. And that, for the actor said, creates a more immersive experience. —Allan Policarpio
“Espantaho”
Directed by Chito Roño; written by Chris Martinez; stars Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Janice de Belen, JC Santos, Chanda Romero, Mon Confiado, with Tommy Abuel and Eugene Domingo; produced by Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, Purple Bunny Productions.
Not much is known about the plot of this supernatural horror film as of writing, but the recent reveal of its powerhouse ensemble cast was more than enough to get fans buzzing on social media.
At the center are the award-winning Santos and Tolentino, who have reunited on the big screen for the first since the 2003 family drama “Mano Po 2: My Home.” Joining them is an equally strong supporting cast composed of show biz’s finest thespians, young and old. Roño, of course, is behind some of the most iconic horror films in local cinema, like “Feng Shui” and “The Healing.”
The film’s teaser caption is quite telling though: “Every family has its secrets…some, more sinister than others.”
The clip shows a family gathered in an ancestral home, praying for the soul of a recently deceased family member. After the burial, strange things start to happen. The soul is restless and has nowhere to go, so it decides to remain in the family’s presence. Now, it’s up to them to uncover the family’s dark secrets, and the role portentous espantaho or scarecrow play. —Allan Policarpio
“Hold Me Close”
Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana; stars Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino; produced by Viva Films and Ninuno Media.
The last time Barretto shot a movie in Japan with Laxamana—the romance drama “Between Maybes” with her real-life boyfriend, Gerald Anderson—was a critical success. Will this new entry follow suit?
Woody (Aquino) has spent the last seven years traveling the world, searching for a place he can call home. One rainy day in Japan, he bumps into Lynlyn (Barretto), who, suddenly and inexplicably, starts to put her hand on his cheek. Turns out, she has a special ability to predict whether or not a person will bring her joy or pain through her sense of touch.
Lynlyn gives Woody mixed signals, which leaves him frustrated because he has already started falling for her. For days, Lynlyn feels nothing. But out of nowhere, she feels a jolt: Woody, she finds out, is a man who tends to run away from his problems instead of facing them head on.
With this knowledge, Lynlyn must make a decision that could even up hurting the already emotionally wounded Woody: Will she let go or move on? —Allan Policarpio
