New Wave Section Of The Metro Manila Filmfest Has An Impressive Lineup Of Socially Relevant Entries

LOOKS LIKE the New Wave Section of the Metro-Manila Filmfest has become the real festival of quality films (shown the week before Christmas) and not the annual film fiesta of more commercially oriented flicks that open on Christmas Day. The more commercial entries have bigger stars like Vic Sotto, Kris Aquino and Vice Ganda but they offer escapist entertainment.

This year, the New Wave entries tackle more socially relevant subject matters and some of them have already been honored abroad. Here are the five finalists selected from a total of submitted 18 entries: 1. “Ang Magkakabaung (The Coffin Maker)” – Produced by ATD Entertainment, written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana (“Babagwa”), this has won the best actor award for Allen Dizon at the Harlem International Filmfest in New York last August. It was also shown in exhibition at the Montreal International Filmfest in Canada and is now an entry in the Main Competition of the Hanoi International Film Festival in Vietnam from November 23-27. It will also be shown in exhibition at Austin International Filmfest in Texas and the Hongkong Asian Filmfest in November. It is the story of a father (Dizon), a coffin maker, who feels guilty over the death of her daughter (Felixia Dizon) because of self-medication. Also starring Gladys Reyes, Emilio Garcia and Chanel La Torre.

2. M, My Mother’s Maiden Name – Written and directed by Zig Dulay, Zsa Zsa Padilla plays a single mom dying of cancer. It’s also the great disparity in medical treatments between the rich and the poor. Also starring Nico Antonio, Dennis Padilla, Gloria Sevilla, it is in the Official Competition section of the 31st Bogota International Film Festival in Colombia this October, competing for the Círculo Precolombino awards. It is also in the exhibition section of the Hawaii International Filmfest this November.

3. “Mulat (Awaken)” – Directed by Diane Ventura, it stars Jake Roxas as a young man who falls in love with a mysterious woman with a strange mental affliction. Jake won the best actor in the recent International Filmfest in Manhattan for this movie. Co-starring Ryan Eigenmann and introducing Loren Burgos.

4. “Gemini” - Directed by Ato Bautista, this is a psychological thriller about a woman asking a police detective to protect her from her estranged evil twin sister. It stars real-life twins Sheena and Brigitte McBride as the warring sisters. Mon Confiado plays the detective. Also starring Lance Raymundo, Alvin Anson and Sarah Gaugler.

5. “Maratabat (Pride)” – Directed by Arlyn de la Cruz, this is about politics and violence loosely based on the infamous Maguindanao Massacre. Maratabat is a Maranao word meaning pride. It stars Julio Diaz as the abusive governor Abubakar, Elizabeth Oropesa, Ping Medina, Chanel La Torre, Richard Quan, Kristoffer King and Shyr Valdez.


The five entries will be shown from December 17-24 at SM Megamall and Glorietta 4 cinemas. As part of the Ruby (40th) anniversary celebration of the MMFF, these films are guaranteed to have a regular run later in at least 20 cinemas by 2015.