Series projects by filmmakers Kevin Macdonald, Barbera Albert and Erik Matti have won key prizes at the second edition of Seriesmakers, Series Mania’s development lab for film directors moving into series.
Macdonald and producer Femke Wolting won one of two Beta Development Awards worth €50,000 for their series project George Blake which tells the story of the prolific British double agent.
Macdonald has won the Oscar best documentary feature prize for One Day In September, while The Last King of Scotland won an Oscar for lead actor for Forest Whitaker. He was unable to collect the prize which was picked up by Wolting.
Macdonald and producer Femke Wolting won one of two Beta Development Awards worth €50,000 for their series project George Blake which tells the story of the prolific British double agent.
Macdonald has won the Oscar best documentary feature prize for One Day In September, while The Last King of Scotland won an Oscar for lead actor for Forest Whitaker. He was unable to collect the prize which was picked up by Wolting.
- 3/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Projects from Oscar-winning Scottish director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), Philippine filmmaker Erik Matti (On the Job) and Austrian auteur Barbara Albert (Nordrand) have been picked as the most promising new TV pitches at this year’s Series Mania festival.
Macdonald’s George Blake, a real-life spy thriller about the famed double agent, and Matti’s The Squatter, an East-meets-West crime story about a secretive Filipino maid and a tenacious Ukrainian detective who team up, won this year’s Beta Development Awards and will receive $54,000 (€ 50,000) each in development cash from European production and sales company Beta Group.
In addition to his feature work, which includes The Mauritanian with Tahar Rahim and Jodie Foster, and State of Play starring Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe, Macdonald has helmed several acclaimed documentaries, including the Oscar-winning One Day in September (2000), 2004’s Touching The Void and 2013’s Marley.
Matti’s crime thriller On the Job 2: The Missing 8...
Macdonald’s George Blake, a real-life spy thriller about the famed double agent, and Matti’s The Squatter, an East-meets-West crime story about a secretive Filipino maid and a tenacious Ukrainian detective who team up, won this year’s Beta Development Awards and will receive $54,000 (€ 50,000) each in development cash from European production and sales company Beta Group.
In addition to his feature work, which includes The Mauritanian with Tahar Rahim and Jodie Foster, and State of Play starring Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe, Macdonald has helmed several acclaimed documentaries, including the Oscar-winning One Day in September (2000), 2004’s Touching The Void and 2013’s Marley.
Matti’s crime thriller On the Job 2: The Missing 8...
- 3/20/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One year after unveiling the ambitious project at Hong Kong’s Filmart project market, Philippine broadcaster-turned-content-producer Abs-cbn has started production on the crime thriller series The Bagman. The show began shooting in Manila on Feb. 25, according to the producers, and the project will be shopped to regional buyers at this year’s Filmart, which begins Monday.
The Bagman is a high-end TV spinoff of Abs-cbn’s popular streaming series Bagman, which ran for two seasons beginning in 2019 and was picked up by Netflix. Filipino actor Arjo Atayde (The General’s Daughter) is reprising his lead role as Benjo Malaya from the original show. John Arcilla (On the Job 2: The Missing 8, The Bourne Legacy) and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo (Mindanao) also star.
The spinoff is said to have a significantly bigger budget, with ambitions to reach an audience beyond the Philippines. Abs-cbn’s producing partners on the title include Dreamscape Entertainment, Nathan Studios and Rein Entertainment.
The Bagman is a high-end TV spinoff of Abs-cbn’s popular streaming series Bagman, which ran for two seasons beginning in 2019 and was picked up by Netflix. Filipino actor Arjo Atayde (The General’s Daughter) is reprising his lead role as Benjo Malaya from the original show. John Arcilla (On the Job 2: The Missing 8, The Bourne Legacy) and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo (Mindanao) also star.
The spinoff is said to have a significantly bigger budget, with ambitions to reach an audience beyond the Philippines. Abs-cbn’s producing partners on the title include Dreamscape Entertainment, Nathan Studios and Rein Entertainment.
- 3/8/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A year after announcing the ambitious project, The Philippines Abs-cbn is now in production on new series “The Bagman.” Filming began in Manila on Feb. 25.
“The Bagman” is a spin-off from the original, locally-produced digital series “Bagman” that was aimed at the Filipino audience. The new series is intended as an international co-production. The Philippines companies already on board include Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.
The announcement was made by Ruel S. Bayani, head of Abs-cbn’s international productions division, and who will be attending FilMart, long with Tanya Bautista, creative producer of the show and Lea Dizon, Abs-cbn’s Los Angeles-based development executive.
“Abs-cbn’s track record as a storyteller and content creator is one of our key assets that makes us a solid partner in international co-productions, as seen in our growing slate of global titles. As a pioneer and leader in globalizing...
“The Bagman” is a spin-off from the original, locally-produced digital series “Bagman” that was aimed at the Filipino audience. The new series is intended as an international co-production. The Philippines companies already on board include Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.
The announcement was made by Ruel S. Bayani, head of Abs-cbn’s international productions division, and who will be attending FilMart, long with Tanya Bautista, creative producer of the show and Lea Dizon, Abs-cbn’s Los Angeles-based development executive.
“Abs-cbn’s track record as a storyteller and content creator is one of our key assets that makes us a solid partner in international co-productions, as seen in our growing slate of global titles. As a pioneer and leader in globalizing...
- 3/8/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Philippines’ Abs-cbn is to launch its new series “The Bagman” at next month’s Atf market in Singapore. Series star Arjo Atayde will attend as part of the promotional team.
“The Bagman” is a spin-off from the original, locally-produced digital series “Bagman” that was aimed at the Filipino audience. The new series is intended as an international co-production. The Philippines companies already on board include Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.
The original digital series, “Bagman 1 and 2,” which sold to Netflix Philippines, follows the story of Benjo Malaya, a neighborhood barber who landed a job as the governor’s henchman and gets caught up in a dangerous web of crime, corruption, and political turmoil.
In the new “The Bagman” series Malaya, now a convicted prisoner and former governor, learns tragic news about his missing family. He is left with no choice but to return to...
“The Bagman” is a spin-off from the original, locally-produced digital series “Bagman” that was aimed at the Filipino audience. The new series is intended as an international co-production. The Philippines companies already on board include Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.
The original digital series, “Bagman 1 and 2,” which sold to Netflix Philippines, follows the story of Benjo Malaya, a neighborhood barber who landed a job as the governor’s henchman and gets caught up in a dangerous web of crime, corruption, and political turmoil.
In the new “The Bagman” series Malaya, now a convicted prisoner and former governor, learns tragic news about his missing family. He is left with no choice but to return to...
- 11/27/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Philippines media and entertainment company Abs-cbn is set to launch tentpole co-production The Bagman at this year’s Asia TV Forum & Market (Atf) in Singapore, with the star of the series, Arjo Atayde, also attending the event.
Set to begin production in January, the eight-part action drama sees Atayde reprising his character Benjo Malaya from the original digital series Bagman 1 and Bagman 2, which were sold to Netflix Philippines.
The spin-off of the original digital series also stars John Arcilla, who won best actor at the Venice film festival for Erik Matti’s On The Job 2: The Missing 8, and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, who won best actress at Cairo International Film Festival for Brillante Mendoza’s Mindanao.
The new series is co-produced by Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.
Atayde also previously starred in Abs-cbn’s hit crime thriller series Cattleya Killer and movies including Matti’s...
Set to begin production in January, the eight-part action drama sees Atayde reprising his character Benjo Malaya from the original digital series Bagman 1 and Bagman 2, which were sold to Netflix Philippines.
The spin-off of the original digital series also stars John Arcilla, who won best actor at the Venice film festival for Erik Matti’s On The Job 2: The Missing 8, and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, who won best actress at Cairo International Film Festival for Brillante Mendoza’s Mindanao.
The new series is co-produced by Abs-cbn International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment and Dreamscape Entertainment.
Atayde also previously starred in Abs-cbn’s hit crime thriller series Cattleya Killer and movies including Matti’s...
- 11/27/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Remember how we mentioned that last week was a bit of a “calm before the storm” situation, as we get closer to the Halloween season and its nonstop onslaught of fresh horror movies?
That orange wave has arrived, and it won’t be slowing down until October 31. In fact, there are so many new releases this week that we’re going to break them up into separate days.
Here’s all the new horror that just released for August 22, 2023!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Cinephobia Releasing brings Dane Elcar‘s acclaimed sci-fi thriller Brightwood home today, a time loop horror movie that’s now available on all your favorite VOD outlets.
The indie horror movie centers on a married couple at the end of their rope, and that’s before they get trapped into a loop with a hooded killer in the woods.
That orange wave has arrived, and it won’t be slowing down until October 31. In fact, there are so many new releases this week that we’re going to break them up into separate days.
Here’s all the new horror that just released for August 22, 2023!
For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.
Cinephobia Releasing brings Dane Elcar‘s acclaimed sci-fi thriller Brightwood home today, a time loop horror movie that’s now available on all your favorite VOD outlets.
The indie horror movie centers on a married couple at the end of their rope, and that’s before they get trapped into a loop with a hooded killer in the woods.
- 8/22/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Death is only the beginning in The Entity. In the film, a family must contend with demonic forces after a tragic death, and an exclusive clip provided to Bloody Disgusting sets up a terrifying scare that highlights the horror ahead.
In the upcoming Filipino horror film, “A family is haunted by what appears to be the ghost of their youngest daughter. Now they must try to figure out why she is trying to communicate with them and if it’s really her.”
The Entity releases on VOD and Digital on August 22, 2023.
The exclusive clip below sets up a jump scare, with foreboding signs pointing toward something else reaching out from beyond the grave.
The horror film by Filipino director Erik Matti (“Folklore“), who co-wrote the script with Katski Flores, stars Sharon Cuneta as the family matriach. The Entity, also titled Kuwaresma, marks Filipino star Cuneta’s first foray into horror.
In the upcoming Filipino horror film, “A family is haunted by what appears to be the ghost of their youngest daughter. Now they must try to figure out why she is trying to communicate with them and if it’s really her.”
The Entity releases on VOD and Digital on August 22, 2023.
The exclusive clip below sets up a jump scare, with foreboding signs pointing toward something else reaching out from beyond the grave.
The horror film by Filipino director Erik Matti (“Folklore“), who co-wrote the script with Katski Flores, stars Sharon Cuneta as the family matriach. The Entity, also titled Kuwaresma, marks Filipino star Cuneta’s first foray into horror.
- 8/18/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
"A family is haunted by what appears to be the ghost of their youngest daughter. Now they must try to figure out why she is trying to communicate with them and if it's really her." From writer Katski Flores (Still Life) and Filipino director Erik Matti (On the Job), The Entity will be released on digital later this month and we have an exclusive look at the brand-new poster for the upcoming film.
Starring Sharon Cuneta, John Arcilla, Kent Gonzales, Pam Gonzales, Guila Alvarez, and Coohleene Cabasag, The Entity will be available on August 22nd on digital platforms, including Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, and DirecTV. Take a look at the poster below and we also a look at the trailer that was exclusively shared by Bloody Disgusting yesterday.
Trailer via Bloody Disgusting:
The post Exclusive Poster Reveal: “Darkness Will Test the Strenth of This Family” in The...
Starring Sharon Cuneta, John Arcilla, Kent Gonzales, Pam Gonzales, Guila Alvarez, and Coohleene Cabasag, The Entity will be available on August 22nd on digital platforms, including Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, and DirecTV. Take a look at the poster below and we also a look at the trailer that was exclusively shared by Bloody Disgusting yesterday.
Trailer via Bloody Disgusting:
The post Exclusive Poster Reveal: “Darkness Will Test the Strenth of This Family” in The...
- 8/15/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Death is only the beginning in The Entity. In the trailer for the upcoming Filipino horror film, a family must contend with demonic forces after a tragic death.
In the film, “A family is haunted by what appears to be the ghost of their youngest daughter. Now they must try to figure out why she is trying to communicate with them and if it’s really her.”
The Entity releases on VOD and Digital on August 22, 2023.
The horror film by Filipino director Erik Matti (“Folklore“), who co-wrote the script with Katski Flores, stars Sharon Cuneta as the family matriach. The Entity, also titled Kuwaresma, marks Filipino star Cuneta’s first foray into horror.
John Arcilla (The Bourne Legacy) also stars alongside sibling actors Kent Gonzales (“Gen Z”), and Pam Gonzales.
Based on the trailer below, expect things to get downright demonic in this 1985-set horror feature. Undead family members, ghosts,...
In the film, “A family is haunted by what appears to be the ghost of their youngest daughter. Now they must try to figure out why she is trying to communicate with them and if it’s really her.”
The Entity releases on VOD and Digital on August 22, 2023.
The horror film by Filipino director Erik Matti (“Folklore“), who co-wrote the script with Katski Flores, stars Sharon Cuneta as the family matriach. The Entity, also titled Kuwaresma, marks Filipino star Cuneta’s first foray into horror.
John Arcilla (The Bourne Legacy) also stars alongside sibling actors Kent Gonzales (“Gen Z”), and Pam Gonzales.
Based on the trailer below, expect things to get downright demonic in this 1985-set horror feature. Undead family members, ghosts,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
With a production budget of ₱80 million, “Heneral Luna” is one of the most expensive Filipino epic historical films ever released. On September 29, 2015, it broke the previous record of ₱160 million to become the highest grossing Filipino historical film of all time, while also being one of the highest grossing Filipino films of all time in general.
Towards the end of the 19th century, Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines came to an end and the country gained its independence on June 12. Unwilling to face humiliation, Spain secretly sells the archipelago to the victorious Americans for $20 million during the Treaty of Paris. It is during this time that the story of the movie begins at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, during a cabinet meeting over the growing American presence in the Philippines, which actually sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Cabinet members Felipe Buencamino and Pedro Paterno propose to...
Towards the end of the 19th century, Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines came to an end and the country gained its independence on June 12. Unwilling to face humiliation, Spain secretly sells the archipelago to the victorious Americans for $20 million during the Treaty of Paris. It is during this time that the story of the movie begins at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, during a cabinet meeting over the growing American presence in the Philippines, which actually sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Cabinet members Felipe Buencamino and Pedro Paterno propose to...
- 4/14/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
In an unusual move, the Philippines’ Oscar entry “On the Job: The
Missing 8” was a nominee for the Intl. Emmys this year. It’s a sequel to Erik Matti’s 2013 “On the Job,” which took place in Manila and was reformatted into an eponymous miniseries that combines scenes from both films and is streaming on HBO Max.
Nominated for television movie/miniseries, “Missing 8” was conceived as a film but due to the pandemic the filmmakers pivoted to the small screen.
The six-part miniseries didn’t win at the I-Emmys but has garnered other prizes since its premiere as a film at Venice. “On the Job: The Missing 8” won the Volpi Cup for actor for its lead, John Arcilla, making him the first Filipino thespian to win such a prestigious award.
“We knew it was a mountain to climb, but we wanted to be present at the International Emmy Awards, win or lose,...
Missing 8” was a nominee for the Intl. Emmys this year. It’s a sequel to Erik Matti’s 2013 “On the Job,” which took place in Manila and was reformatted into an eponymous miniseries that combines scenes from both films and is streaming on HBO Max.
Nominated for television movie/miniseries, “Missing 8” was conceived as a film but due to the pandemic the filmmakers pivoted to the small screen.
The six-part miniseries didn’t win at the I-Emmys but has garnered other prizes since its premiere as a film at Venice. “On the Job: The Missing 8” won the Volpi Cup for actor for its lead, John Arcilla, making him the first Filipino thespian to win such a prestigious award.
“We knew it was a mountain to climb, but we wanted to be present at the International Emmy Awards, win or lose,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Duterte’s war on drugs is the Philippines 21st century witch hunt on individuals who might or might not be related to drug distribution and consumption, which doesn’t really matter the moment someone is labelled a dealer or addict. A slightest suspicion of either can make a person a living target, as literally anyone can claim their lives.
“Big Night“ is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
In the opening credits to his dramedy “Big Night” Jun Robles Lana addresses the so called ‘watchlist’, or the initiative started by the Philippine government in 2016, encouraging village officials to help gathering the names of drug suspects in every neighbourhood across the country. What this initiative actually means is that the lives of individuals are put in the hands of blood-thirsty mobs, or of people who aren’t shy of killing when such actions stop being punishable...
“Big Night“ is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
In the opening credits to his dramedy “Big Night” Jun Robles Lana addresses the so called ‘watchlist’, or the initiative started by the Philippine government in 2016, encouraging village officials to help gathering the names of drug suspects in every neighbourhood across the country. What this initiative actually means is that the lives of individuals are put in the hands of blood-thirsty mobs, or of people who aren’t shy of killing when such actions stop being punishable...
- 11/19/2022
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Keep track of all the submissions for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.
Entries for the 2023 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
Scroll down for profiles of each Oscar entry
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between January 1, 2022 and November 30, 2022. The deadline for submissions to the Academy is October 3, 2022.
A shortlist of 15 finalists is...
Entries for the 2023 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
Scroll down for profiles of each Oscar entry
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between January 1, 2022 and November 30, 2022. The deadline for submissions to the Academy is October 3, 2022.
A shortlist of 15 finalists is...
- 10/4/2022
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
The Filipino thriller master Erik Matti is in Venice with “On The Job: The Missing 8”, the sequel to his action flick “On The Job” from Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2013. As for the previous film, the script was penned by Matti’s spouse Michiko Yamamoto, whose feeling for fine tuning and presenting many things happening at the same time leaves no confusion about who- and whydunnit, although the backside challenging 208′ of the film’s runtime will probably prove more fitting for the broader audience in the format in which is shown now – as a six episode HBO Asia mini-series.
“On The Job: The Missing 8” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The story is, unlike the first film which was set in Manilla, based in the municipality of La Paz, in the seemingly safest community of the Philippines, ruled over and controlled by Pedring Eusebio (Dante Rivero), an...
“On The Job: The Missing 8” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The story is, unlike the first film which was set in Manilla, based in the municipality of La Paz, in the seemingly safest community of the Philippines, ruled over and controlled by Pedring Eusebio (Dante Rivero), an...
- 4/29/2022
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Outside of ones that specialize in horror, exploitation films are not exactly the norm for film festivals, since the usually intense sex and violence elements they incorporate have nothing to do with the art-house aesthetics most programmers seem to seek for. Thus, it is a rather pleasant surprise (for diversity’s sake) to see such a title in Udine, even more so since it comes from Viva, a Filipino production company that specializes in star-driven, genre films that frequently include intense erotic elements, in another set of terms festivals seem to keep as far away from as possible.
“Reroute” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The movie opens with a drone shot of a car moving on a small road in a remote area. Inside, Dan and his wife Trina are having a fight as they are on their way to a town called Morindha. Dan’s toxic masculinity fills the screen,...
“Reroute” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The movie opens with a drone shot of a car moving on a small road in a remote area. Inside, Dan and his wife Trina are having a fight as they are on their way to a town called Morindha. Dan’s toxic masculinity fills the screen,...
- 4/27/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
‘Metro Manila‘ is the story of a good man in a bad world. All elements in the movie seems to stem from that core principle and the only question left for the story to answer is if a good man can remain good when all odds are piled against him. And, except for the unconditional love of a family, I really mean all odds. Right off the bat, Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal), an ex-military turned farmer, is forced by the severe rural economic crisis to sell all his few belongings and start anew with his family in the fascinating and colorful chaos of Manila, a gritty and chaotic megalopolis where dreams seems to be forged. Unfortunately, as soon he will discover, the city specializes in bad dreams. The relentless, unmerciful, dog-eat-dog pulse of the streets beats the hope out of the Ramirez family bit by bit, bite by bite, until...
- 4/26/2022
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
Duterte’s war on drugs is the Philippines 21st century witch hunt on individuals who might or might not be related to drug distribution and consumption, which doesn’t really matter the moment someone is labelled a dealer or addict. A slightest suspicion of either can make a person a living target, as literally anyone can claim their lives.
“Big Night” is screening at Sdaff Spring Showcase
In the opening credits to his dramedy “Big Night” Jun Robles Lana addresses the so called ‘watchlist’, or the initiative started by the Philippine government in 2016, encouraging village officials to help gathering the names of drug suspects in every neighbourhood across the country. What this initiative actually means is that the lives of individuals are put in the hands of blood-thirsty mobs, or of people who aren’t shy of killing when such actions stop being punishable by a law which sees them as justified.
“Big Night” is screening at Sdaff Spring Showcase
In the opening credits to his dramedy “Big Night” Jun Robles Lana addresses the so called ‘watchlist’, or the initiative started by the Philippine government in 2016, encouraging village officials to help gathering the names of drug suspects in every neighbourhood across the country. What this initiative actually means is that the lives of individuals are put in the hands of blood-thirsty mobs, or of people who aren’t shy of killing when such actions stop being punishable by a law which sees them as justified.
- 4/24/2022
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Duterte’s war on drugs is the Philippines 21st century witch hunt on individuals who might or might not be related to drug distribution and consumption, which doesn’t really matter the moment someone is labelled a dealer or addict. A slightest suspicion of either can make a person a living target, as literally anyone can claim their lives.
In the opening credits to his dramedy “Big Night” Jun Robles Lana addresses the so called ‘watchlist’, or the initiative started by the Philippine government in 2016, encouraging village officials to help gathering the names of drug suspects in every neighbourhood across the country. What this initiative actually means is that the lives of individuals are put in the hands of blood-thirsty mobs, or of people who aren’t shy of killing when such actions stop being punishable by a law which sees them as justified. Human rights organizations can’t do...
In the opening credits to his dramedy “Big Night” Jun Robles Lana addresses the so called ‘watchlist’, or the initiative started by the Philippine government in 2016, encouraging village officials to help gathering the names of drug suspects in every neighbourhood across the country. What this initiative actually means is that the lives of individuals are put in the hands of blood-thirsty mobs, or of people who aren’t shy of killing when such actions stop being punishable by a law which sees them as justified. Human rights organizations can’t do...
- 12/8/2021
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
Apart from being a brilliant filmmaker, Erik Matti has proven time and again that he is also a great businessman, and coming up with the sequel of his most famous work, “On the Job”, eight years after the original was released, just proves both facts in the most eloquent fashion. “The Missing 8”, as the sequel is titled, premiered to high acclaim at the 78th Venice International Festival as part of the main competition, eventually netting the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for John Arcilla. Furthermore, and in another rather smart idea, the film is now screening in HBO Asia as a six episode mini series, with the first two episodes essentially being the first movie (re-edited and remastered) split into two parts, and the connection between the old and the new being the general concept of the prison murderers-for-hire and a number of individuals that appear in both.
(This review...
(This review...
- 10/5/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“Gensan Punch,” the upcoming film by celebrated Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, has been set as an HBO Asia Original movie. It will become available on regional streaming service HBO Go in the next few months.
Ahead of that, the film will have its world premiere next month at the Busan International Film Festival, and follow that with an out-of-competition gala selection at November’s Tokyo International Film Festival. In Busan, it appears in the Window on Asian Cinema” section and is also one of seven Asian films nominated for the festival’s Kim Jiseok Award.
The Japan and Philippines coproduction film is a fact-based story about a Japanese man with a prosthetic leg who seeks to become a professional boxer. He did his training in the so-called Gensan Quarter of General Santos City, which has long been known for producing athletes, including former champion boxer and current presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao.
Ahead of that, the film will have its world premiere next month at the Busan International Film Festival, and follow that with an out-of-competition gala selection at November’s Tokyo International Film Festival. In Busan, it appears in the Window on Asian Cinema” section and is also one of seven Asian films nominated for the festival’s Kim Jiseok Award.
The Japan and Philippines coproduction film is a fact-based story about a Japanese man with a prosthetic leg who seeks to become a professional boxer. He did his training in the so-called Gensan Quarter of General Santos City, which has long been known for producing athletes, including former champion boxer and current presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao.
- 9/28/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Filippino thriller master Erik Matti is in Venice with “On The Job: The Missing 8”, the sequel to his action flick “On The Job” from Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2013. As for the previous film, the script was penned by Matti’s spouse Michiko Yamamoto, whose feeling for fine tuning and presenting many things happening at the same time leaves no confusion about who- and whydunnit, although the backside challenging 208′ of the film’s runtime will probably prove more fitting for the broader audience in the format in which is shown now – as a six episode HBO Asia mini-series.
The longest Venice main selection contender was screened towards the end of the festival to an already tired viewership that had previously sat through a huge chunk of films, and yet it managed to stand out as one of the more accomplished competition titles due to its interesting narrative, balanced tempo and...
The longest Venice main selection contender was screened towards the end of the festival to an already tired viewership that had previously sat through a huge chunk of films, and yet it managed to stand out as one of the more accomplished competition titles due to its interesting narrative, balanced tempo and...
- 9/15/2021
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
HappeningIn Competition(Jury: Bong Joon-ho, Saverio Costanzo, Virginie Efira, Cynthia Erivo, Sarah Gadon, Alexander Nanau, Chloé Zhao)Golden Lion – Happening (Audrey Diwan) | Read our reviewSilver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) – The Hand of God (Paolo Sorrentino) | Read our reviewSilver Lion (Best Director) – Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) | Read our reviewCoppa Volpi for Best Actress – Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers) | Read our reviewCoppa Volpi for Best Actor – John Arcilla (On The Job: The Missing 8)Best Screenplay – Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Lost Daughter)Special Jury Prize – The Hole (Michelangelo Frammartino) | Read our reviewMarcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress – Filippo Scotti (The Hand of God)Orizzonti(Jury: Jasmila Žbanić, Mona Fastvold, Shahram Mokri, Josh Siegel, Nadia Terranova)Orizzonti Award for Best Film – Pilgrims (Laurynas Bareisa)Orizzonti Award for Best Director – Éric Gravel (A Plein Temps)Special Orizzonti Jury Prize – El Gran Movimiento (Kiro Russo) | Read our reviewOrizzonti Award for Best Actress...
- 9/13/2021
- MUBI
When Erik Matti’s “On the Job” premiered in 2013, it shortly became an important title for many of the Filipinos. With the image of the corrupted landscape of Manila captured in a gritty, dark lens of noir-like thriller; with cops being paid off, prisoners used as hired guns, and politicians as gangsters, the film encapsulated the energy of the real events on which it was loosely based on. Once again, Manila became a violent and hostile place, a depiction that Filipino filmmakers lean towards with an obvious motivation in mind. The blood is there and it deserves representation.
Several years later, Matti comes back with the informal sequel to his story. Premiered in the 78th Venice Competition as a sole representative of Asian Cinema, his “On the Job: Missing 8” became a 208 minutes-long take on the current state of corruption, journalism and politics in the Philippines. This time around, it is set not in Manila,...
Several years later, Matti comes back with the informal sequel to his story. Premiered in the 78th Venice Competition as a sole representative of Asian Cinema, his “On the Job: Missing 8” became a 208 minutes-long take on the current state of corruption, journalism and politics in the Philippines. This time around, it is set not in Manila,...
- 9/13/2021
- by Lukasz Mankowski
- AsianMoviePulse
Jane Campion has won the Silver Lion Award for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival for The Power of the Dog.
The auteur’s first feature in 12 years, based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, premiered at the festival to a four-minute standing ovation.
An Australian-New Zealand co-production, it has been hailed by critics, and is already generating Oscar buzz.
Set in the 1920s, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons play brothers Phil and George Burbank, who own the biggest ranch in the Montana valley.
When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Kirsten Dunst), a shocked and angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her, using her effeminate son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as a pawn.
Campion is the only the second woman to have ever won Venice’s director prize since it was introduced in 1990 and given annually since 1998; the first being Shirin Neshat in 2009 for Women Without Men.
The auteur’s first feature in 12 years, based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, premiered at the festival to a four-minute standing ovation.
An Australian-New Zealand co-production, it has been hailed by critics, and is already generating Oscar buzz.
Set in the 1920s, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons play brothers Phil and George Burbank, who own the biggest ranch in the Montana valley.
When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Kirsten Dunst), a shocked and angry Phil wages a relentless war to destroy her, using her effeminate son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as a pawn.
Campion is the only the second woman to have ever won Venice’s director prize since it was introduced in 1990 and given annually since 1998; the first being Shirin Neshat in 2009 for Women Without Men.
- 9/12/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Female filmmakers ruled the 2021 Venice Film Festival awards ceremony, as a trio of women took home the top honors awarded by this year’s jury.
“L’Evénement,” a timely French abortion drama from director Audrey Diwan, won the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival, making Diwan the first woman to receive the award since Sofia Coppola for 2010’s “Somewhere.”
The Silver Lion for Best Director went to “The Power of the Dog” filmmaker Jane Campion, who is now just the second woman to win Best Director from the Venice Film Festival and first since 2009. Even at this early point in the season, Campion is widely considered an Oscars favorite in the Best Director category (and her film is the top choice for Best Picture); she’s one of only seven women to ever receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director and previously won an Oscar for screenwriting for 1993’s “The Piano.
“L’Evénement,” a timely French abortion drama from director Audrey Diwan, won the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival, making Diwan the first woman to receive the award since Sofia Coppola for 2010’s “Somewhere.”
The Silver Lion for Best Director went to “The Power of the Dog” filmmaker Jane Campion, who is now just the second woman to win Best Director from the Venice Film Festival and first since 2009. Even at this early point in the season, Campion is widely considered an Oscars favorite in the Best Director category (and her film is the top choice for Best Picture); she’s one of only seven women to ever receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director and previously won an Oscar for screenwriting for 1993’s “The Piano.
- 9/11/2021
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
The Venice Film Festival unveiled its award winners on Saturday night, and Jane Campion, Penélope Cruz and Maggie Gyllenhaal are among the award winners for the top prizes.
“Happening,” a French abortion drama from director Audrey Diwan, won the Golden Lion, and Paolo Sorrentino’s film “The Hand of God” won the second place prize, or the Silver Lion.
In the acting categories, Penélope Cruz won Best Actress for Pedro Almodovar’s “Parallel Mothers,” and John Arcilla won Best Actor for “On the Job: The Missing 8.” Jane Campion won the Silver Lion for Best Director for her film “The Power of the Dog.”
Among some of the other winners, Maggie Gyllenhaal won Best Screenplay for her adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel “The Lost Daughter.” Gyllenhaal praised Campion and spoke about how watching “The Piano” inspired her as a storyteller. “The Hand of God” star Filippo Scotti also won the...
“Happening,” a French abortion drama from director Audrey Diwan, won the Golden Lion, and Paolo Sorrentino’s film “The Hand of God” won the second place prize, or the Silver Lion.
In the acting categories, Penélope Cruz won Best Actress for Pedro Almodovar’s “Parallel Mothers,” and John Arcilla won Best Actor for “On the Job: The Missing 8.” Jane Campion won the Silver Lion for Best Director for her film “The Power of the Dog.”
Among some of the other winners, Maggie Gyllenhaal won Best Screenplay for her adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel “The Lost Daughter.” Gyllenhaal praised Campion and spoke about how watching “The Piano” inspired her as a storyteller. “The Hand of God” star Filippo Scotti also won the...
- 9/11/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
On a strong night for female filmmakers and Netflix releases, the Venice Film Festival has come to a close with a curveball, as breakout French director Audrey Diwan’s powerful abortion drama “Happening” beat big-name competition to the Golden Lion for best film. Diwan received the award from a jury presided over by Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon-ho.
Also on the jury, significantly, was last year’s Golden Lion champ, “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao. Diwan is only the sixth woman ever to take the festival’s top award; never before has the prize gone to female directors two years in a row. Coming on the heels of her compatriot Julia Ducournau’s groundbreaking Palme d’Or win at Cannes for “Titane,” Diwan’s triumph further points to an exciting new generation of female auteurs seizing the spotlight.
Among the films Diwan’s film beat to the punch were Netflix’s three big hopefuls from the competition,...
Also on the jury, significantly, was last year’s Golden Lion champ, “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao. Diwan is only the sixth woman ever to take the festival’s top award; never before has the prize gone to female directors two years in a row. Coming on the heels of her compatriot Julia Ducournau’s groundbreaking Palme d’Or win at Cannes for “Titane,” Diwan’s triumph further points to an exciting new generation of female auteurs seizing the spotlight.
Among the films Diwan’s film beat to the punch were Netflix’s three big hopefuls from the competition,...
- 9/11/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Erik Matti’s new original six-part Philippines series “On The Job” will premiere on HBO Go in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan in September and will also air later on the region’s HBO channel.
Select episodes from the series will screen in competition at the Venice Film Festival in September, the only Asian title in contention out of the 21 in the lineup.
HBO Go has also released a trailer.
The first two episodes of the series were shown as a film at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where was nominated for an Sacd Prize at Directors’ Fortnight. It went on to win several awards globally, including two at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Inspired by true events, “On The Job” centers around crime syndicates that temporarily release prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power. However, the crime syndicates themselves are run by politicians. The...
Select episodes from the series will screen in competition at the Venice Film Festival in September, the only Asian title in contention out of the 21 in the lineup.
HBO Go has also released a trailer.
The first two episodes of the series were shown as a film at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where was nominated for an Sacd Prize at Directors’ Fortnight. It went on to win several awards globally, including two at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Inspired by true events, “On The Job” centers around crime syndicates that temporarily release prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power. However, the crime syndicates themselves are run by politicians. The...
- 7/28/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The newest horror movie by Philippino director Erik Matti (“BuyBust” 2018) deals with a whole bunch of different topics. The story is pretty simple though.
“The Entity” is now screening at /slash film festival
Luis (Kent Gonzales) left home to study at an engineering school. One day he receives a call from his parents. His sister has died, and he should return for the funeral. Back home, Luis tries to uncover the circumstances of her death, but no one is willing to give an answer. Right from the start, the viewer is introduced to supernatural elements. A demonic haunted house and a dark past that holds a tragic family fate are the ingredients that make up the typical horror stylistics of this movie.
“The Entity” is dominated by the past. The events that take place are all related to bygone incidents. The entire house and its surroundings are covered in fog,...
“The Entity” is now screening at /slash film festival
Luis (Kent Gonzales) left home to study at an engineering school. One day he receives a call from his parents. His sister has died, and he should return for the funeral. Back home, Luis tries to uncover the circumstances of her death, but no one is willing to give an answer. Right from the start, the viewer is introduced to supernatural elements. A demonic haunted house and a dark past that holds a tragic family fate are the ingredients that make up the typical horror stylistics of this movie.
“The Entity” is dominated by the past. The events that take place are all related to bygone incidents. The entire house and its surroundings are covered in fog,...
- 9/26/2019
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
Award-winning Filipino director Erik Matti’s follow-up to last year’s excellent action film “BuyBust” is finally ready and we have the first trailer for the horror film “Kuwaresma” right here, an epic team-up that sees Matti join hands with two of Filipino cinema’s biggest superstars.
Synopsis
Not much is known of the plot so far, but “Kuwaresma” sees a man return home to find out the reason behind the passing of his young sister, only to discover the secrets and horrors within his family.
Matti is no stranger to the horror genre, with his last horror film “Seklusyon” earning him the best director award at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. The very atmospheric trailer also introduces Filipino icon Sharon Cuneta in her first horror film role and also her first collaboration with Matti, one she calls a “dream come true”. This is also the first time that she...
Synopsis
Not much is known of the plot so far, but “Kuwaresma” sees a man return home to find out the reason behind the passing of his young sister, only to discover the secrets and horrors within his family.
Matti is no stranger to the horror genre, with his last horror film “Seklusyon” earning him the best director award at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. The very atmospheric trailer also introduces Filipino icon Sharon Cuneta in her first horror film role and also her first collaboration with Matti, one she calls a “dream come true”. This is also the first time that she...
- 4/6/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
“When you finish your studies, never come back here.”
Within today’s film industry of the Philippines director Raymond Red has to belong to the most important voices of his generation. After winning the Palme d’Or for his short feature “Anino” in 2000, Red began exploring the technical possibilities of the medium while also venturing deep into the fabric of his home country, its divides and its communities. In an interview from 2012 Red explains how he had planned to return to the themes and sets of “Anino” when he started preparing what would ultimately become his fourth feature film titled “Manila Skies”. Especially since the economic chasm between people in his country had widened over the years, a film set in the environment of the poor and the disenfranchised should authentically portray their situation. Red aimed to show the deep wounds, the depression and anger in a society in which...
Within today’s film industry of the Philippines director Raymond Red has to belong to the most important voices of his generation. After winning the Palme d’Or for his short feature “Anino” in 2000, Red began exploring the technical possibilities of the medium while also venturing deep into the fabric of his home country, its divides and its communities. In an interview from 2012 Red explains how he had planned to return to the themes and sets of “Anino” when he started preparing what would ultimately become his fourth feature film titled “Manila Skies”. Especially since the economic chasm between people in his country had widened over the years, a film set in the environment of the poor and the disenfranchised should authentically portray their situation. Red aimed to show the deep wounds, the depression and anger in a society in which...
- 11/23/2018
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
From the creative team behind American Serial Killer in Manila, Filipino director Mikhail Red, producer Pamela Reyes and co-writer Rae Red have offered ScreenAnarchy an exclusive first look at their new project. Birdshot, a Philippine-Qatar co-production supported by the Doha Film Institute, Cj Entertainment, Asian Project Market and Produire au Sud and starring Arnold Reyes, Mary Joy Apostol, Ku Aquino and John Arcilla. When a young farm girl accidentally shoots and kills an endangered Philippine eagle, the authorities begin a manhunt to track down the presumed poacher. However, their investigation instead leads them to an even more horrifying discovery. Hot off the presses, there's no word on when or where Birdshot will premiere yet, but we have the brand new teaser trailer, as well...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/10/2016
- Screen Anarchy
On March 17, at Macau’s Venetian Theater the 10th Asian Film Awards will be underway. Winners from nearly 1,600 submissions from 32 countries will be announced. Since its inauguration in 2007, the award has grown in scale and is now largest film awards event in Asia.
This year, The Assassin has the most nominations (best film, director, actress, supporting actress, cinematography, original music, costume design, production design, and sound). This historical drama featuring Shu Qi has been hailed as “the most ravishingly beautiful film Hou [Hsiao-hsien] has ever made, and certainly one of his most deeply transporting” by Variety.
Bajirao Mastani by Sanjay Leela Bhansali follows with five nominations. This Indian historical romance is one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time. It will compete with The Assassin, Three Stories of Love (Koibito Tachi, Japan), Mr Six (Hu Guan, China) and Veteran (Ryoo Seung-wan, South Korea) in the Best film category.
Asian...
This year, The Assassin has the most nominations (best film, director, actress, supporting actress, cinematography, original music, costume design, production design, and sound). This historical drama featuring Shu Qi has been hailed as “the most ravishingly beautiful film Hou [Hsiao-hsien] has ever made, and certainly one of his most deeply transporting” by Variety.
Bajirao Mastani by Sanjay Leela Bhansali follows with five nominations. This Indian historical romance is one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time. It will compete with The Assassin, Three Stories of Love (Koibito Tachi, Japan), Mr Six (Hu Guan, China) and Veteran (Ryoo Seung-wan, South Korea) in the Best film category.
Asian...
- 2/27/2016
- by Stellarise
- AsianMoviePulse
In an online free live stream conference the Asian Film Award Academy announced the list of nominees for the 10th Asian Film Awards. The Assassin (Taiwan) by Hsiao-Hsien Hou lead the list with 9 nominations (Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Sound), Then comes Bajirao Mastani (India) by Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Best Film, Best Editing, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects) and Port of Call (Hong Kong) by Philip Yung (Best Supporting Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography) with 5 nominations each. Mountains May Depart (China) by Jia Zhang Ke, Mr. Six (China) by Guan Hu and Veteran (South Korea) by Ryoo Seung-wan have 4 nominations each.
Best Film
The Assassin (Nie yin niang) by Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Hong Kong, China, Taiwan | 2015 Bajirao Mastani by Sanjay Leela Bhansali – India...
Best Film
The Assassin (Nie yin niang) by Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Hong Kong, China, Taiwan | 2015 Bajirao Mastani by Sanjay Leela Bhansali – India...
- 2/3/2016
- by Sebastian Nadilo
- AsianMoviePulse
Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin leads the nominations for the 10th Asian Film Awards with nine nods, followed by India’s Bajirao Mastani and Hong Kong’s Port Of Call with five apiece.
The Assassin, which won best director in Cannes last year, was nominated for best film, director, actress (Shu Qi), supporting actress (Zhou Yun), cinematography (Mark Lee Ping-bing) and four other technical categories.
Another sumptious period epic, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, was also nominated for best film, along with best editing, original music, costume design and visual effects.
Philip Yung’s social drama Port Of Call, based on the true story of a mainland prostitute who was murdered in Hong Kong, picked up nods for best supporting actor (Michael Ning), newcomer (Jessie Li), screenplay, editing and Christopher Doyle’s cinematography.
Rounding out the best film category are Jia Zhangke’s Mountains May Depart (France-China); Hashiguchi Ryosuke’s Three Stories Of Love (Japan...
The Assassin, which won best director in Cannes last year, was nominated for best film, director, actress (Shu Qi), supporting actress (Zhou Yun), cinematography (Mark Lee Ping-bing) and four other technical categories.
Another sumptious period epic, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, was also nominated for best film, along with best editing, original music, costume design and visual effects.
Philip Yung’s social drama Port Of Call, based on the true story of a mainland prostitute who was murdered in Hong Kong, picked up nods for best supporting actor (Michael Ning), newcomer (Jessie Li), screenplay, editing and Christopher Doyle’s cinematography.
Rounding out the best film category are Jia Zhangke’s Mountains May Depart (France-China); Hashiguchi Ryosuke’s Three Stories Of Love (Japan...
- 2/3/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Read More: 2016 Oscar Predictions: Best Foreign Language Film Abramorama has announced that it will release Jerrold Tarog's "Heneral Luna," the Philippines' entry for Best Foreign Language Film, in theaters nationwide beginning at the end of the month. "Heneral Luna" has become a cultural phenomenon in its homeland as the highest grossing independent Filipino film of all time. The official synopsis reads: "Set during the Philippine–American war, the epic film recounts the heroic yet tragic story of General Antonio Luna, commander of the Philippine Revolutionary Army and the most brilliant Filipino general, who faced an enemy more treacherous than any foreign colonizer: his own countrymen. The film stars award-winning veteran actor John Arcilla as General Luna." "'Heneral Luna' is an extraordinary film with a loyal, definable, motivated audience, exactly what we look for when taking something on," said Richard...
- 10/20/2015
- by Sonya Saepoff
- Indiewire
‘Metro Manila‘ is the story of a good man in a bad world. All elements in the movie seems to stem from that core principle and the only question left for the story to answer is if a good man can remain good when all odds are piled against him. And, except for the unconditional love of a family, I really mean all odds. Right off the bat, Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal), an ex-military turned farmer, is forced by the severe rural economic crisis to sell all his few belongings and start anew with his family in the fascinating and colorful chaos of Manila, a gritty and chaotic megalopolis where dreams seems to be forged. Unfortunately, as soon he will discover, the city specializes in bad dreams. The relentless, unmerciful, dog-eat-dog pulse of the streets beats the hope out of the Ramirez family bit by bit, bite by bite, until...
- 8/29/2014
- by Miguel Angel Aijon
- AsianMoviePulse
Metro Manila
Written by Sean Ellis & Frank E. Flowers
Directed by Sean Ellis
UK/Philipines, 2013
Manila has the highest population density on the planet. Per square mile there are 111,002 people; by comparison my home of Chicago is only 11,868. While many economists look at the Phillipines as an marketon the rise, the disparity in wealth is the worst in Asia, with the richest families accounting for over 50% of the country’s total family income while the poorest account for less than 5%. In Manila, the rich live in gated communities while the poor live in slums, squatting on abandoned government-owned land. It’s important to know these facts when approaching Sean Ellis’ Metro Manila, because the city plays such a large role in determining the destiny of its characters.
Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and his wife Mai (Althea Vega) are rice farmers who decide moving to the city will yield better opportunities...
Written by Sean Ellis & Frank E. Flowers
Directed by Sean Ellis
UK/Philipines, 2013
Manila has the highest population density on the planet. Per square mile there are 111,002 people; by comparison my home of Chicago is only 11,868. While many economists look at the Phillipines as an marketon the rise, the disparity in wealth is the worst in Asia, with the richest families accounting for over 50% of the country’s total family income while the poorest account for less than 5%. In Manila, the rich live in gated communities while the poor live in slums, squatting on abandoned government-owned land. It’s important to know these facts when approaching Sean Ellis’ Metro Manila, because the city plays such a large role in determining the destiny of its characters.
Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and his wife Mai (Althea Vega) are rice farmers who decide moving to the city will yield better opportunities...
- 8/24/2014
- by Jae K. Renfrow
- SoundOnSight
A Better Life: Ellis’ Latest a Masterful Drama of Sacrifice
British director Sean Ellis brings us to the Philippines with his third feature film, Metro Manila, a bleak and often harrowing portrait of a family’s struggle to build a better life for themselves. Ellis first made headlines for his 2006 debut, romantic comedy Cashback, followed by the international led cast of his oblique 2008 horror film, The Broken, and his latest only proves he’s a filmmaker of varying and styles and techniques. Ellis, also serving as cinematographer for the first time, brings us a grim exercise set in the urban underbelly of Manila and it is as desperately moving as it is unpredictable.
When the price of rice drops significantly, poverty stricken Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and wife Mia (Althea Vega) decide to move with their two children to Manila to see if they might have better luck in the urban metropolis.
British director Sean Ellis brings us to the Philippines with his third feature film, Metro Manila, a bleak and often harrowing portrait of a family’s struggle to build a better life for themselves. Ellis first made headlines for his 2006 debut, romantic comedy Cashback, followed by the international led cast of his oblique 2008 horror film, The Broken, and his latest only proves he’s a filmmaker of varying and styles and techniques. Ellis, also serving as cinematographer for the first time, brings us a grim exercise set in the urban underbelly of Manila and it is as desperately moving as it is unpredictable.
When the price of rice drops significantly, poverty stricken Oscar Ramirez (Jake Macapagal) and wife Mia (Althea Vega) decide to move with their two children to Manila to see if they might have better luck in the urban metropolis.
- 8/21/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Last year, Metro Manila won the big awards at the British Independent Film Awards – Best Picture, Best Director and Best Achievement in Production. Before its huge sweep that night, it garnered wide critical acclaim (we gave it five out of five stars ourselves), and praise for the British filmmaker Sean Ellis.
The director lent us some precious time, revealing that such award-winning recognition hasn’t clouded his judgement. In fact, he’s like he’s always been; cool, collected, a sporting a passion for cinema that we’d like to see him take even further than the BIFAs. Read ahead for our interview with Sean – spoilers included – and be sure to purchase the film when it comes out on DVD on March 10.
I’d just like to start by asking; where did the idea for Metro Manila first come from?
It came from when I was on holiday in the...
The director lent us some precious time, revealing that such award-winning recognition hasn’t clouded his judgement. In fact, he’s like he’s always been; cool, collected, a sporting a passion for cinema that we’d like to see him take even further than the BIFAs. Read ahead for our interview with Sean – spoilers included – and be sure to purchase the film when it comes out on DVD on March 10.
I’d just like to start by asking; where did the idea for Metro Manila first come from?
It came from when I was on holiday in the...
- 3/6/2014
- by Gary Green
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Critically acclaimed and multi-award winning crime thriller Metro Manila releases on DVD 10 March 2014 and to celebrate we have 3 DVDs to give away!
The film tells the story of Oscar Ramirez and his family’s search for a better life in the bustling capital city of Manila. As events take an unexpected turn, he unwittingly endangers himself and his family.
Oscar and Mai Ramirez (Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega) decide to move their two daughters from the poverty-stricken rice fields of the Northern Philippines, and journey towards the capital mega city of Metro Manila. Upon arrival, Oscar and his family fall foul to various city inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of Manila survival. The intensity of the city begins to overwhelm them as Mai reluctantly takes employment in a local strip club, while the family winds up sleeping in a shack in the slum district.
A glimmer of...
The film tells the story of Oscar Ramirez and his family’s search for a better life in the bustling capital city of Manila. As events take an unexpected turn, he unwittingly endangers himself and his family.
Oscar and Mai Ramirez (Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega) decide to move their two daughters from the poverty-stricken rice fields of the Northern Philippines, and journey towards the capital mega city of Metro Manila. Upon arrival, Oscar and his family fall foul to various city inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of Manila survival. The intensity of the city begins to overwhelm them as Mai reluctantly takes employment in a local strip club, while the family winds up sleeping in a shack in the slum district.
A glimmer of...
- 3/1/2014
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The critically acclaimed and multi-award winning crime thriller Metro Manila, from Director Sean Ellis, will be available on demand 17th February and comes to DVD & Blu-ray 10th March 2014. The film was the biggest winner at the British Independent Film Awards 2013 picking up three trophies including Best British Independent Film and Best Director for Sean Ellis (Cashback, The Broken). It’s also been selected as the UK’s official submission in the Best Foreign Language Film Award category for the Oscars 2014. All in all it’s a cert buy. The only downer we can put on the whole thing is the DVD cover. Couldn’t they have picked something a little less...well...Beige? Synopsis: Oscar and Mai Ramirez (Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega) decide to move their two daughters from the poverty-stricken rice fields of the Northern Philippines, and journey towards the capital mega city of Metro Manila. Upon arrival,...
- 2/8/2014
- 24framespersecond.net
The critically acclaimed and multi-award winning crime thriller Metro Manila, from Director Sean Ellis, will be available on demand 17th February and comes to DVD & Blu-ray 10th March 2014. The film was the biggest winner at the British Independent Film Awards 2013 picking up three trophies including Best British Independent Film and Best Director for Sean Ellis (Cashback, The Broken). It’s also been selected as the UK’s official submission in the Best Foreign Language Film Award category for the Oscars 2014. All in all it’s a cert buy. The only downer we can put on the whole thing is the DVD cover. Couldn’t they have picked something a little less...well...Beige? Synopsis: Oscar and Mai Ramirez (Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega) decide to move their two daughters from the poverty-stricken rice fields of the Northern Philippines, and journey towards the capital mega city of Metro Manila. Upon arrival,...
- 2/8/2014
- 24framespersecond.net
Sean Ellis's Metro Manila was the big winner at last night's Moët British Independent Film Awards.
The film, which centres on a family who flee the rice fields of the Philippines to start a new life in Manila, won Best Director, Best Achievement in Production and Best British Independent Film.
The Best Actor prize went to James McAvoy for Filth, while Le Week-End's Lindsay Duncan took home the Best Actress award. Imogen Poots collected the Supporting Actress gong for The Look of Love and Ben Mendelsohn won Best Supporting Actor for Starred Up.
Special awards on the night were handed to Julie Walters, who took the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British film, and Paul Greengrass, recipient of the Variety Award for helping to shine the world spotlight on the UK.
The Bifa winners in full are as follows:
Best British Independent Film
Metro Manila -...
The film, which centres on a family who flee the rice fields of the Philippines to start a new life in Manila, won Best Director, Best Achievement in Production and Best British Independent Film.
The Best Actor prize went to James McAvoy for Filth, while Le Week-End's Lindsay Duncan took home the Best Actress award. Imogen Poots collected the Supporting Actress gong for The Look of Love and Ben Mendelsohn won Best Supporting Actor for Starred Up.
Special awards on the night were handed to Julie Walters, who took the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British film, and Paul Greengrass, recipient of the Variety Award for helping to shine the world spotlight on the UK.
The Bifa winners in full are as follows:
Best British Independent Film
Metro Manila -...
- 12/9/2013
- Digital Spy
Concluding our coverage of this evening’s British Independent Film Awards we present our interviews after the announcements were made and the winners soaked up the congratulations backstage.
If you missed our red carpet coverage can you catch up here, and the full list of winners can be found here.
It has been a fantastic night, a great and necessary celebration of the talent within our shores. See you next year…
Paul Wright
Steven Knight
Paul Greengrass (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin
Imogen Poots (Won Best Actress)
Amy Hubbard (Casting Director – The Selfish Giant)
Chloe Pirrie (Best Newcomer – Shell)
Lindsay Duncan (Le-Weekend Best Actress)
James McAvoy (Filth Best Actor)
Jason Isaacs (Presenting Richard Harris Award)
Rebecca O’Brien (16 Films)
Julie Walters (Winners Room – Richard Harris Award)
Sean Ellis (Metro Manila Best Director)
Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla (Metro Manila – Best Film)
Lindsay Duncan
The post The HeyUGuys Interviews:...
If you missed our red carpet coverage can you catch up here, and the full list of winners can be found here.
It has been a fantastic night, a great and necessary celebration of the talent within our shores. See you next year…
Paul Wright
Steven Knight
Paul Greengrass (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin
Imogen Poots (Won Best Actress)
Amy Hubbard (Casting Director – The Selfish Giant)
Chloe Pirrie (Best Newcomer – Shell)
Lindsay Duncan (Le-Weekend Best Actress)
James McAvoy (Filth Best Actor)
Jason Isaacs (Presenting Richard Harris Award)
Rebecca O’Brien (16 Films)
Julie Walters (Winners Room – Richard Harris Award)
Sean Ellis (Metro Manila Best Director)
Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla (Metro Manila – Best Film)
Lindsay Duncan
The post The HeyUGuys Interviews:...
- 12/9/2013
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This evening in London the winners of the 2013 British Independent Film Awards were announced and we were on hand to interview the great and good as they arrived to one of the highlights of the British film year.
Once again it was a major showcase for the wealth of emerging talent in this country with some of the year’s best films getting a shout-out in the awards. Each year the British Independent scene grows stronger and there is a greater spotlight shone on it each year, these awards are an indication of that strength.
Stefan Pape was our man on the red carpet and you can find his interviews below. More interviews will be added throughout the night.
Julie Walters
Tom Hardy
Eddie Marsan
Jim Broadbent
Ken Loach
Paul Greengrass
Steve Coogan
Will Poulter
Lesley Manville
Mark Strong
Saoirse Ronan
Shaun Thomas and Conner Chapman
Shirley Henderson
Tina Gharavi...
Once again it was a major showcase for the wealth of emerging talent in this country with some of the year’s best films getting a shout-out in the awards. Each year the British Independent scene grows stronger and there is a greater spotlight shone on it each year, these awards are an indication of that strength.
Stefan Pape was our man on the red carpet and you can find his interviews below. More interviews will be added throughout the night.
Julie Walters
Tom Hardy
Eddie Marsan
Jim Broadbent
Ken Loach
Paul Greengrass
Steve Coogan
Will Poulter
Lesley Manville
Mark Strong
Saoirse Ronan
Shaun Thomas and Conner Chapman
Shirley Henderson
Tina Gharavi...
- 12/9/2013
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
It’s a very important night for British film. Celebrating, in a way the BAFTAs can’t, the vital new talents emerging in this country. The British Independent Film Awards is one of our favourite nights of the year, as much a routemap for the people to watch over the next year as it is a celebration of them.
The sheer variety of films nominated is evidence of the potent creative landscape of Britain. From the crowd pleasing and inspirational journey of Steve Coogan and Judi Dench in Philomena, through the haunted and surreal discovery of Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, to the barren urban clash of Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant this country has an independent film industry to be proud of.
There was a great swell of support for one film in particular but the awards point to many successes here. It’s great to see...
The sheer variety of films nominated is evidence of the potent creative landscape of Britain. From the crowd pleasing and inspirational journey of Steve Coogan and Judi Dench in Philomena, through the haunted and surreal discovery of Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, to the barren urban clash of Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant this country has an independent film industry to be proud of.
There was a great swell of support for one film in particular but the awards point to many successes here. It’s great to see...
- 12/8/2013
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Judi Dench, Scarlett Johansson: 2013 British Independent Film Awards nominations (photo: Judi Dench in ‘Philomena’) Since the likes of Judi Dench, Scarlett Johansson, James McAvoy, and Tom Hardy are in the running for the 2013 British Independent Film Awards, expect at least a little overlapping between the determinedly indie-oriented BIFAs and other awards season nominees and/or winners elsewhere. (See also: “Judi Dench Sole Bifa Nominee Surely to Get BAFTA, Oscar Nominations.”) Judi Dench and Scarlett Johansson are competing in the Best Actress category; Dench for Stephen Frears’ Philomena, Johansson for Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin. Tom Hardy and James McAvoy are in the running for the Best Actor British Independent Film Award; Hardy for Steven Knight’s Locke, McAvoy for Jon S. Baird’s Filth. The top Bifa 2013 movie, however, is David Mackenzie’s Starred Up, with a total of eight nominations including Best British Independent Film, Best Director,...
- 11/14/2013
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
While the Oscars and BAFTAs take up a fair share of the awards spotlight the British Independent Film Awards (or the BIFAs as they are lovingly referred to) are, to our mind, a far more exciting and precise barometer of the state of British film.
It matters not how many La-based golden statues are picked up by the British each February, it is the winners and nominees of the BIFAs which point, once again, to a thrilling year in British film with invention and stark, raving talent at the forefront.
Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant is rightly garlanded with nominations, as is David Mackenzie’s Lff-choice for many, Starred Up. Perhaps the more noticeable names of the Philomena cast and crew are present an dcorrect however it’s the slew of nominations for Jon Baird’s Filth and Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin which are very gratifying. Scarlett Johansson...
It matters not how many La-based golden statues are picked up by the British each February, it is the winners and nominees of the BIFAs which point, once again, to a thrilling year in British film with invention and stark, raving talent at the forefront.
Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant is rightly garlanded with nominations, as is David Mackenzie’s Lff-choice for many, Starred Up. Perhaps the more noticeable names of the Philomena cast and crew are present an dcorrect however it’s the slew of nominations for Jon Baird’s Filth and Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin which are very gratifying. Scarlett Johansson...
- 11/11/2013
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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