‘The selected entries span various genres, including suspense-drama, horror, comedy, family drama, and musical, proving that story is king and of prime importance.’
As we gear up for the 50th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the most popular and biggest film festival in the Philippines, selection committee chairman Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo has chosen the top five scripts from the 39 submissions that will form the first batch of official entries for MMFF 2024.
The selected entries span various genres, suspense-drama, horror, comedy, family drama, and musical. Here is the roster of exceptional stories we can look forward to this coming holiday season: proving that story is king and of prime importance. Take your pick.
“Green Bones” is produced by GMA Pictures, directed by Zig Dulay, the first written by Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, and starring Dennis Trillo, Sofia Pablo and Ruru Madrid. This suspense drama film is about a notorious criminal, Domingo Zamora, for the grisly murder of his sister and niece who will soon be released from prison as he had accumulated good conduct time throughout his stay in prison. But a newly assigned corrections officer, Xavier Gonzaga, whose older sister was robbed and killed, takes a personal interest in making sure that the murderer remains behind bars no matter what it takes. Xavier knows that Domingo is bad to the bone and there’s only one person in his life who was truly noble — his sister whose green bones he still carries in a pendant. Will Xavier succeed in proving his hunch, or will something unexpected happen inside the walls of San Fabian?
“Strange Frequencies: Haunted Hospital” is produced by Reality MM Studios, Inc., directed by Kerwin Go, written by Kewrin Go, Dustin Celestino, and Leovic Arceta, and starring Jane De Leon, Alexa Miro, MJ Lastimosa, and Enrique Gil. This horror film is about a team of adventurous celebrities whoare invited to explore and film in Taiwan’s infamous XinglinHospital, one of the most haunted locations in Southeast Asia. What was thought to be a unique opportunity for an adventurous and cutting edge production quickly spirals into a horrifying ordeal — escalating to horrifying levels as the celebrities face paranormal phenomena in every halls, room, and floors reek presence that makes every inch of their bodies want to scream and escape. As tensions rise, the group became fragmented because of their strong personalities, conflicting motivations and they became pawns of a malevolent entity. The celebrities need to make difficult choices and sacrifices to survive their journey in the haunted hospital.
“And the Breadwinner Is…” is produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. and The Idea First Company, directed by Jun Robles Lana, written by Daisy Cayanan, Jumbo Albano, and Jun Robles Lana, and starring Vice Ganda, Gina Pareno, Eugene Domingo, Maris Racal, Jhong Hilario, and Kokoy De Santos. This comedy film is about a mistaken identity which leads to a promising opportunity when designated breadwinner, Bambi Salvador, played by Vice Ganda, heads home to her own funeral. Turns out, Bambi was robbed by a thief who eventually got into a horrific accident, face crushed but with all of Bambi’s belongings — leaving the authorities and her family to presume it was her. With a 10 million insurance claim under her name on the line, Bambi may finally reclaim their home that was mortgaged due to piles of debt. Bambi, together with her dysfunctional family, decides to keep the ridiculous act of her death in order to claim money that will solve all their problems. Now, Bambi has 40 days to play dead to keep her family alive — with or without her.
“The Kingdom” is produced by APT Entertainment, Inc., M-Zet TV Productions, Inc., and MQuest Ventures, Inc., directed by Michael Tuvera, DGPI, written by Michelle Ngu-Nario, and starring Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual. This action family drama film tells the story of Lakan Makisig, called the Kingdom of Katagalugan, who is anxious about who among his three children is the rightful heir. Of the 3, the closest child to his heart is Dayang Lualhati who gets kidnapped by a group of men from a secessionist group. The Lakan mobilizes his army to save the kidnapped child but to no avail, even claiming the life of his eldest child. Later, Lualhati was saved by an outcast man accused of being the kidnapper when he brings Lualhati back to the palace. Facing imminent death, Sulo calls for a duel, invoking an ancient law where one could challenge another to death in exchange for freedom. The Lakan is killed during the duel and later it is found that the eldest child of Lakanis the one who staged the kidnapping to eliminate his sibling. In the end, Lualhati was crowned as queen of the kingdom.
“Himala: Isang Musikal” is produced by Jose Lorenzo Diokno and Madonna Tarrayo, directed by Jose Lorenzo Diokno, written by Ricky Lee and Jose Lorenzo Diokno, and starring Aicelle Santos, Kakki Teodoro, Bituin Escalante, David Ezra and Vic Robinson. This musical film is a story about Elsa, a simple woman from barrio Cupang. During an eclipse, she hears strange sounds calling her and telling her that she has been chosen by the Blessed Mother to heal the sick. When news about her ability to heal people spread, her small barrio became a pilgrimage site for people who wanted to be healed from their physical sickness. As more people believe in Elsa’s ability to heal, her relationship with her family and relatives and the people in the barrio change. The music and lyrics of the songs in the film gives life to the story about the difficulties, hope and unending questions of the people about life and true miracles.
These films make for half of our film viewing fare this Christmas. The next batch of selection will be based on finished film submissions with a September 30 deadline at the MMFF MMDA Secretariat Office in Pasig. We are looking forward to a real golden harvest for films this year!
