Director Quark Henares’ film “Marupok AF (Where Is the Lie)” was initially rated X by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in its first review. When it was resubmitted for another review, it received an R-18 rating, and the title was changed from “Marupok AF” to “Marupok A+.”
The movie was rated R-18 reportedly because of its language. Director Quark clarified that the lines are conversational and the terms, commonly used. There is a masturbation scene involving Maris Racal, one of the lead actors, but nothing explicit is shown.
“Suggestive lang, tapos mga mura,” said director Quark.
“Marupok A+” centers on the theme of catfishing in the online dating world. When Janzen Torres (EJ Jallorina), a transgender woman, matches with Theo Balmacenda (Royce Cabrera), it seems that love is right around the corner, but she soon learns that not everything is what it seems, and Theo might be luring her into something dangerous.
EJ started out as a child performer in the hit TV show “Goin’ Bulilit.” His other TV shows and movies are “Marry Me, Marry You” and “Mamu, and a Mother Too.” Identifying as a transgender person, EJ was part of Preview’s iconic Pride cover for June 2023.
Royce, meanwhile, had his breakout role in the 2019 Cinemalaya film “Fucbois” and went on to be on the cast of the GMA TV series “Makiling,” “Lilet Matias Attorney At Law,” “The Write One” and “Widows’ War.”
Maris plays Beanie, a twisted director who is heavily involved in the Janzen-Theo affair. The “Pinoy Big Brother” almunus is known for her character Irene Young-Tiu in “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Initially shown at last year’s Cinemalaya, “Marupok A+” is showing exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas starting July 10.
