Here’s praying that all the entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will earn money at the tills.
The last couple of years have not been good for the entertainment industry, especially the films. Whether it is the pandemic, the proliferation of streaming sites, the ticket price, or the quality of the movie, the box office take of recent local productions has been dismal.
There are exceptions, of course, but generally, local producers have been finding it hard to recoup their investments.
It’s a good thing several MMFF entries this year seem to be crowd drawers. There are the usual rom-com and ribticklers and then, there are the intriguing “Nanahimik ang Gabi” with Ian Veneracion and Heaven Peralejo, the touching “My Teacher” of Toni Gonzaga and Joey de Leon, the dramatic “Family Matters,” and the thrilling “Deleter” of Nadine Lustre.
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‘Whether it is the pandemic, the proliferation of streaming sites, the ticket price, or the quality of the movie, the box office take of recent local productions has been dismal.’
Photo from Nadine Lustre’s Instagram account
Speaking of Nadine, the actress loves her role in “Deleter” and is looking forward to taking on more challenging characters. That does not mean she will no more accept dramatic or rom-com roles. She cut her teeth and earned a lot of fans starring in rom-coms.
However, the actress admitted during “Deleter’s” press con that the horror genre has always been her favorite. She said she would not hesitate working anew with “Deleter” director Mikhail Red, who is all praises for Nadine.
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Heaven, meanwhile, did not allow herself to be left behind by her more senior co-stars, Mon Confiado and Ian Veneracion.
The 23-year-old delivered not only in her controversial sexy scenes, but also in the film’s most exciting moments.
All the action in Rein Entertainment’s “Nanahimik ang Gabi” happens in one night and involves just three characters.
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Veteran actor Joey de Leon and Toni Gonzaga have made a name for being competent headliners, so it’s no surprise if people are predicting that the two will make viewers laugh and cry in “My Teacher.”
Senior stars Liza Lorena and Noel Trinidad are also expected to tug at the heartstrings with their stirring performances as an old married couple in “Family Matters.” Liza and Noel prove that they only improve with age, as they test their acting mettle against the other notable performers in the cast such as Nonie Buencamino, Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon and JC Santos.
We wish the viewers will watch in the cinemas and feel that they got their money’s worth.
Merry Christmas, dear readers. God bless us all.
