Internationally acclaimed Filipino films featured at Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020
Movie theaters worldwide are shutting their doors because of the global COVID-19 crisis, which prompted movie producers to postpone the showing of their movies to avoid spreading the virus.
Fortunately for Filipino cinephiles, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) decided to continue its annual Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, albeit online.
Instead of showing new films, this year's Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino will showcase internationally acclaimed films and documentaries like GMA's award-winning movies Jose Rizal, Muro Ami, and Sa Pusod ng Dagat.
If you can't watch all the films that will be shown from October 31 to December 13 on FDCP's website, here's a quick guide of what to watch during the festival.
Ma' Rosa
Starring Jaclyn Jose, Julio Diaz, and Baron Geisler
Directed by Brillante Mendoza
Source: imdb.com
Veteran actress Jaclyn Jose made headlines in 2016 after winning the Best Actress award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.
In the movie, Jaclyn portrayed Rosa, who is married to Nestor (Julio Diaz) and a mother of four children. Rosa had a sari-sari store in Manila neighborhood, but their growing family forced her to sell illegal drugs in her store.
Ma' Rosa was selected as the Filipino entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Verdict
Starring Maxine Eigenmann and Kristoffer King
Directed by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez
Source: imdb.com
The Film Academy of the Philippines selected Verdict as the Philippine entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Top-billed by indie actors Max Eigenmann and Kristoffer King, the film revolves around the Santos family. Joy Santos, portrayed by Max, is an abused and battered wife who stands up for justice against her abusive husband Dante (Kristoffer King).
Verdict was screened first as part of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, before being part of 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
The movie also received the special jury prize at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.
Sa Pusod ng Dagat
Starring Jomari Yllana, Chin Chin Gutierrez, and Elizabeth Oropesa
Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Source: imdb.com
Produced by multi-awarded film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya and current GMA Network President and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr., Sa Pusod ng Dagat had received invitations from 17 prestigious international film festivals.
Released in 1998 by GMA Films (now GMA Pictures), Sa Pusod ng Dagat tells the story of Pepito (Jomari Yllana), the son of the village's only midwife Rosa (Elizabeth Oropesa). Rosa, who is a widow, becomes pregnant in a secret affair with her husband's married friend.
Rosa decided to commit suicide to protect her son from shame and embarrassment. With his mother dead, Pepito became the village's midwife, a role that was traditionally meant only for women.
Sa Pusod ng Dagat made it to the Chicago International Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival, Nantes Festival of Free Continent, and Chicago Film Festival. The film was also selected as the country's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 71st Academy Awards.
Muro-Ami
Starring Cesar Montano, Pen Medina, and Jhong Hilario
Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Source: imdb.com
Another Marilou Diaz-Abaya classic is GMA Films's Muro-Ami, starring Cesar Montano, Pen Medina, and Jhong Hilario.
Muro-Ami depicts one of the worst forms of child labor in the illegal fishing system. The story revolves around Fredo (Cesar Montano), a ruthless captain of 150 muro-ami divers who use illegal fishing practices.
To meet the high demand, Fredo forced the divers, mostly children, to do at least eight dives a day to catch enough fish.
The film has won 13 out of 14 nominations in the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Jose Rizal
Starring Cesar Montano, Chin Chin Gutierrez, and Mickey Ferriols
Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Source: imdb.com
Jose Rizal is arguable the best Filipino film that tackles the life of the country's national hero Jose Rizal, during his imprisonment at Fort Santiago until his death in Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park).
Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and produced by GMA Network's Gilberto Duavit Jr., Felipe Gozon, and Menardo Jimenez, Jose Rizal was the most expensive film at the time of its release with a budget of over 80 million pesos.
Jose Rizal still holds the record of most-wins at the Metro Manila Film Festival, winning 17 awards in the 1998 edition. The only trophy Jose Rizal did not take home that night was the Best Actress award, won by Alice Dixson for Sambahin ang Ngalan Mo.
These are only five of more than 150 titles available to stream from October 31 to December 13 on FDCP's website.
From October 31 to December 13, 80 short films from the CineMarya Women's Film Festival, Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition, and 21 regional film festivals will be available for free on FDCPChannel.ph. Meanwhile, paid subscription is needed to stream 90 full-length films from November 20 to December 13 in FDCP's four virtual cinemas: Manila, Iloilo, Davao, and Nabunturan, on the same website.
There are four types of passes for this year's Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, free pass, day pass, half-run pass, and premium festival pass.
In Free Pass, you can access the PPP Short Film Showcase, Special Sandaan Screening, Full List of Films, Festival Calendar, Festival Guide, and PPP Public Events.
In Day Pass (PhP 99), and Half-Run Pass (PhP 299), you can access all of Free Pass's benefits plus the main feature film showcase (except premium selection titles), and two virtual Cinematheque screens. The day pass subscription activates 24 hours from the date of purchase while the half-run pass gives you 12-day access.
In Premium Festival Pass (PhP 599), you can access all of Free Pass's benefits plus main feature film showcase (including premium selection titles), all four virtual Cinematheque screens, Q&A sessions with premium showcase case and director, panel sessions, masterclasses, and lectures, PPP Grand Virtual FanCon on November 14, and 15% discount on all PPP Merchandise. An early bird promo of PhP 450 for the Premium Festival Pass is available until November 8.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines also announced that they will be giving a 20% discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and a 30% discount for students.
There is also a free festival pass, in which you can access and watch the free content, library of films, and the festival's calendar.
To know more about the 2020 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, visit their websites at FDCP.ph, FDCPChannel.ph, and their official social media accounts.