UAE-based Pinoys' production finalist at Cannes World 2021

A film of a Filipino production in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was acclaimed finalist recently at the Cannes World Film Festival in France.

"Every filmmaker would always dream and aim to be a part of a prestigious international film festival such as the Cannes World Film Festival. This is where the big boys of the industry compete, that is why the whole team of Kikoman Films is still digesting the fact that we have entered the finals," admitted Francis Luscianne Javier Gacer, a designer-turned-director in a multinational supermarket chain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Angas" is a fiction film based on the realities of life in Manila.

It is a product of his brainstorming with the other KMF members while they are having coffee.

Photos courtesy of Francis Lucianne Javier Gacer

“The film that we have submitted is ‘Angas’ (The Badass). It was conceptualized while some of the KMF members were having coffee with me. We thought of shooting an action full length film but would convey different real life stories in the Philippine urbanized and congested areas,” he added in an interview via Messenger on October 19.

“The storyline is my original creation. I have written the script and it took us more than a month to flesh it out in shoots. And it took almost two months in editing because a lot of circumstances that came along the way hampered the processes.”

The day after “Angas” was selected as a finalist at the Cannes World Film Festival, Gacer received an email informing him that the film was also selected as a finalist at the Stockholm City Film Festival.

“That really cemented our calling as a team and has engraved the Kikoman Films in the roster of the known filmmakers.”

The main characters of the film were Dubai-based OFWs Joseph Binayao, Ron Jordan de Ocampo, Dee Asuncion, Jennelyn Empasis, Ben John Tamayo, Meljun Viloria, and Arianne Sebastian.

On the other hand, supporting cast members include  Allyson Sadian, Phemelyn Cagadas, Renee "Rampa” Dela Merced, Ronald Dandan, Anne Barredo, Hera Mae Magdalene "Maia" Sanoy, Karla Dimaun, Rances Sagabay, Ralchie Mc Andrewz Gelena, J.Julian Dancel, Mark Stephen Yucada, Gywn Jerimille Claveria, Kimberly Dalisay, Wendy Pasion Tembrina, Vergil Layong, Joey Capati, and Jai Cast.

Its two original theme songs “Respeto” and “Buhawi,” meanwhile, were composed by Lord Akuma and Anthony “Makavely” Noche, and Click C and Noche respectively. —LBG, GMA News