This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie line-up sees a number of promising new films that cover a wide range of topics, from revenge stories to justice system thrillers to traditional haunted house legends. Scheduled to run from December 25 to January 7, MMFF — now celebrating its 50th anniversary — is set to screen the most talked-about Filipino movies of the year in 900 cinemas across the country.
As the biggest commercial film festival in the Philippines, the MMFF has showcased some of the biggest blockbusters that Filipino cinema has to offer. The festival began in 1975, when then-First Lady Imelda Marcos pushed for its establishment amidst the turbulence of her husband’s presidency. The festival is credited with screening several films from the second “Golden Age” of Philippine cinema, including Himala, Ora Plata Mata, and Karnal, to name a few.
However, the MMFF has also seen its fair share of controversies. From widespread complaints of overcommercialized film programming to suddenly changing award categories to organizers who may not necessarily have the best interest of filmmakers in mind, the MMFF has weathered many controversial storms.
But with the 2024 MMFF just around the corner, it is important to wade through the controversy and see how several of this year’s films demonstrate the potential to excite, scare, and connect with audiences across the country. As the buzz builds before the festival, Rolling Stone Philippines rounds up five titles that are sure to have moviegoers talking long after the credits roll.
‘Espantaho’
Director Chito Roño (Feng Shui, The Healing, Sukob) returns to his horror roots with his latest film, Espantaho. Boasting acting powerhouses Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino as its leading ladies, Espantaho tells the story of a daughter (Santos) and mother (Tolentino) mourning the death of the family patriarch, Pabling (Emil Sandoval). As the family prepares for the nine days of pasiyam, a supernatural presence begins to make itself known in the old family home.
‘Hold Me Close’
Starring Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino, Hold Me Close by director Jason Paul Laxamana is a romantic fantasy film. It focuses on Woody, a tourist in Japan who meets Lynlyn, a young woman who has the power of knowing if someone will cause her harm or happiness, just by touching them. Hold Me Close is the second collaboration among Barretto, Aquino, and Laxamana — the first one being the 2022 film Expensive Candy.
‘Uninvited’
With a star studded cast consisting of Vilma Santos, Nadine Lustre, and Aga Muhlach, Uninvited is set to be one of the more thrilling and dramatic entries in this year’s festival. Little is known about the plot yet, except that Santos’ character Lilia/Eva is set on getting revenge from billionaire Guilly played by Muhlach. The idea for the film, which will tackle sensitive topics such as physical abuse and violence, originated from Santos herself.
‘Isang Himala’
Based on the 1982 classic Himala (directed by National Artist Ishmael Bernal and starring National Artist/cinema icon Nora Aunor), Isang Himala is the classic’s highly anticipated musical adaptation. Directed by GomBurZa director Pepe Diokno, the film stars singer-actress Aicelle Santos as Aunor’s character Elsa, a faith healer whose miracles spark intense devotion and criticism in a remote rural town. Prior to its cinematic release, Isang Himala had a run as a theatrical production, with Santos as Elsa. Being the only musical among this year’s MMFF films, Isang Himala boasts grandiose, dramatic song numbers with Santos lending her impressive vocal power and emotional delivery.
‘Green Bones’
Green Bones starring Dennis Trillo, Kyle Padilla, and Ruru Madrid, follows criminal Domingo Zamora and his correctional officer Javier Gonzaga, who attempts to prevent Zamora from being released from prison. Directed by Gawad Urian Award winner Zig Dulay, Green Bones is billed to be a gripping drama that delves deep into the country’s justice system. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee is among the team of screenwriters who worked on the film.
