The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) celebrated its 50th year by rounding up the films for this year’s festival. The MMFF announced the first five films earlier this year, with the final batch of entries announced this October, reflecting a growing diversity in Philippine cinema, showcasing drama, comedy, horror, action, romance and everything in between.Â
Here’s a closer look at each of the selected films.
My Future You
Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin take the lead in Crisanto Aquino’s directorial effort. The story follows Mika (Diaz), a highschooler with big dreams for her future. Her life takes an unexpected twist when she meets Ken (Fedelin), a boy from the future. As Ken introduces Mika to the possibilities of the future, she finds herself torn between ambition and following her heart.
Uninvited
Dan Villegas directs this psychological thriller starring Vilma Santos-Recto, Nadine Lustre, and Aga Muhlach. The story is set in an opulent mansion where Guilly (Muhlach) is celebrating his 55th birthday. The film explores the tension between Lilia/Eva (Santos-Recto), Nicole (Lustre) and Guilly as the night of celebrations devolves into something sinister that has ties to each of their pasts.
Topakk
Directed by Richard Somes, this action thriller stars Arjo Atayde as Isaac, a war veteran struggling with the effects of PTSD after returning home from a military assignment. Isaac crosses paths with Lira (Julia Montes), a woman facing her own personal battles. Together, they get involved in a conspiracy, forcing Isaac to rely on his combat skills to survive.
Hold Me Close
JP Laxamana returns to direct another romantic drama starring Carlo Aquino and Julia Barretto. Woody (Aquino) plays a wanderer who meets a woman (Barretto) with the special ability to tell if someone will bring happiness or harm into her life. As their lives mend together, will fate dictate the direction of their relationship, or will they break free from the shackles that bind them?
Espantaho
In this supernatural thriller by Chito Roño, a woman confronts the terrifying secrets of her family’s past. The film stars an ensemble cast with Judy Ann Santos, Lorna tolentino, JC Santos, Mon Confiado, Eugine Domingo, Tommy Abuel and Janice de Belen.
And The Breadwinner Is…
In this Jun Robles Lana-directed comedy-drama, Vice Ganda stars as Bambi Salvador, an overseas Filipino worker who sends her income home to the Philippines to help build her dream house. On a visit to the Philippines, she comes home to a dilapidated house and discovers that the money she’s been sending hasn’t been used as intended. The film explores what it’s like to be a breadwinner and is a tribute to the unsung heroes of every family.
Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital
Directed by Kerwin Go, this found footage film stars Enrique Gil, Jane de Leon, Alexa Miro, Rob Gomez, MJ Lastimosa, Raf Pineda and Zarckaroo as themselves in this fourth-wall breaking horror. The film follows a group of celebrities doing a ghost hunting project as they enter Xinglin Hospital, the most haunted place in Taiwan. They bite off more than they can chew as unexplainable things begin to happen to the crew during their stay.
Isang Himala
Directed by Pepe Diokno, this is a movie adaptation of the musical, which is an adaptation of the classic film Himala. This remake stars Aicelle Santos as Elsa, a woman who claims to witness a miraculous vision, which sparks religious and social problems in her small village. As the town descends into chaos, themes of faith, exploitation, and mass hysteria are explored for the audience to see just what miracles are made of.
The Kingdom
Michael Tuviera directs this fantasy-comedy starring Vic Sotto as Bartolome, an unsuspecting man who stumbles into a magical kingdom. There, he meets Prince Arvin (Piolo Pascual), and together they embark on an adventure to save the realm from an evil sorcerer. Filled with humor and magical escapades, the film promises to be a delightful family-friendly offering this MMFF season.
Green Bones
This drama film is helmed by Zig Dulay, the director of last year’s Best Picture Firefly. Green Bones centers on an inmate (Dennis Trillo) awaiting freedom and a corrections officer (Ruru Madrid) opposing his release as he grieves over the death of her sister. Will justice prevail, or is the truth better left buried?
This year’s MMFF brings a lot of color to Filipino cinema with diverse movies, provoking themes and star-studded casts. With the premier of these films coming up on Christmas day, which MMFF entry are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!