Christmas is just around the corner, which means the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is also upon us! One of the few instances where cinemas are on Pinoy-movies lockdown, the MMFF is the perfect opportunity to enjoy and show our appreciation for our homegrown films.
Screenplay Entries
Miracle in Cell No. 7
Director: Nuel Crisostomo Naval
Production company: Viva Films
A remake of the award-winning 2013 South Korean film of the same name, Miracle in Cell No. 7 follows the story of a mentally impaired father (Aga Muhlach) and his daughter (Xia Vigor, later Bela Padilla) as they try to come together in the midst of a wrongful accusation and imprisonment. The film is rounded up by a star-studded cast: JC Santos, Joel Torre, Jojit Lorenzo, Mon Confiado, and Soliman Cruz.
Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity
Director: Michael Tuviera
Production companies: APT Entertainment, Inc, M-ZET Production
A master thief (Vic Sotto) gathers a team of specialists to pull off the heist of their lives. Sotto is joined by Maine Mendoza, Pokwang, Jake Cuenca, Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, and Tonton Gutierez.
Sunod
Director: Barry Gonzales
Production companies: Ten17P, Globe Studios
Carmina Villaroel plays a mother who is desperate to save her sick daughter and ends up taking a job at a call center where she is haunted by a ghost.
The Mall, The Merrier
Director: Carlo Ledesma
Production companies: ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., Viva Films
Rival siblings Moira and Morisette (Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis) must team up to stop their Aunt Moody (Dimples Romana) from taking over the world.
Finished Film Entries
Mindanao
Director: Brillante Mendoza
Production company: Center Stage Productions
This internationally award-winning film follows the story of Muslim woman Saima Datupalo (Judy Ann Santos), struggling to take care of her cancer-stricken daughter (Yuna Tangog) and worrying over her combat-medic husband (Allen Dizon) still in an offensive operation in Maguindanao.
Write About Love
Director: Crisanto B. Aquino
Production company: TBA Studios
A hopeful newbie writer (Miles Ocampo) is paired with a seasoned and jaded writer (Rocco Nacino) to create a script that tells a love story of a lifetime.
3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon
Director: Rodel Nacianceno
Production company: CCM Film Productions
Framed for the murder of his superior, a cop (Coco Martin) needs to prove his innocence. The cast is round up by Jennylyn Mercado, Ai-Ai delas Alas, and Sam Milby.
Culion
Director: Alvin Yapan
Production company: iOptions Ventures Corp.
Written by Ricky Lee, Culion is a story of both the place and the people. At a time when the leper disease is practically a death sentence, three leper patients are stuck in the Land of the Living Dead, all with different mindsets—Anna (Iza Calzado) remains hopeful, Doris (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) waits for a diwata to save them, and Ditas (Meryll Soriano) just wants to end her life.
All films will run in the cinemas from 25 December 2019 to 7 January 2020.
Which film are you excited to see? Tell us below!
