Movies / MMFF 2016

Metro Manila Film Festival 2016: A guide to the MMFF films you can catch in Legazpi

Here are the films slated to hold their provincial screenings on movie theaters in the city starting December 25.

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) feature film lineup surprised everyone, as the massive changes on the festival’s selection criteria and practices were introduced following last year’s controversial run.

The eight official entries in the feature-length categories are: Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough, Die Beautiful, Kabisera, Oro, Saving Sally, Seklusyon, Sunday Beauty Queen, and Vince & Kath & James.

The MMFF, which has been part of the Filipino Christmas tradition for years, will run from December 25 until January 7 in Metro Manila and several cinemas nationwide.

So far, here are the films Aquinian Herald has confirmed will be able to hold screenings here in Legazpi City starting December 25.

‘Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough’

(A. Bichara Silverscreens, Ayala Malls Legazpi, Pacific Mall Legazpi)

Starring: Eugene Domingo, Jericho Rosales

Directed by: Marlon Rivera

‘Die Beautiful’

(A. Bichara Silverscreens, Ayala Malls Legazpi)

Starring: Paolo Ballesteros

Directed by: Jun Robles Lana

‘Kabisera’

(Ayala Malls Legazpi)

Starring: Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri, Rj Agustin

Directed By: Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido

‘Saving Sally’

(Ayala Malls Legazpi)

Starring: Rhian Ramos, Enzo Marcos

Directed by: Avid Liongoren

‘Seklusyon’

(A. Bichara Silverscreens)

Starring: Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman, JR Versales

Directed by: Erik Matti

‘Vince & Kath & James’

(A. Bichara Silverscreens, Ayala Malls Legazpi, Pacific Mall Legazpi)

Starring: Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Ronnie Alonte

Director: Ted Boborol

Now on its 42nd year, the festival’s revamp saw changes in its selection criteria, most notably, taking off the ‘50% commercial viability’ criterion. This resulted to films by box office stars Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto not making the cut and the independently-produced films dominating the full feature films category.

Support Philippine cinema and catch these films! ■ The Culture Review/AH