Missed the feeling of walking into darkness before sitting up comfortably in your desired seat watching your favorite film? Don’t worry because the new COVID guidelines have allowed cinemas to operate at a certain level. In short, the cinemas are back and operating. This might be the answer to get you out of your usual condo living routine and enjoy the things that we didn’t get to do in 2 years.
It has been a tradition of many families to celebrate Christmas and watch movies in the theater together. One of its traditions is looking forward to the Metro Manila Film Festival also known as the MMFF.
What is the Metro Manila Film Festival or MMFF?
The MMFF is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila. The festival usually runs from December 25 until the first weekend of January. It is considered a pride of the country because it only focuses on Filipino-produced films. Many of our Filipino directors, producers, writers, and actors take part in this annual festival to showcase their craft.
Before the pandemic started, one of its highlights was the float parade of celebrities. It centers around the actors that participated in the films of MMFF. The floats each represent the films they make. During the award ceremony, aside from the films and actors' recognition, the best float award will be given as well.
MMFF as part of the Pinoy’s Christmas Tradition
Every year, you would see people lining up every Christmas until the first week of January to watch a movie. This time of the year is the only season that gives a long holiday to Filipino families. Instead of spending a lot from travelling, watching a movie on a Christmas day is one of the solutions to treat every family who are on a tight budget. MMFF offers kid friendly films for every child to enjoy and a lot of comedy genres for senior citizens who just want a good laugh. This annual film festival brings a bond between families and friends on holidays or even just for someone who wants to enjoy Christmas.
We have been stuck in our house and condo living in the Philippines for a long time, but at this time, after years of watching movies in front of a laptop, a phone, or smart tv, we can finally experience the big screen again.
MMFF 2021
This 2021, a new set of Filipino films will star the season. There were 19 films submitted, but only a total of 8 will be screened at the festival. These films were approved by its jurors and film experts. The 8 films consist of genres including suspense, comedy, horror, romance, and drama. The number of applications for the Metro Manila Film Festival has dropped to eight in the 2021 edition. In the previous year, the 2020 edition was virtually done, so the number of entries temporarily increased to 10. The deadline for submission of entries was October 31, 2021. The final entries were announced on November 12, 2021
Here are the list of the following MMFF entries for 2021:
1. Kun Maupay Man It Panahon or Wether the Weather is Fine
- It had its world premiere at the 74th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on August 9, 2021. Starring Daniel Padilla, Lands Riforu, and Charo Santos Consio, the film is about a young man struggling to survive while desperately searching for a missing loved one. This is based on the film director’s own experience after typhoon Yolanda.
2. Love at First Stream
- This is a film directed by Cathy Garcia Molina. This movie is about a story of streamers, students, earners, and a heartthrob’s quests for love and friendship online to escape their reality offline. It will feature the rising stars of 2021, including Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbon, Daniela Stranger, and Anthony Jennings.
3. Huwag Kang Lalabas
- Huwag kang lalabas is a Philippine anthology horror series. It will include a total of three stories or narratives in 1 film. This film stars Beauty Gonzales, Aiko Melendez, and Kim Chiu, each has its own story. The stories will revolve around a convent, a house, and a hotel.
4. A Hard Day
- A film based on the 2014 Korean hit movie with the same name. The main stars of this film are Dingdong Dantes and the award-winning John Arcilla. The Korean film, it is about an investigator who accidentally killed a man in a car and tried to hide his body in his mother's casket on the day of the funeral. According to the director, they have to adjust some of the scenes as it doesn’t fit the Philippine setting.
5. Big Night!
- Big Night is a black comedy film directed by Jun Robles Lana. It will center around a character of Christian Bibles who plays a gay role and decided to clear his name after discovering that he was on the drug watch list.
6. Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw
- A romantic comedy film that stars actors, Rita Daniela and Ken Chan. It is about a seminarian who was given a day off to think about his decision of becoming a priest. One day, he met a girl and offered her money in exchange for going with him in Pagsanjan, Laguna to visit his parents. The film will be directed by Louie Ignacio.
7. Nelia
- A suspense thriller film starring Winwyn Marquez. Nelia is directed by Lester Dimaranan under Q and A entertainment. The story revolves around a nurse who tries to reveal information about some of the patients mysterious deaths in room 009 of the hospital. According to reports, a Los Angeles-based film company is interested in securing distribution rights for Nelia in the United States.
8. The Exorsis
- A horror comedy directed by Fifth Solomon by Viva Films Pro and TinCan productions. This movie will feature Toni Gonzaga and her sister, Alex Gonzaga. It follows the story of a stubborn family grocery store manager who is estranged from her eccentric younger sister. The older sister seeks a way to save the younger ones from the evil spirits who had entered her sister's body.
This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will start its run from December 25 to January 7, 2021.
