Cinemalaya 2013 Director's Showcase Official Entries

Synopsis of  the Film

A love story about a woman whose wedding is thrown into disarray when a mysterious person arrives and reminds her of the man she really loves. It is the third part of Tarog’s Camera Trilogy after “Confessional” (Cinema One Originals 2007) and “Mangatyanan” (Cinemalaya 2009).

Sana Dati is a love story about bittersweet compromises and real- life decisions.

Andrea Gonzaga (Lovi Poe) a woman who has accepted her fate by agreeing to marry a man whom she does not love. But a few hours before her wedding to TJ Trinidad’s character, someone arrives to remind her of the true love she once had and lost.

Andrea is interviewed by a videographer named Dennis (Paulo Avelino) for their wedding videos. As they spend time together, Andrea is strangely reminded of the one person she truly loved but nobody in her family knows about: a man named Andrew Cesario (Benjamin Alves).


Starring: Paulo Avelino and Lovi Poe

Also Starring: Benjamin Alves, TJ Trinidad, Ria Garcia, Nico Antonio, Carla Martines, Liesl Natucan, Chinggoy Alonso,Nonie Buencamino, Cai Cortez, Bong Cabrera and Gee Canlas

Directed By: Jerrold Tarog

Synopsis of the Film

Set in the 16th century, “Amor Y Muerte” (which means “love and death”) is an examination of the initial encounter between the Indios (natives) and their colonizers (Spaniards) and their conflicting views on love, passion, religion, and sexuality. 

When Amor and Diego have sex, she makes loud noises that are heard all over their poblacion. The town friar, Fray Santiago (played by Kuya Manzano), is so scandalized that he tells Diego to silence his wife. As a result, Diego forbids Amor from moaning and even slaps her to keep her quiet. He covers Amor’s mouth with a pillow during intercourse, to prevent her from making noises, which almost chokes the woman to death.

In time, Amor becomes indifferent to sex until her passion is reignited when she engages in an extramarital affair with Apitong

Starring:  Althea Vega, Markki Stroem, Adrian Sebastian, and Ms. Ama Quiambao.
Also starring: Mico Palanca, Kuya Manzano, Amante Pulido.

Written by: Jerry Gracio
Directed by: Cesar Evangelista

 

Synopsis of the Film

The Liars is the story of a journalist (played by Alessandra de Rossi) whose expose of the truth results in life-changing consequences to a baseball team of poor boys from Smokey Mountain.

It is told from the point of view of Dante (played by John Michael), whose family and identity were taken away from him in the town’s quest for the Little League World Series title. On the other hand, journalist Eloisa Avelino (Alessandra) is torn between exposing the truth and covering up to protect the country’s honor.

When Eloisa publishes her investigation about the over-aged and non-resident players, the team is immediately stripped of their championship title. Their instant fame and promising future vanishes, leaving a team of innocent boys to suffer the consequences of personal shame and national disgrace that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

The Liars is inspired by a real-life sports scandal that took place in 1992. A baseball team from Zamboanga was crowned the champion of the 46th Little League World Series. However, Filipino journalists revealed the team had used ineligible players who did not meet either age or residency requirements. As a result, the team was stripped of its title.

Starring: Alessandra De Rossi, Arnold Reyes, Chris Villanueva, Sue Prado, Nanding Josef, Ping Medina, Dax Alejandro, Benjie Felipe, Tony Marino, Jess Evardome, Princess Manzon, CJ Mangahis

Screenplay By: Senedy Que 

Directed By: Gil Portes

Synopsis of the Film

“Porno” is a powerful story about individuals linked by pornography. Three souls, one explicit illusion. To find the ultimate joy in their empty lives. A safe haven, where passion and love mean humanity, ecstasy means enlightenment; and the soul is the ultimate arbiter of the truth.

The film shows the inter-connected lives of three people who are trying to find “the ultimate joy in their empty lives.” It has three segments featuring three persons who are all addicted to pornography.

Alessandra (Angel Aquino) underwent a sex operation in the past. Even though she gained a new body, she can still feel the stigma of her past identity. Alecks (Carlo Aquino), a teenager who works in the porn industry. Meanwhile, Xander (Yul Servo), an assassin who loves watching porn.

Starring: Angel Aquino, Carlo Aquino, Rosanna Roces and Yul Servo

Written By: Ralston Jover
Directed By:  Adolfo Alix Jr.

Synopsis of the Film

Ekstra (The Bit Player) is a socio-realist drama-comedy film, which follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos-Recto) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation on the marginalized laborers like her.

Starring: Vilma Santos

Also Starring: Marlon Rivera and Vincent de Jesus

Special Guests: Piolo Pascual, Marian Rivera, Cherie Gil, Pilar Pilapil, Richard Yap,Eula Valdes

Written by: Jeffrey Jeturian, Antoinette Jadaone, and Zig Dulay
Directed by: Jeffrey Jeturian

 

Cinemalaya 2013 will be held on July 26 - August 4 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ayala Cinemas: Trinoma, Greenbelt 3, and Alabang Town Center.