The ’Ber Months aren’t just a countdown to Christmas. For film buffs, it is the peak of the film fest season. After coming down from a Cinemalaya high, we’ll now be treated to Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP). From Sept. 13 to 19, catch 10 fresh narratives from old and new storytellers of Philippine cinema.
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But what are we looking forward to seeing this year? Within the range of coming-of-age stories, gritty suspense thrillers, and poignant dramas, here are some of the films we’re looking forward to seeing in this year’s edition of PPP.
LSS
Gabbi and Khalil’s first flick as a couple looks like another teen drama. Yet the trailer reveals LSS has a lot more to offer, or at least it might.
It’s a coming-of-age story between Sara, an aspiring musician getting by as a busker, and Zak, an avid gig-goer recovering from a broken heart. They meet at a Ben&Ben concert where their friendship blossomed, helping each other grow as people along the way.
Watch Me Kill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiFQfGjagG4
A female hitman story? Sign me the fuck up. In this psychological thriller, the iconic villain of Filipino teleseryes, Jean Garcia, takes the role of a contract-killer. But after an unusual assignment, she finds solace and purpose in her supposed victim—a mysterious young girl.
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Lola Igna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9beIG8CgE
Lola Igna is a slice-of-comedy on a foul-mouthed, cynical grandmother who wants to die. Too bad that she just received an award as “the oldest living grandmother in the world.” Although she sees this as a nuisance, her long lost great-great-grandson Tim sees this as an opportunity for his vlogging career to blossom.
Circa
For a once-celebrated film producer’s 100th birthday, her ultimate wish is to reunite with her former stars and crew members. She also wants to recover a lost film from one of her directors. It’s up to Michael, her grandson and an aspiring filmmaker, to make it a reality.
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Circa is a tribute to Filipino cinema’s rich history with a star-studded cast. It stars icons like Anita Linda and the late Eddie Garcia with Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Jaclyn Jose, Elizabeth Oropesa, Ricky Davao, and former SCOUT cover boy Enchong Dee. Through this drama, we witness an homage to the Golden Age of Filipino Cinema and the people who made it an iconic era.
Still from LSS