The annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has announced the 10 movies that are included in its 2020 lineup, and it includes a film about a high school student who takes her fangirling to the next level + a BL love story set at a school retreat!
Unlike previous years, the films will be available for streaming on a new Pinoy video-on-demand platform called Upstream from December 25, 2020, to January 8, 2021. Viewers will be able to buy tickets using Globe's platforms, GMovies and GCash.
Here's what you need to know about the entries to this year's competition:
Fan Girl
The plot: "An obsessed teenage fan finds herself inside a mansion with her celebrity idol (Paulo Avelino as himself) she thought she knew and learns exactly why they say never meet your heroes." The film, directed by Antoinette Jadaone, is very different from the rom-coms she's known for.
The Boy Foretold By The Stars
The plot: "A romantic comedy movie about two senior high school boys, who through the help of a fortune-teller, find each other at an optional school retreat called Journey With The Lord." The film is reportedly the first BL movie in the Philippines!
Magikland
The plot: According to producer Peque Gallaga, "Magikland is a place of fantasy existing in a video game for iPhone—the inspiration is from Pokémon the game. The attraction to the game is for the gamers to get the highest points in order to save Magikland from an evil dictator. When the four winners meet, they are transported to Magikland which is, indeed, in mortal danger."
Isa Pang Bahaghari
The plot: "A former seaman long presumed dead tries to reconcile with his embittered family with the help of his gay best friend."
The Missing
The plot: The main characters "work to restore an ancestral home in Karatsu, Japan, and they come across myths of the Japanese offering human sacrifices to lend stability to their structures. As they dive deeper into the project, the house slowly begins to reveal its story and secrets." CREEPY.
Tagpuan
The plot: Allan, Agnes, and Tanya are three people who are ~trying to find themselves~ and who are looking for second chances. The film's YouTube trailer tells us: "Ang Tagpuan ay kwento ng bawat taong nagnanais matagpuan ang kanilang mga puso. Kung hindi man sa kasalukuyang buhay, patuloy silang maghahanap hanggang sa susunod na habang buhay."
Suarez: The Healing Priest
The plot: It tells the life story of Catholic Priest Father Fernando Suarez, who was dubbed "The Healing Priest." ABS-CBN reports that he became popular in the Philippines and other countries for his healing Masses which were "attended by thousands who hope to be cured of their illnesses." During his ministry, Father Suarez was banned by several dioceses in the country and he also faced sexual abuse allegations.
The lineup also includes Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim (a sequel to the 2017 film Mang Kepweng Returns); a comedy movie that for some reason is called Pakboys: Takusa; and a family drama called Coming Home.
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