Mga Anino ng Kahapon (Shadows of the Past) Premiere Night + Review

It has been a while since I watched an indie film with a critical eye on the story line.
Mga Anino ng Kahapon (Shadows of the Past) is a story of a schizophrenia patient, Irene (Agot Isidro), as she and her family undertake the situation and the treatment of her illness.





I never doubted Ms. Agot Isidro's acting skills. She's ageless and very versatile and especially in this role where she needs to represent a simple, caring mother and wife to her family-turned paranoid, schizophrenia patient. Both she and her husband, Ed (TJ Trinidad) are nurses and when Ed went to Dubai to work overseas, she was left with their son, her mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Due to frightening events that happen around their area and traumatic experiences of Irene in the past, lead her to be protective of her family and all of a sudden, develop symptoms of schizophrenia. She sees and hears voices and "house guests" and recalls the moments during Martial Law.

TJ Trinidad (Ed) and Agot Isidro (Irene)

The story revolves around the development of the illness, and how the family adjust and help with her treatment. The movie shows how the patient could develop such illness how it could affect the relationships within the family.

I liked the flow of the story where it develops efficiently with the characters. Change where the change is needed. Plus the hindered disclosures breaks the monotony of the story line. Also the cinematography is good, they used the continuous shooting technique and close-up shooting to make the audience feel like they are with them and see the emotions deeply.

It's not a glamorous film. Low-key, might be. But the "feels" and emotions are heart-felt.
The movie has a message not only about schizophrenia, which is indeed the core, but most of all about the role of the family in this kind of situation.

TJ Trinidad is fitting for Ed's role since the character needs a strong and faithful personality. I personally think he is too handsome for the role! Haha! Anyway, he did really good and I can't help thinking, when we were inside the cinema, of his reaction watching himself in this kind of film?
It's my first time to watch a movie with the actor/actress watching with us and it really feels strange.

Cast and crew.

All in all, Mga Anino ng Kahapon is a very good, inspiring and heart-felt movie. It may not bring you to tears instantly but I assure to you that the ending will put you in the verge of crying, at least. Well, you'll never know when. :)
And that is an applause to the Director and Writer, Alvin Yapan and all of the cast for a memorable film. Yes, it left an impression. A very good impression, indeed.

After the movie we had photos!! Yay!

Watch Mga Anino ng Kahapon at these following cinemas and schedules.




Mga Anino ng Kahapon (Shadows of the Past) is under MMFF New Wave Category.
Let us support Filipino films!

Love,
Momo :)



P.S. Thanks (again) Ate Melai for the invite! :)

My Little Bossings Blogger's Night

Two of the most popular kids in showbiz right now, each with distinct personalities teamed up in a family movie with the Box-office King and Queen of MMFF! The street smart Ryzza Mae Dizon and the "socially elite" James "Bimby" Aquino Yap with "Bossing" Vic Sotto and Kris Aquino in My Little Bossings, an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival this 2013!

We had a chance to chat with the lead actor himself, "Bossing" Vic, the energetic kid Ryzza Mae  and head writer Ms. Bibeth Orteza last Friday at Annabel's about their latest movie.

And tell you, the Blogger's Night was filled with witty exchanges between these people!

For a long time she's been working with Vic (ever since Iskul Bukol), Ms. Bibeth admits she still has a lot of ideas for Vic. " [I] barely scratched the surface". I also liked when she said that only few people would invite the writer during press conferences/ blogger's night like this one, like Vic Sotto. 

 Being the writer of the story she said that My Little Bossings was tailor made for Ryzza and Bimby and she can't think of other people playing the parts. It wasn't that hard to make the script for them as long as you know the skills of the actors and actresses. 

Vic plays the role Torky Villanueva who works as a bookeeper for the millionaire cash management specialist Baba Atienza (Kris). Because of some conflict in her business, Baba entrusts her son Justin (Bimby) to Torky’s care for fear of her life. In the meantime, Torky’s niece Ice (Aiza) who lives in the same house with him, is involved in an advocacy for street children where street kid Ching (Ryzza ) becomes her special ward. Ice brings Ching home when the orphanage closed down. The fun begins when all these people start living in one roof while they each tackle his respective personal dilemma.

At first, they're convincing Kris to let Bimby into the movie and she would just agree if they will give Bimby a full length movie and she wanted her son's first experience in making movies to be with someone of Vic’s stature and humility.    

Which is a good choice since Vic is known for taking care of child stars. But Vic admits that "I don't see my self as a star -builder. I see myself as a supporter and believer of raw talents." Ms. Bibeth also agrees by saying "Full support si Vic sa mga child stars niya." Even during shootings of "Vampire ang Daddy ko", after Ms. Bibeth gives intructions [to Ryzza] and goes inside the OB van, Vic also gives advice on acting execution.

Vic also shares his experience working with the two kids. He says that Ryzza is really makulit and very conservative. "Working with a child is just a wonderful experience and I always see to it na 'yung trabaho namin may kasamang laro. It's work and play at the same time. In this movie dalawa 'yung kalaro ko. Isang madaldal, isang rough."  As we could always see on the TV, the joke exchanges between Bossing and Ryzza in Eat Bulaga makes up our lunch time.

But what about Bimby?
"Hindi ko masyadong pinagkakausap kasi 'yung role namin it starts na talagang aloof kami, hindi mutual ang feelings namin sa isa't isa. Hinayaan kong hindi kami nag-uusap. Pero halfway through the production, eh naging close na rin kami."  Bimby was shy at first too but after few weeks of shooting he's already hitting the marks! There's rough play, wrestling, etc. even with or without takes, and it was really cool feeling.

Well Bossing and Ryzza even played Bato- bato pick that night! Haha! Who do you think won? :D

Bossing and Ryzza playing Bato-bato pick! Who do you think won?

Ryzza won! Haha!

But the big question is how did Ryzza and Bimby worked out? "Madali naman kausap 'tong si Ryzza eh, naregaluhan lang ni Bimby ng chocolates okay na." Bossing confessed. Ryzza also tells that she's now close with Bimby too! 

Vic, Ryzza and Ms. Bibeth Orteza watching the trailer of My Little Bossings with the bloggers

Bossing Vic expressed his excitement in this movie. Unlike his previous movies, no fantasy, special effects-- simple, family movie. "It's funny. It's very entertaining. It will cater to all ages. I'm sure they will have a good time this coming Christmas 'pag pinanood nila ang My Little Bossings."

Bossing Vic Sotto poses for the bloggers

Vic Sotto and Me! :D

I think the movie "My Little Bossings" is more than just a family comedy movie as it tackles some issues of the society also. If you want to spend your holidays with a light and funny Filipino movie, I can say that you would really enjoy this movie. :) 

P.S. Thanks Ate Melai Entuna for inviting me! :D

“My Little Bossings” is produced by OctoArts Films, M-Zet Films, APT Entertainment and Kris Aquino Productions all of which have brought out their guns to ensure that it is a heartwarming, quality movie through and through. More than the big names attached to the film, “My Little Bossings” is a family film packed with lessons wrapped in humor, wit and laughter---exactly what we need in times like these.

“My Little Bossings” also stars Aiza Seguerra, Jaclyn Jose, Jose Manalo, Paolo Ballesteros, Barbie Forteza, Neil Coleta, and Neil Sese from the direction of Marlon Rivera. Story and screenplay by Bibeth Orteza.

“My Little Bossings” starts showing on Christmas Day as an entry to the 2013 MMFF.

Love,
Momo