7th Cinemalaya Film Festival: 9 Full-length Films (New Breed category)

On its 7th year, Cinemalaya Film Festival will be held in 2 venues: Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila & Greenbelt 3 in Makati City on July 15-24, 2011. Below are the 9 full-length films featured under the New Breed category, with their corresponding movie poster, synopsis, schedules & film trailers.

You can also check:

(1) Cinemalaya 2011 in CCP & Greenbelt 3

(2) 7th Cinemalaya Film Festival: 10 Short Films - with posters, synopses, schedules & film trailers
(3) 7th Cinemalaya Film Festival: 4 Full-length Films (Directors Showcase category) - with posters, synopses, schedules & film trailers
(4) 7th Cinemalaya Film Festival: NETPAC Premieres, Focus Asia, Closing Films & Midnite Specials

1.

 AMOK 

by Lawrence Fajardo

SYNOPSIS:   

The bustling and sweltering rugged intersection of Pasay Rotonda serves as the main setting for this story of interconnected fate and destiny.  As a raging man’s bullets strays into different directions, the fate of several different characters are sealed and determined.  As the temperature rises, the tension escalates and the story unravels with unforgiving immediacy and explodes in the end as each one struggles to survive and escape their inevitable end.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
18 July/Mon, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
19 July/Tue, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
20 July/Wed, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 6:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
23 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
24 July/Sun, 11:00AM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3

Amok Trailer

2.

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK
(THE WOMAN IN THE SEPTIC TANK)

by Marlon Rivera & Chris Martinez

SYNOPSIS:  

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank chronicles a day in the life of three ambitious, passionate but misguided filmmakers as they set out to do a quick pre-prod at Starbucks, a courtesy call to their lead actress, Eugene Domingo, and an ocular inspection of their film’s major location, the Payatas dumpsite.  Director Rainier, Producer Bingbong and Production Assistant Jocelyn are well-to-do, well-educated film school graduates who are dead set on making an Oscar worthy film.  They believe they have a winning script, the energy and the drive to make their dreams come true.  Like most filmmakers they know, they have devised a screenplay that will show the real essence of our culture: poverty.  In the course of one day, they brainstorm and exhaust all possible treatment of their project: the story of Mila (Eugene Domingo), a mother from the slums, who out of desperation to survive, has sold her child to a pedophile.  As they discuss the possible executions of the story, the movie-within-a-movie gets reborn in Jocelyn’s imagination several times.  As a gritty no frills neo-realist film, as a glossy musical, as an over-the-top melodrama and as a docu drama using non-actors. For their last task of the day, they visit the dumpsite for the first time.  As filmmakers gunning for authenticity, they get excited with the ”beauty” of the squalor around them.  Soon enough, they are faced with reality as they come face to face with the real effects of their chosen subject.  Babae sa Septic Tank is a comedy about misguided ambitions, the art of making art and the romanticization of poverty.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
17 July/Sun, 11:00AM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
17 July/Sun, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
18 July/Mon, 6:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
19 July/Tue, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
19 July/Tue, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
20 July/Wed, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Thu, 1:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
23 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

Ang Bababe sa Septic Tank Trailer

3.

ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA 

(THE  DANCE OF TWO LEFT FEET)

by Alvin Yapan & Alemberg Ang

SYNOPSIS:  

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa explores the intersection and divergence between feminist and gay concerns in the third world context, as it features the poetry of Merlinda Bobis, Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Joi Barrios, Rebecca Anonuevo, Benilda Santos and Ophelia Dimalanta.  When Marlon, a college student, stalks Karen, his literature professor, he finds out that she moonlights as a choreographer and dance teacher in a dance studio.  Frustrated over his performance in her literature class, he plans to impress her instead by learning to poeticize his body movements and enroll in her dance class.  He hires his classmate to teach him the basics of dancing.  As Dennis, his tutor, teaches him how his body should move, Marlon begins to understand the intersections between the art of poetry and dance.  This opens up his world to new insights about the life of Karen as s single woman who chose to live the life of an artist in a third world setting.  Marlon begins to understand how the poems being discussed by Karen in class are testaments to her choice to stand by her art.  Karen eventually finds out, through Dennis, that Marlon only enrolled in her class to be near her.  She confronts Marlon about this and wishes that his interest for dance would survive his infatuation for her.  Marlon feels betrayed over Dennis telling Karen.  But it is also this sense of betrayal that tells him that he has already become close to Dennis, whom he now considers a friend.  Up until then, Marlon and Dennis have become inseparable as they both tackled the complexities of poetry and dance.  Sensing the coldness between the two, Karen set them up to help her train a group of dancers for a cotillion dance.  Eventually, Karen trains both Marlon and Dennis to star in her dance adaptation of the epic Humadapnon, when she bags a grant.  Marlon will play the lead role of Humadapnon, who becomes trapped in a cave full of women.  Dennis’ character now has to rescue Marlon from the women, as he plays the role of Sunmasakay, the male incarnation of the goddess Nagmalitong Yawa.  On the eve of their performance, in a drunken conversation, Marlon confronts Karen how he could not understand her poetry.  Karen, in response, assures Marlon that he does understand her poetry.  His mind is just unwilling to, unlike his body which already understands.  Karen invites Marlon to dance with her, but in the middle of her dance, she passes him onto Dennis.  Their drunken dance culminates with Marlon and Dennis taking on the roles of Humadapnon and Sunmasakay on stage.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
17 July/Sun, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
18 July/Mon, 9:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
19 July/Tue, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
20 July/Wed, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Thu, 10:00AM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
22 July/Fri, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
23 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
24 July/Sun, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa Trailer

4.

BAHAY BATA 

(BABY FACTORY)
by Eduardo Roy Jr. & Jerome Zamora

SYNOPSIS:  

Sarah is a nurse at a Public Maternity Hospital. The hospital is abuzz with pregnant mothers of all shapes and sizes in different stages of labor. The hospital is short on staff on Christmas Day so Sarah is forced to put in a double shift.  Sarah observes the women coming and going in her ward, noting who is a first-timer and who is a veteran. Meanwhile, the wards are overcrowded : two women and their babies sharing single beds while those in labor are spilling unto the hallways. Sarah takes these all in stride, her heart and mind laboring over her own personal pains. 

Schedules:

16 July/Sat, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

17 July/Sun, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5

18 July/Mon, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

18 July/Mon, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute

19 July/Tue, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute

20 July/Wed, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

21 July/Thu, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

22 July/Fri, 9:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3

23 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

24 July/Sun, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5

Bahay Bata Trailer

5.

CUCHERA 

by Joseph Israel Laban

SYNOPSIS:  

Based on a true story, Cuchera is about Filipino drug mules, drug couriers and their recruiters. It follows the story of Isabel, a veteran drug mule, in her first attempt at running her own drug transshipment operation between Manila and China.  Isabel’s character is based on the story of an actual Filipina drug mule who was caught with eight capsules of heroin lodged in her sex organ, 48 in the rectum and 11 in her abdomen after an x-ray was conducted by Chinese authorities.  Cuchera presents an accurate depiction of how some Filipinos end up becoming entrenched in the world of illegal drugs.  Currently, the Philippines leads all Southeast Asian countries in the number of nationals arrested for drug smuggling charges in China. As of 2009, there are currently 95 Filipinos languishing in various jails in Chinese territories - four of whom are on death row.  Violators include minors who enter China with fake passports.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Tue, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
20 July/Wed, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
23 July/Sat, 11:00AM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
23 July/Sat, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5

Cuchera Trailer

6.

I-LIBINGS 

by Rommel Andreo Sales

SYNOPSIS:  

A coming of age story about Isabel’s lessons and realizations on life and death as a funeral videography intern.  Due to her family situation, Isabel is cynical and skeptical of everything that comes her way.  When she enters the I-libings for her required college internship, she sees it as the worst internship her college adviser could suggest to her.  Later as she accumulates her required hours, she realizes that the company is not just a place where videographers make money out of other people’s misfortunes but is a place where the dead and the grieving receive special attention.  It all comes full circle when Isabel is faced with an unusual family tragedy.  Isabel realizes that her internship might have been just 200 hours, but the lessons that the I-libings left her would last a lifetime.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
19 July/Tue, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
20 July/Wed, 9:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
21 July/Thu, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
21 July/Thu, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Sat, 1:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
23 July/Sat, 9:00PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

I-libings Trailer

7.

LIGO NA U, LAPIT NA ME 

(STAR-CROSSED LOVE)

by Erick Salud, Noel Ferrer & Jerry Gracio

SYNOPSIS:  

Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, aka Intoy, is secretly in love with his friend Jenny, the most beautiful girl in the campus.  Jenny is rich and quirky;  Intoy is street-smart and ordinary.  But this friendship is not simple, since Jenny has bestowed on Intoy some perks and privileges, including going to bed with her on the condition that they will not fall in love with each other.  Before graduation, Intoy feels that he has to shed his pretensions of being astig and finally profess his love for Jenny.   But he is devastated to learn that Jenny is pregnant.  Worse, Jenny tells him:  “Don’t worry, this is not yours.”  Based on the bestselling novel of Eros S. Atalia,  Ligo na U, Lapit na Me is an examination of postmodern love and relationship and the way this generation deals with their love and fear.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 1:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
17 July/Sun, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
17 July/Sun, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
18 July/Mon, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
19 July/Tue, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
20 July/Wed, 4:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
21 July/Thu, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
22 July/Fri, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Sat, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
24 July/Sun, 11:00AM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5

Ligo na U, Lapit na Me Trailer

 

8.

NIÑO
by Loy Arcenas

SYNOPSIS: 

The once illustrious Lopez-Aranda family has faded.  Celia, once the darling of Philippine opera, and Gaspar, a distinguished ex-congressman, lacked the shrewdness to maintain their once elegant status.  Saddled with a failed marriage, a vanishing career and mounting debt, Celia sold her share of their house to Gaspar, now bedridden.  She managed to stay for free in exchange for being Gaspar’s caregiver.  Gaspar loves listening to Celia’s arias.  This idyllic arrangement is shattered when he slips into a coma.  His daughter, Raquel, comes home from the US, determined to sell the house to salvage her own economic woes abroad.  This signals Celia’s impending homelessness.  With only a few heirlooms to sell, she is at her wits’ end.  A fervent believer of the Sto. Nino, she hopes for a miracle.  She dresses up her grandson, Antony, in Sto. Nino robes to prepare him for the coming fiesta.  She insists this will invoke a miracle that will awaken Gaspar and stop Raquel from selling the house.  Antony’s father, Mombic, while processing his travel papers to work in Dubai, tries to strike a deal with Raquel in selling the property without his mother Celia’s knowledge.  Merced, Mombic’s sister, reluctantly takes on the burden of taking care of Celia and a household sliding to ruin.  The family members clash in a confrontation that reveals their weaknesses and their hopeless ideals.  Mombic leaves his son to the care of his mother and sister, Merced, the only family member who quietly accepts her fate.  As a final ditch to awaken Gaspar, Celia holds a tertulia, inviting her aging opera singer friends.  They sing arias, oblivious to the ravages of time, crippled reminders of a glorious past.  In the middle of a chorus, Gaspar quietly dies, sealing the fate of his sister and the mansion that once was called Villa Los Reyes Magos.  Celia looks out into her once beautiful garden.  She sees Antony, still in his Sto. Nino robe, playing in the garden, offering a little illusion of hope to a past that can never be rekindled.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 11:00AM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
18 July/Mon, 1:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
19 July/Tue, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
20 July/Wed, 6:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
21 July/Thu, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Sat, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute

Niño Trailer

9.

TEORIYA 
(FATHER’S WAY)
by Alistair Christian "Zurich" Chan

SYNOPSIS:   

Teoriya is a story about loss that centers on the film’s main character, Jimmuel Apostol II.  After hearing the news that his father has passed away, Jim goes back home to Zamboanga City after leaving ten years ago in bad terms with his father.  He arrives in Zamboanga only to find that his father has already been buried and he doesn’t know where.  Jim takes a journey around the Zamboanga peninsula and ultimately into his own self, finding the missing piece of his life.

Schedules:
16 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
16 July/Sat, 9:00PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3
17 July/Sun, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
18 July/Mon, 10:00AM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)
19 July/Tue, 1:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 5
20 July/Wed, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
21 July/Thu, 9:00PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
24 July/Sun, 1:30PM at the Greenbelt 3 - Cinema 3

Teoriya Trailer