Five Filipino films will be present at the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival, which will take place from October 28th until November 5th in Tokyo, Japan.

The latest drama by Paul Soriano, “Mañanita” – starring Bela Padilla & Ronnie Lazaro – will compete at the Official Competition. On the other hand “Mindanao” by Brillante Ma Mendoza will be present at the World Focus section. Finally “The Halt” by Lav Diaz, “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay” by Antoinette Jadaone and “Untrue” by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo will be screened at the Crosscut Asia Section.

About the Films

Mañanita by Paul Soriano – Philippines | 2019 – 143 minutes
Cast: Bella Padilla. Ronnie Lazaro
Bearing a facial bruise, the heroine is a shooter who served in the military. But after losing her job, she spends her nights getting drunk in a bar – until a phone call changes everything. This superb film turns a series of unassuming shots into an emotional drama.

Mindanao by Brillante Ma Mendoza – Philippines | 019 – 123 minutes
Cast: Judy Ann Santos, Allen Dizon, Yuna Tangog
Saima’s story is merged with the epic tale of the warrior-brothers Raja Sulayman and Indarapatra battling against two fire-breathing sea serpents. The heroes’ conquests and tragedy mirror Saima’s harrowing reality.

The Halt by Lav Diaz – Philippines | 2019 – 283 minutes
Cast: Piolo Pascual, Joel Lamangan, Shaina Magdayao
Manilla, 2034. As a result of massive volcanic eruptions in the Celebes Sea in 2031, Southeast Asia is literally in the dark. Madmen control countries, communities, enclaves and new bubble cities.

Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay by Antoinette Jadaone – Philippines | 2011 – 100 minutes
Cast: Lilia Cuntapay, Joel Saracho, Geraldine Villamil
The story follows Lilia Cuntapay through the days leading up to a fictionalized awards night where she is nominated as a Best Supporting Actress for the very first time.

Untrue by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo – Philippines | 2019 – 105 minutes
Cast: Cristine Reyes, Xian Lim
Two lonely Filipinos living in the country of Georgia find solace and companionship in each other, until the strange apparition of a woman begins to haunt their relationship.

For more information about the programme you can visit the official website of the TIFF: TokyoIFF Website

About the festival:
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), the only Japanese film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). TIFF started in 1985 as Japan’s first major film festival. Since then, it has grown to become one of the biggest film festivals in Asia. TIFF seeks out excellent films from around the world and brings them to Tokyo, where filmmakers and film fans can enjoy them, meet emerging filmmakers, and be inspired.