Production has started in the Philippines on Filipino-Australian artist James J. Robinson’s debut feature, First Light, starring Ruby Ruiz.
The UK’s Independent Entertainment is representing global sales, excluding Australia and New Zealand. Bonsai Films will distribute the film theatrically in Australia and New Zealand.
Ruiz, known for Lulu Wang’s Expats, stars alongside veteran Filipino star Maricel Soriano, whose credits include Mother Nanny. Rounding out the cast is Rez Cortez, Soliman Cruz and Kidlat Tahimik.
It is set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, where the death of a young construction worker forces an elderly nun to...
The UK’s Independent Entertainment is representing global sales, excluding Australia and New Zealand. Bonsai Films will distribute the film theatrically in Australia and New Zealand.
Ruiz, known for Lulu Wang’s Expats, stars alongside veteran Filipino star Maricel Soriano, whose credits include Mother Nanny. Rounding out the cast is Rez Cortez, Soliman Cruz and Kidlat Tahimik.
It is set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, where the death of a young construction worker forces an elderly nun to...
- 4/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
Multi award-winning Filipina actress Ruby Ruiz has landed her first major screen role following her appearance in Amazon’s “Expats.” She will lead “First Light,” the feature directorial debut of James. J. Robinson.
Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.
Set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, “First Light” sees the death of a young construction worker force an elderly nun to confront the muddied ethics of an institution she has dedicated her life to. The script, also by Robinson, is a deeply personal story exploring the intersection of duty, faith and institutional power.
“Developing ‘First Light’ over the past two years has been an incredibly profound journey into the heart of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson said. “To be able...
Principal photography is now underway on the Australian-Filipino co-production, which comes with funding from Screen Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mother Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik round out the cast.
Set in the remote mountains of the Philippines, “First Light” sees the death of a young construction worker force an elderly nun to confront the muddied ethics of an institution she has dedicated her life to. The script, also by Robinson, is a deeply personal story exploring the intersection of duty, faith and institutional power.
“Developing ‘First Light’ over the past two years has been an incredibly profound journey into the heart of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson said. “To be able...
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Boso Dos Trailer — Jon Red‘s Boso Dos (2023) movie trailer has been released by Vivamax. The Boso Dos trailer stars Gold Aceron, Micaella Raz, Vince Rillon, Alvaro Oteyza, Amor Lapuz, Stephanie Raz, Chloe Jenna, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz, and Katya Santos. Crew “Cinematography by Raymond Red. Production Design by Danny Red.” Plot Synopsis Boso Dos‘s plot [...]
Continue reading: Boso Dos (2023) Movie Trailer: A Gang Leader Falls in Love with an Undercover Agent in Jon Red’s Film...
Continue reading: Boso Dos (2023) Movie Trailer: A Gang Leader Falls in Love with an Undercover Agent in Jon Red’s Film...
- 2/2/2023
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
In writing the harrowing story of a Romanian stowaway trying to reach America aboard a cargo ship while hiding from merciless Taiwanese officers, Mihai Mincan found inspiration in the overwhelming fear that he once felt in his own dire predicament.
“To the North,” which screens in competition at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, is loosely based on the 1996 Maersk Dubai incident, in which the captain and officers of a Taiwanese container ship murdered three stowaways on two consecutive voyages by throwing them overboard. Crew members saved a fourth stowaway, keeping him hidden until they reached their destination.
It was cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”) who first told Mincan about the incident.
“At first I didn’t know what to do with the story,” the writer-director recalls. “But a few years later it just clicked. I said, okay, I can make this film about what I feel; this is a film about fear:...
“To the North,” which screens in competition at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, is loosely based on the 1996 Maersk Dubai incident, in which the captain and officers of a Taiwanese container ship murdered three stowaways on two consecutive voyages by throwing them overboard. Crew members saved a fourth stowaway, keeping him hidden until they reached their destination.
It was cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”) who first told Mincan about the incident.
“At first I didn’t know what to do with the story,” the writer-director recalls. “But a few years later it just clicked. I said, okay, I can make this film about what I feel; this is a film about fear:...
- 11/14/2022
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Joel (Soliman Cruz) and Dumitri (Niko Beker) in To The North. Mihai Mincan: 'I think the space played a huge role, because it was so claustrophobic and I wanted to convey that feeling' To The North, which screens at Thessaloniki Film Festival this week, sees a Romanian ship stowaway (Niko Beker) become dependent on a Filipino Bosun for his survival (Soliman Cruz) aboard a ship where the Taiwanese captain shows a zero-tolerance approach. Romanian director Mihai Mincan explores the ways that it is not prejudice but fear that increasingly drives the tensions between the two men as tensions mount on the high seas. In the second part of our interview with Mincan, he told us about moving from documentary into fiction, his movie influences and how his own personal history feeds into the theme of fear that drives To The North.
Amber Wilkinson: Your CV is dominated by...
Amber Wilkinson: Your CV is dominated by...
- 11/5/2022
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
To The North director Mihai Mincan on the noise of the ship: 'It felt melodic, it felt really industrial, it felt threatening' Most of the action in To The North takes place on a ship outside of regular jurisdictions and Romanian director Mihai Mincan also sets sail into grey areas of morality in his tale of a stowaway who becomes dependent on a Filipino crewman for safe crossing. Romanian Dumitri (Niko Beker) sneaks aboard the ship bound for America with his friend (Dimitar Vasilev) but it soon becomes clear that the Taiwanese captain takes a brutal approach to stowaways. When Dumitri crosses the path of bosun Joel (Soliman Cruz), the older man offers to help him but tension mounts as the fears of both men begin to rise. The film premiered in the Orizzonti competition in Venice and we caught up with Mincan ahead of its screenings at Thessaloniki Film Festival.
- 10/29/2022
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Tension throbs like a ship's engine beneath Mihai Mincan's fiction feature debut. Moral values are also all at sea in his tale of a stowaway aboard a container ship heading from Spain to Canada. The mood is more of that of a western than a chamber piece, after Romanian Dumitri (Niko Beker) and his Bulgarian friend Georgi (Dimitar Vasilev) sneak aboard the vessel, which they believe is bound for America, their hope of a new life almost heartbreakingly simple.
Georgi, whose American Dream is to become a cowboy, is first to break cover, approaching one of the Filipino crew with a sweet smile and the word "amigo". The troubled look he receives from bosun Joel (Soliman Cruz) immediately creates tension and, though he is initially given food and water, the hierarchy on the ship soon becomes apparent, with a Taiwanese captain and his officer crew much less welcoming to their unexpected guest.
Georgi, whose American Dream is to become a cowboy, is first to break cover, approaching one of the Filipino crew with a sweet smile and the word "amigo". The troubled look he receives from bosun Joel (Soliman Cruz) immediately creates tension and, though he is initially given food and water, the hierarchy on the ship soon becomes apparent, with a Taiwanese captain and his officer crew much less welcoming to their unexpected guest.
- 9/8/2022
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Best Friend Forever has unveiled the trailer for “To The North,” Romanian Mihai Mincan’s feature debut which is world premiering in the Horizons section at Venice.
Inspired by true events, the edgy thriller follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.
“To The North” stars Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart Guingona and Olivier Ho Hio Hen (“Stillwater”). The topnotch crew includes cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”), sound designer Nicolas Becker (“Sound Of Metal”) and sound mixer Cyril Holtz (“The Sister Brothers”).
“To The North” is produced by Radu Stancu at De Film Production, and co-produced by Remora Films, Studio Bauhaus, Screening Emotions and Background Films.
Best Friend Forever 2022 line-up also includes Oscar-nominated director Alê Abreu’s a”Perlimps...
Inspired by true events, the edgy thriller follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.
“To The North” stars Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart Guingona and Olivier Ho Hio Hen (“Stillwater”). The topnotch crew includes cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”), sound designer Nicolas Becker (“Sound Of Metal”) and sound mixer Cyril Holtz (“The Sister Brothers”).
“To The North” is produced by Radu Stancu at De Film Production, and co-produced by Remora Films, Studio Bauhaus, Screening Emotions and Background Films.
Best Friend Forever 2022 line-up also includes Oscar-nominated director Alê Abreu’s a”Perlimps...
- 9/4/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired international sales rights to Mihai Mincan’s drama thriller “To The North” which will world premiere at Venice in the Horizons section.
Inspired by true events, the film follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.
“To The North” stars Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart Guingona and Olivier Ho Hio Hen (“Stillwater”). The topnotch crew includes cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”), sound designer Nicolas Becker (“Sound Of Metal”) and sound mixer Cyril Holtz (“The Sister Brothers”).
“To The North” is produced by De Film Production (“Alis”), Remora Films, Studio Bauhaus, Screening Emotions and Background Films.
“We can’t be prouder to represent the film. It is surprisingly masterful for a debut, an immersive cinematographic experience,...
Inspired by true events, the film follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.
“To The North” stars Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart Guingona and Olivier Ho Hio Hen (“Stillwater”). The topnotch crew includes cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”), sound designer Nicolas Becker (“Sound Of Metal”) and sound mixer Cyril Holtz (“The Sister Brothers”).
“To The North” is produced by De Film Production (“Alis”), Remora Films, Studio Bauhaus, Screening Emotions and Background Films.
“We can’t be prouder to represent the film. It is surprisingly masterful for a debut, an immersive cinematographic experience,...
- 7/26/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The drama usually associated with life in the slums of the Philippines has been repeatedly portrayed on cinema, with directors like Brillante Mendoza, Khavn, Adolfo Alix Jr and many others presenting their version, in various cinematic styles. Arvin Alindogan Belarmino presents his own view of this life, through a rather harsh but also quite realistic approach that frequently borders on the documentary.
“Life’s Pedal” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Rodel is a pedicab driver who tries to make ends meet by working alongside his wife, Aya, who is a prostitute. She and a number of other “girls” hang out in the same place, where the boss seems to be Amir, whose wife is in prison for stealing. The women there take turns taking care of each other’s children as they go with customers, in a rather extreme commune-style setting. Amir has an underage daughter...
“Life’s Pedal” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Rodel is a pedicab driver who tries to make ends meet by working alongside his wife, Aya, who is a prostitute. She and a number of other “girls” hang out in the same place, where the boss seems to be Amir, whose wife is in prison for stealing. The women there take turns taking care of each other’s children as they go with customers, in a rather extreme commune-style setting. Amir has an underage daughter...
- 12/13/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Watch out for forests in the Philippines, for they hide a creature or two you wouldn’t want to meet. Based on the Tambal folklore, “Belief is the Light in Darkness” tells the story of one of the most feared local mythical creatures – a shapeshifting evil being that lures its victims deep into the woods for the purpose of possessing their bodies and melting into their hosts’ families.
“Belief is the Light in Darkness” is screening at Across Asia Film Festival
On his way back home through the forest, a teenager (Dylan Ray Talon) meets a group of ghosts of disappeared villagers. Although they don’t speak, it seems like they want to deliver a message to the boy. When he informs his father (Soliman Cruz) about the strange encounter in the woods, the man is quick on his feet to go and check whether the story is true or not.
“Belief is the Light in Darkness” is screening at Across Asia Film Festival
On his way back home through the forest, a teenager (Dylan Ray Talon) meets a group of ghosts of disappeared villagers. Although they don’t speak, it seems like they want to deliver a message to the boy. When he informs his father (Soliman Cruz) about the strange encounter in the woods, the man is quick on his feet to go and check whether the story is true or not.
- 12/19/2019
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
If you’re in New York or Los Angeles this weekend, run don’t walk to James Ward Byrkit’s dizzying metaphysical horror film “Coherence,” or Roman Polanski’s elegant pas-de-deux “Venus in Fur.” But think twice before heading to Clint Eastwood’s 1960s musical biopic “Jersey Boys,” meeting a mixed critical response, or Paul Haggis’ awful collage of interlocking soap operas “Third Person,” currently crashing with reviewers.
On the indie side of the spectrum, you can catch Brit Joanna Hogg’s “Exhibition,” starring Tom Hiddleston, which Indiewire says has shades of Michael Haneke by way of Miranda July; Filipino helmer Lav Diaz’s latest multi-hour epic, “Norte, The End of History,” will hold court at NY’s Lincoln Center after a long festival tour dating back to Cannes 2013, where “Venus in Fur” also bowed; and Jan Troell’s austere WWII-era psychodrama “The Last Sentence” hits select markets too.
The...
On the indie side of the spectrum, you can catch Brit Joanna Hogg’s “Exhibition,” starring Tom Hiddleston, which Indiewire says has shades of Michael Haneke by way of Miranda July; Filipino helmer Lav Diaz’s latest multi-hour epic, “Norte, The End of History,” will hold court at NY’s Lincoln Center after a long festival tour dating back to Cannes 2013, where “Venus in Fur” also bowed; and Jan Troell’s austere WWII-era psychodrama “The Last Sentence” hits select markets too.
The...
- 6/19/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: UK distributor acquires rights to Lav Diaz’s Un Certain Regard entry.
UK distributor New Wave Films has acquired Lav Diaz’s epic drama Norte, the End of History.
The festival favourite, which debuted in Un Certain Regard at Cannes and has also played at Karlovy Vary, Locarno and Toronto among other festivals, begins as a riff on Dostoyevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment but also alludes to Philippino class and politics, the country’s intelligentsia and its foreign-worker phenomenon.
New Wave, which acquired the film from producer is Raymond Lee after its screening at the London Film Festival, plans a spring 2014 release.
Cinema Guild had already acquired Us rights.
Screenplay is from Lav Diaz and Rody Vera. Cast includes Sid Lucero, Angeli Bayani, Archie Alemania, Angelina Kanapi and Soliman Cruz.
Philippine New Wave director Diaz won Venice’s Orrizonti Award in 2008 for drama Melancholia.
UK distributor New Wave Films has acquired Lav Diaz’s epic drama Norte, the End of History.
The festival favourite, which debuted in Un Certain Regard at Cannes and has also played at Karlovy Vary, Locarno and Toronto among other festivals, begins as a riff on Dostoyevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment but also alludes to Philippino class and politics, the country’s intelligentsia and its foreign-worker phenomenon.
New Wave, which acquired the film from producer is Raymond Lee after its screening at the London Film Festival, plans a spring 2014 release.
Cinema Guild had already acquired Us rights.
Screenplay is from Lav Diaz and Rody Vera. Cast includes Sid Lucero, Angeli Bayani, Archie Alemania, Angelina Kanapi and Soliman Cruz.
Philippine New Wave director Diaz won Venice’s Orrizonti Award in 2008 for drama Melancholia.
- 11/28/2013
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Kim Homer Garcia's Magkakapatid (Blood Ties) opens in a shack, disheveled and ominously in disarray from a previous bloody incident. Clues and remnants of what happened are littered everywhere. A bowl of dinuguan, a stew made of pig's blood, meat and innards, is being feasted on by flies whose distinct buzzing complements the hurried reporting from the disembodied voice coming from the transistor radio. Human blood decorates the lowly walls and other furnishings in the house. A bloodied blade, presumably the weapon used in the hinted violence, menacingly rests on a tree stump.
Garcia, in the tightly conceived opening sequence previews the near-comical grandiosity of his film's central encounter with the most of absurd of the realities persisting in the Philippines. The previewed violence, a murder of Cane and Abel proportions that sadly does not have the biblical story's deeply rooted hate since the film's murder stems from the...
Garcia, in the tightly conceived opening sequence previews the near-comical grandiosity of his film's central encounter with the most of absurd of the realities persisting in the Philippines. The previewed violence, a murder of Cane and Abel proportions that sadly does not have the biblical story's deeply rooted hate since the film's murder stems from the...
- 8/31/2010
- Screen Anarchy
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