Ded na si Lolo unreels once more with a digitally remastered version that aims to uplift the spirits of Filipinos still reeling from the tragedy brought about by typhoons over the last two months.
Now known by its English title, Grandpa is Dead the film will be screened in select cinemas starting December 2 with improved quality in sound and picture. "Comedy ito pero may iyakan din," said director Soxie Topacio about his film, which was included in the Sine Direk Series organized by the Director Guild of the Philippines and APT Entertainment.
Mirroring Philippine society, the film has the catchphrase, "Bayan ni Lolo, Bayan ng Pilipino." It aims to depict Pinoy values and the bayanihan spirit in the time of grief and death through the different scenarios that a Filipino family had to endure during the six-day wake and burial of their patriarch.
A film that achieved commercial success in the country, Grandpa is Dead, also received a grade of "A" from the Cinema Evaluation Board. It has the distinction of being the Philippines' official entry to the 82nd Oscar Awards, competing under the Best Foreign Language film category and an official selection of the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival, two internationally-recognized film festivals.
As its way of giving back to the community, the producer, APT Entertainment, in cooperation with the Directors Guild of the Philippines, opted to donate half of its proceeds to typhoon victims even though it needs the funds for its journey to the Oscars.
This dramedy is based on Direk Soxie's early experiences with death as he observed the burial of his aunt, which became complicated because of several superstitions they had to follow.
In Grandpa is Dead, he is represented by the character of child actor BJ Forbes, who plays Bobet, the grandson of the deceased. Through this film, viewers learn the complexity of burying the beloved dead as Filipino superstitions get in the way of their mourning.
SYNOPSIS. The story begins with the death of Juanito Hernandez. His children are all vendors in a market in Tondo, Manila: Dolores (Gina Alajar) is a fruit vendor; Mameng (Elizabeth Oropesa) sells home-cooked dishes; Charing (Manilyn Reynes) is a vegetable vendor; Joonee (Roderick Paulate) sells "happiness" as a female impersonator; and the eldest of the brood, Isidro (Dick Israel) is a meat vendor.
Bobet (BJ Forbes), a grandson of the deceased, is exposed to various Filipino practices during funerals. No one is allowed to sweep and clean the premises of the wake. Members of the immediate family are not to accompany anyone to the door or gate when they are leaving. Red is not the appropriate color to wear in attending a wake and many more.
During the wake, a mysterious woman arrives at the wake. Isidro introduces her as the first wife of their father. How will the other family members accept this long-kept secret and appease the spirit of the dead?
Find out when the film's digitally remastered version is screened starting December 2, 2009.