The John Lloyd Cruz-starrer, Honor Thy Father, is now officially part of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival.
This crime drama replaced Hermano Puli, which was pulled out due to financial problems.
Gil Portes was supposed to direct the movie about the religious leader (to be played by Aljur Abrenica) but investors did not push through with the project.
This development was revealed by Metro Manila Film Festival executive committee member Dominic Du.
Honor Thy Father will also serve as the opening film of the 11th edition of Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
This was announced last week during the press conference of the film fest that will run from November 9-17 at Trinoma, Glorietta, SM Megamall, and Resorts World Manila.
Cinema One Originals head Ronald Arguelles told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that the international version of Honor Thy Father will be screened during the opening night of Cinema One to be held on November 8.
He also disclosed that director Erik Matti already promised to show his film long before Hermano Puli backed out from the MMFF.
In a phone interview with MMFF Execom member Dominic Du, he said, "Ang nasa rules kasi ng MMFF, the entry should not have a commercial screening. Ang sinasabi naman nila, one-time screening yung Cinema One."
Du also revealed that the producers are thinking about using the title Conman when the film opens on December 25.
In Honor thy Father, John Lloyd Cruz and Meryll Soriano play a couple whose lives are threatened because of their involvement in a get-rich-quick scheme.
It had its world premiere at the 40th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival last September.
The crime drama received positive feedback from TIFF and The Hollywood Reporter.
(Read: John Lloyd Cruz-starrer, Honor Thy Father, earns good reviews from Toronto International Film Festival)
The 8 official entries for the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival are as follows:
1. Honor Thy Father (also known as Conman) directed by Erik Matti
Starring: John Lloyd Cruz, Meryll Soriano, Tirso Cruz III
2. My Bebe Love #KiligPaMore directed by Jose Javier Reyes
Starring: Vic Sotto, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza
3. Beauty and the Bestie directed by Wenn Deramas
Starring: Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, James Reid, Nadine Lustre
4. All You Need is Pag-Ibig directed by Antoinette Jadaone
Starring: Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim
5. Walang Forever directed by Dan Villegas
Starring: Jennylyn Mercado, Jericho Rosales
6. Haunted Mansion directed by Jun Lana
Starring: Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce
7. Buy Now, Die Later (formerly Death and Senses) directed by Randolph Longjas
Starring: Vhong Navarro, Alex Gonzaga, Lotlot de Leon, Janine Gutierrez, Rayver Cruz, TJ Trinidad
8. Nilalang directed by Pedring Lopez
Starring: Maria Ozawa, Cesar Montano