First-time producer Piolo Pascual and his partners are inspired by two classic local movies.
A group of non-showbiz businessmen and Piolo are pooling their resources to produce a movie intended for showing this year. The movie's title is Manila and it's a twinbill of two different stories inspired by two classic movies directed by the late masters of Philippine cinema—Lino Brocka's Jaguar (1979) and Ishmael Bernal's City After Dark (1980). Si Piolo ang bida sa dalawang kuwento.
The first story is inspired by City After Dark (also known as Manila By Night), a Regal movie starring some of the best actors in the industry: Charito Solis, Lorna Tolentino, Rio Locsin, Alma Moreno, William Martinez, and Cherie Gil. Makakasama ni Piolo sa istoryang ito sina Rosanna Roces at Jodi Sta Maria. It will be directed by Raya Martin.
The second story is inspired by Jaguar, which starred Phillip Salvador and Amy Austria. Sina Jay Manalo, Anita Linda, Jiro Manio, at Alessandra de Rossi ang makakasama rito ni Piolo and it will be directed by Adolf Alix Jr.
Already, there are talks that this could be intended for next year's main competition at the Cannes International Film Festival. This year, pumasok sa Director's Fortnight si Raya Martin for his movie Now Showing.
Tinawagan agad ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Adolf for confirmation about the possibility of entering Manila in Cannes.
"Naku, walang ganoon. Ipalalabas na ito dito this year," sagot sa amin ni Adolf.
Cannes only accepts competition movies first shown in the said festival.