This year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) boasts a promising lineup of participating movies featuring diverse genres and intriguing storylines.
The 49th edition of the annual festival will open on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, with 10 movies hoping to draw audiences back to cinemas, which continue to recover from the impact of the recent pandemic.
Read: MMFF 2023 Top 10 official entries: Pinaghalu-halong romance, drama, horror, comedy, fantasy, action
With this in mind, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has released the film ratings of the entries to guide viewers and cinemas throughout the festival's run.
The ratings are determined by the MTRCB, ensuring that the films are deemed appropriate for viewers of specific age groups.
Read: To abolish or to retain: Is MTRCB censorship still relevant in the digital age?
This takes into account the content of the movies, including scenes, language, and plot, as seen in the final product that will be screened in theaters.
G FOR GENERAL AUDIENCE
Earning the rating of G, or suitable for all audiences, are the films Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story) and Penduko.
Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story) stars Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards, and is directed by Nuel Naval for Cineko Productions Inc., and Myriad Entertainment.
The superhero film Penduko — inspired by the Filipino comic book character Pedro Penduko — is top-billed by Metteo Guidicelli and is produced by Sari Sari Network Films, Viva Films, and Studio Viva.
Read:
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PG FOR PARENTAL GUIDANCE
The majority of this year's entries are rated PG, or Parental Guidance.
This means that viewers below 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult when watching the film.
Making the cut are the comedy film Becky & Badette starring comediennes Eugene Domingo and Pokwang under The IdeaFirst Company Inc., and Christian Bables's LGBT comedy film Broken Hearts Trip backed by BMC Films.
Also graded PG is Firefly, a fantasy and drama film produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs, starring Alessandra de Rossi.
Read: Direk Zig Dulay nanawagang unahing panoorin ang Firefly sa MMFF 2023
The historical film GomBurZa, based on the martyrdom of three Filipino priests executed during Spanish rule, produced by Jesuit Communications and MQuest Ventures was also given a PG rating by the censors board.
Portraying the roles of Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora are Dante Rivero, Cedrick Juan, and Enchong Dee.
The Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes romance and drama flick Rewind co-produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions is also categorized as PG.
Read: Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes "first and only choice" as lead stars of Star Cinema's Rewind
Joining the group is the reunion movie of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon titled When I Met You in Tokyo produced by JG Productions.
R-13 FOR RESTRICTED 13
The horror-thriller film Kampon of Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay was assessed an R-13 rating by the MTRCB. The film is a joint production by Quantum Films, Brightlight Productions, and OctoArts Films.
Read: Beauty Gonzalez sets two conditions for donation of excavated gold she wore at the GMA Gala 2023
It is joined by Mallari, the horror-thriller film based on the life of the country's first documented serial killer Juan Severino Mallari.
Piolo Pascual assumes the role of the killer priest, with Mentorque Productions financing the movie to be distributed by Warner Bros.
Read:
How Warner Bros. discovers Piolo Pascual's Mallari
Piolo Pascual, na-challenge sa triple-character role niya sa Mallari
The MTRCB's guidelines state that movies classified as R-13 contain themes, language, violence, nudity, sex, horror, and drugs not suitable for children below 13 years old.
MMFF IS A CELEBRATION
In a statement, MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto calls on the public to support the festival and troop to the cinemas to watch the films on the big screen.
She calls the MMFF an event that "promotes family bonding and cultural appreciation."
Lala adds, "MMFF is a celebration best experienced with family and friends.
"Sama-sama, manumbalik po tayo sa sinehan tungo sa Responsableng Panonood."
Read: MTRCB condemns rape, death threats, and harassment aimed at Chairperson Lala Sotto