Ang Mañanita ang nag-iisa o lone Filipino film na kalahok sa Main Competition Section ng 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival 2019.
Si Bela Padilla ang bida sa Mañanita na makikipagtunggali sa 13 pelikula mula sa iba’t ibang bansa.
Ang award-winning director na si Lav Diaz ang sumulat ng kuwento at mula ito sa direksiyon ni Paul Soriano.
"Superb film" ang introduction sa Mañanita ng mga organizer ng Tokyo International Film Festival 2019 dahil sa mga unassuming shot na naging emotional drama.
Pagbabahagi ni Paultungkol sa kanyang pelikula, "When Lav wrote the script, it was eight-pages long, and it was my job as a director to translate that into a feature film so very visual, musically driven.
"The music that you hear playing here was handpicked, the music also helps tell the story and just a great character-centered film."
Magkasamang dumalo sina Bela at Paul sa international film festival ng Japan para sa world premiere ng Mañanita na magaganap ngayong gabi, October 29, 8 P.M., sa EX Theater Roponggi.
Ayon kay Bela, "I guess we’re very blessed na this year, pumasok ang Mañanita sa flavor na gusto ng Tokyo International Film Festival, and we’re really excited.
"I feel like it’s a good opportunity for us to even just be there."
Tuwang-tuwa naman si Paul dahil kabilang ang Mañanita sa listahan ng Top 5 Picks to Watch sa Tokyo International Film Festival ng Tokyo Weekender.
Description ng Tokyo Weekender tungkol sa unang movie collaboration nina Paul at Bela:
"From Filipino director Paul Soriano, this emotionally charged film stars Bela Padilla as an ex-military sniper. Though she was honorably discharged, she accepts a life-changing mission.
"Mañanita is a character study of when you’ve lost everything, but you still go after your dreams — even though they might kill you."