New poster of CIRCA
revealed! A fitting tribute to Filipino cinema as it celebrates its centennial
this year, CIRCA relives the glory days of cinema through its characters – with
the great Anita Linda (who at 94 is the oldest working actor in the industry)
headlining the film about Doña Atang,
a once celebrated film producer in the early days of cinema who wants to be
reconnected with her peers as she celebrates her 100th
birthday. Her wish opens up a Pandora’s box as her filmmaker/grandson searches
for them - we remember the glorious
years of cinema from of its workers- a nostalgia piece filled with memories of
what the good old days of Filipino cinema is like.
Aside from Ms. Linda,
CIRCA boasts of a fine ensemble that puts together some of the finest actors of
Philippine cinema – Cannes Best Actress winner Jaclyn Jose; multi-awarded
actors Laurice Guillen, Elizabeth Oropesa, Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao and one of
the best actors of his generation Enchong Dee playing the pivotal role of the
grandson. Also in special roles are acting stalwarts Perla Bautista, Rustica
Carpio, Liza Lorena, Rosanna Roces, Alessandra de Rossi, Menggie Cobarrubias
and Alan Paule with Joel Saracho, Ge Villamil, Tetay Ocampo, Erlinda
Villalobos, Rener Concepcion and upcoming actors Oliver Aquino, Kim Last,
Adrian Pascual and Joel Palencia. The
late Eddie Garcia is also part of the cast and plays a celebrated actor in the
studio era.
CIRCA not only touches on
the issues of nostalgia but it also is a drama about a family that wrestles
between the past and the future as Doña Atang’s siblings are
beset with the conflicts of what to do with their family’s legacy.
Written and directed by
Adolfo Borinaga Alix, Jr., CIRCA opens this September 13-19 in select cinemas
nationwide as an official entry in the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino’s
Sandaan Showcase. The film is produced
by Noble Wolf ABAJ Film Productions and RSVP with the support from the Hong
Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and distributed by Solar Pictures.
Last March, the film won
the White Light Post-Production Award in the17th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing
Forum (HAF) which allowed the film to do post-production in one of Thailand’s
premiere post production facilities – White Light Studio.
CIRCA
Synopsis:
Doña Atang, a once
celebrated film producer from the earlier years of Filipino cinema, celebrates
her one hundredth birthday. For her wish, she wants a reunion with all the
actors and staff that she has worked with in the past. She is also looking for
an unfinished film from one of her directors. Her grandson, a budding
filmmaker, Michael decides to take the task of finding them. As he does, we
remember the glorious years of cinema from of its workers-fragments of a
colorful past filled with faded memories. Will
it remain as part of the past?
Cast:
Doña Atang Anita Linda
Meding Jaclyn Jose
Maria Gina Alajar
Susan Elizabeth Oropesa
Ernesto Ricky Davao
Rosa Laurice Guillen
Michael Enchong
Dee
with
Perla
Bautista, Rustica Carpio, Liza Lorena, Rosanna Roces, Alessandra de Rossi,
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
“There
is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life.” ― Federico Fellini
This year is the
centennial of Philippine cinema. From the first light coming the projector of
the first film
about the life of our
national hero Dr. Rizal, cinema has evolved into a lot of shapes.
Circa is a film in which I
want to confront the demons surrounding the old and the new form of cinema. Of
what is pure and classic, of what is new and stylistic. I am interested to know
the ghosts of the past and how a simple wish of a dying woman can open up a
Pandora’s box full of memories, emotions, pains and unresolved issues about
what we love and hate about cinema. The past always remains to be a thing to be
looked upon,but I think it is important as
a filmmaker to be able to understand the currents of what used to be to be able
to meet with the waves of the present. The interplay of actors and various
characters during the reunion will create a microcosm of what use to matter
about the craft of filmmaking. Their voices will speak against the walls of
death echoed in the old structure of the mansion which used to be the hub of
the old producer’s studio system. Michael represents the new filmmaker. He may
look at old films as references for what he wants to do but it is important to
live and breathe cinema more than evoke a past.
In the end, Doña Atang
maybe cinema personified- her dying wish maybe what films are all about.
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