In the screwball comedy series Starstruck, we follow the chaotic life of Jessie (Rose Matafeo), a millennial from New Zealand who finds herself in the bustling streets of Hackney, London. Juggling two dead-end jobs, one as a nanny and the other at a local cinema, Jessie is trying to make ends meet while pursuing her dreams.
Everything takes an unexpected turn when, on New Year’s Eve, Jessie has a wild night and wakes up the next morning next to Tom (Nikesh Patel), a charming and handsome stranger. As she tries to navigate the awkwardness of the morning-after-the-night-before, Jessie soon discovers that Tom is not just any ordinary guy — he’s a world-famous film star. And what starts as a seemingly random encounter quickly turns into a whirlwind romance as Jessie and Tom continue to cross paths.
In Season 3, the series goes in a completely different direction from the first two seasons, taking a step back from the romance. Jessie, now in her 30s, is grappling with that oh-so-relatable feeling of feeling left behind while all her friends are settling down. As Jessie deals with her friend group’s changing dynamics, she must also figure out how to move on and carve her own path. It’s real and raw, but the show manages to keep things light and entertaining, making it a hilarious and heartwarming watch.
Catch Season 3 of Starstruck on September 1, exclusively in the Philippines on Lionsgate Play
The global fashion landscape is rapidly evolving and the phenomenon is reaching the Philippine retail scene in no time! Robinsons Manila welcomes the first concept store of HLA – the newest craze in international men’s fast fashion – in the country. A well-dressed man is sure to catch anyone’s attention and HLA takes pride in making men not only look great but also feel good about themselves.
HLA offers high-quality and well-designed men’s apparel and accessories at reasonable prices so men can stay in style, no matter the season.
With over 6,000 stores spanning the globe, HLA enters the Filipino fast fashion scene with a lot of excitement, amplified by the choice of Robinsons Manila for its pilot store. HLA is not just about clothes; it’s a statement, a lifestyle. The brand embodies three core principles: High-quality clothes, Live symbolizing youth and vitality and Affordable prices. The fusion of these values forms the foundation of a brand committed to weaving global fashion trends into meticulously crafted garments for the modern man.
Tailored to suit the tastes of the modern yet practical man, HLA’s product suite leaves no fashion desire unfulfilled. From timeless staples for daily wear to suave corporate ensembles and from sharp formal attire to the finest selection of socks and shoes, HLA promises a wide array of choices for every facet of a man’s life.
Welcome the future of men’s fashion at Level 1 Midtown, Robinsons Manila, where HLA has found its first and new home.
The paintings on display at the ongoing exhibit at ARTablado in Robinsons Galleria are by an artist with a strong faith in a higher power. In fact, when asked who her favorite artist is, Marie Claire Olondriz chose God. “He’s the ultimate artist who created everything… matter, space, time, the entire universe.”
In the years that she has spent honing her painting style, she has come up with canvases awash in color and light. Some of them are of Marian images like Our Lady of Aranzazu and Our Lady Star of the Sea but there are also her floral paintings including a beautiful one of a magnolia flower in full bloom. Another theme is the Madonna and Child although the artist opts to leave their faces blank, inscrutable.
Unlike other painters who utilize both portrait and landscape, Marie Claire’s canvases are all vertical—even one that features a tiny cottage at the bottom of the frame, bluish mountains in the distance.
“I’ve been passionate about art since I was a child. I believe that art is in everything not just in drawing, but in how we do things every day. It’s how we dress, show love, talk, smile, and our dreams. It’s there in what we believe in and how we write. Even in small stuff like arranging things, cooking, and the words we use. Art is all around us,” Marie Claire said.
When she was younger, she would grab a sketch pad and her pencils and draw whatever caught her eye—sketching and coloring based on how she felt.
It taught her to be unafraid of color, of adhering too closely to what colors can be used for certain objects. “Sometimes, if someone asked me to draw something, I’d do it their way,” she said.
Marie Claire came up with her style of painting when she was confined in the hospital. She started out scribbling in her sketch pad which led to continuous circles that initially seemed directionless.
“Later, I expanded this to my paintings, using contrasting colors against the backdrop to create a textured look. What I enjoy is the sense of playfulness these scribbles bring to my art,” she said. “Amidst the sea of realist styles in my art group, mine feels unique. That’s why I began calling it ‘olondrizism,’ after my own name. It reflects my heart and soul when doing art.”
When the time came to pick a title for her ARTablado exhibit, she chose “Obra ni Maria Clara.”
Coming up with new paintings for the exhibit, however, took a while as she struggled with tennis elbow as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, the latter afflicting both hands.
“On top of that, fibromyalgia would give me pain every single day,” she recounted.
She took a break for a while and entertained thoughts she might not be able to meet the deadline. “Instead of having an operation, I tried therapy and kept trusting in God, believing He’d bless this exhibit somehow. I couldn’t let the doctors operate on my hands [because] that would mean no painting for over a month, or maybe even no more painting at all. But I held onto my faith, and after going through therapy and taking some rest, I managed to finish all the paintings I needed for the upcoming exhibit. It’s all thanks to God.”
The exhibit that runs until September 15 will highlight Marie Claire’s take on “the beauty of everyday life, of common things we seldom appreciate.”
The artist is grateful to Roseann Villegas, Corporate Public Relations Director of Robinsons Land Corporation for approaching her after spotting a painting Marie Claire had made for a group show. “It was like a dream come true. I felt overwhelmed. I thanked God because I knew deep down that this was a gift from Him.”
Established in 2020, Robinsons Land ARTablado, a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is Robinsons Land’s very own stage in showcasing the Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This platform allows emerging and established artists to freely express themselves through art and paves the way to greater recognition of their talent and hard work. To date, ARTablado has mounted numerous exhibitions and hosted over 400 artists.
Manila Prince Hotel is excited to announce a month-long anniversary celebration this September 2023. To mark this milestone, the hotel is holding a series of exclusive promotions as a token of gratitude to its valued patrons. Below is the rundown of the activities.
Royal Reward Card
To kick off the celebrations, Manila Prince Hotel presents the Royal Reward Card – a frequency card designed to reward the loyal guests of Marcelino St. Café with exciting freebies. Collect a stamp with each lunch or dinner buffet at Marcelino St. Café and enjoy a complimentary iced tea on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th visits. On the 10th visit, indulge in a buffet treat for free. Offer is valid from September 1 to 30, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.
Your Manila Prince Hotel Moments
“Your Manila Prince Hotel Moments” photo contest invites guests to share their most joyous and cherished memories and experiences at the hotel. Whether it’s a heartwarming story, a memorable event, or a snapshot that conveys a special moment, participants have the chance to win a complimentary lunch or dinner buffet for two (2) persons at Marcelino St. Café.
To submit an entry, fill up the form via https://app.manilaprince.com/mph-anniversary/. All successfully submitted photos have the chance to be one of the Top 10 winners which will be selected based on the following criteria: Narrative & Storytelling (50%), Relevance (25%), and Visual & Emotional Impact (25%). Submission of entries is from September 10 to 20, 2023. Announcement of the 10 winners will be on October 2, 2023.
Book Your Celebration With Us
Manila Prince Hotel extends a remarkable special offer to those seeking to celebrate unforgettable events. From elegant weddings to corporate gatherings, booking an event at the hotel not only guarantees a seamless experience but also gives one a chance to enjoy a complimentary staycation. Pay for an event with a minimum revenue of Php 91,023 nett and get an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room inclusive of buffet breakfast for two (2) persons.
Booking period and pay date is from September 1 to 30, 2023. Valid for events from September 1 to December 31, 2023. For inquiries and reservations, call (63 998) 591-1912 or email sales@manilaprince.com. Terms and conditions apply.
Rediscover Cantonese Delights at the Reopening of Dragon Court
Nestled in a chic yet relaxed setting, get ready to savor once again the finest flavors of Cantonese cuisine at Dragon Court. Its carefully crafted menu features all-time favorites and iconic classic dishes. Set to reopen on September 27, enjoy an exquisite lunch experience from 11AM to 3PM or relish an evening affair during dinner service from 6PM to 10PM. For inquiries and reservations, call (63 2) 5328-2222 or email fnb@manilaprince.com.
New Line Cinema brings you the horror thriller “The Nun II,” the next chapter in the story of “The Nun,” the highest grossing entry in the juggernaut $2 billion “The Conjuring” Universe. As a treat to fans of scary movies, “The Nun II” will hold simultaneous midnight screenings in participating cinemas on September 6 (also the film’s opening day). Fans can get their tickets now at https://www.nun2.com.ph/
“I’m really excited for audiences to see this movie, and I think that it is nightmarishly scary,” says Michael Chaves in an interview provided by the studio. “I love the theater-going experience, especially with horror movies. Being in a packed theater with friends and strangers is such an incredible and powerful experience. Along with the scares, it is filled with truly unique set pieces and a compelling story that takes characters whom we love further on their journey and into really hard places while making tough choices. The times that I’ve seen it with an audience have been really special and exciting, and I can’t wait for moviegoers to see this film.”
On his fascination with Valak, Chaves shares, “I think that the Demon Nun is one of those iconic movie monsters. I mean, you see it on a poster and it’s like a little bit of a throwback to Dracula. You see a little bit of Pennywise. You see a little Nosferatu. It’s so timeless and has such an iconic look. It’s one of the ultimate horror movie icons and one of the ultimate movie villains. With this film, I just wanted to take it further. I wanted to explore the manifestations. And I also just wanted to dig more into the story, or at least the myth or the theories, of what its origins could be. I think it’s really important to do that, but to never be too specific. I think that part of the mystery and part of not knowing what it is, that’s really powerful. It’s what makes it truly scary.”
1956 – France. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to the worldwide smash hit follows Sister Irene as she once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun.
Taissa Farmiga (“The Nun,” “The Gilded Age”) returns as Sister Irene, joined by Jonas Bloquet (“Tirailleurs,” “The Nun”), Storm Reid (“The Last of Us,” “The Suicide Squad”), Anna Popplewell (“Fairytale,” “The Chronicles of Narnia” trilogy) and Bonnie Aarons (reprising her role from “The Nun”), surrounded by an ensemble cast of international talent.
Michael Chaves (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”) directs, from a screenplay by Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing (“Eli,” “The Autopsy of Jane Doe”) and Akela Cooper (“M3GAN,” “Malignant”),with a story by Cooper, based on characters created by James Wan & Gary Dauberman.
The Safran Company’s Peter Safran and Atomic Monster’s James Wan produce, continuing their collaboration as filmmakers on all of the previous “Conjuring” films. “The Nun II” is executive produced by Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Gary Dauberman, Michael Clear, Judson Scott and Michael Polaire.
In cinemas September 6, “The Nun II” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #TheNun2
The latest dog movie, not for children though, Strays starring the voices of Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Park Randall, Josh Gad, Sofia Vergara, Harvey Guillen, Robb Riggle, Brett Gelman and Jamie Demetriou is an R-rated (R-16 in PH) live-action comedy that trails the misadventures of an abandoned Border Terrier who learned to survive on the streets along with his newfound pals while trying to find his way back home.
From the highly-successful Barbie, Will Ferrell takes off his CEO suit and lends voice to Reggie, a naïve optimistic Border Terrier who found genuine friendship on the streets with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed horny Boston Terrier named Bug (voiced by Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx), a smart Australian Shepherd named Maggie (Isla Fisher, Now You See Me) and Hunter (Randall Park, Always Be My Maybe), an anxious Great Dane – together, they hatch a plan and embark on an epic adventure to help Reggie find his way home and make his owner Doug (Will Forte) pay for abandoning him. Reggie believes he has the best life, and owner ever. Blinded by love, Reggie doesn’t see that Doug is repeatedly trying to ditch him. So, when Doug finally abandons Reggie on the streets during a game of “fetch and fuck,” Reggie doesn’t initially think that he has much in common with the stray dogs he meets.
Directed by Josh Greenbaum, Strays reinvents the dog movies we’re all used to while retaining what the world loves about dogs – on love, loyalty, and friendship. While the core of the adventure is Reggie and his hilarious, disgusting journey of redemption and triumph over an abusive owner, ultimately, it’s the bond of ride-or-die friendship that develops between Reggie and his fellow strays that gives the film it’s emotional bite.
Director Josh Greenbaum with ReggieJamie Foxx voices BugWill Ferrell voices Reggie
Ferrell was immediately amused by the concept of an R-rated dog film, but it was the heart of it that hooked him. “I immediately loved that the premise emulated a Homeward Bound type of dog movie with a journey behind it, yet it’s filthy and R-rated,” Ferrell says. “I remember thinking it could be really great and could be something we’ve never seen before. The audaciousness of the premise and the sweet, earnest relationships between the dogs surprised me.”
Foxx connected with Bug’s canine-liberation ethos and hedonist world view. “He’s the friend that Reggie never knew he needed because Reggie has been burned by this blind commitment to a human who treats him like garbage. Bug’s got some battle scars, and he is the only one who can help Reggie survive on the streets. Strays is over-the-top funny and raunchy, but it also has a ton of heart. I think that’s what audiences will be drawn to when they see it,” says Foxx.
Isla Fisher voices Maggie
Fisher was drawn to Maggie because of the character’s fearlessness. “What I love about Maggie is that she is surrounded by neurotic male dogs and is certain of her own worth in the pack,” Fisher says. “She’s unapologetic, brave and willing to fight for what she believes in. I couldn’t imagine a better role model, canine or otherwise, and I’m proud to give voice to her.”
Strong as a mastiff and fast as a Whippet, the only thing Great Dane Hunter can’t handle is physical violence. Randall Park who voices Hunter Park immediately sparked to the film’s script and premise. “Hunter’s this big dopey Great Dane who just couldn’t cut it as a police dog, but he has the heart of a lion,” Park says. “He’s very unsure of himself at the beginning of this journey but comes into his own through the help of his fellow strays. He’s the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.”
Randall Park as Hunter
Once the dogs completed production on Strays, any animal who didn’t already have a permanent home with the trainers was found a loving one with screened individuals who would give their beloved new family member a fulfilling life. In fact, one of the dogs was adopted by director Josh Greenbaum. “When we brought in two adorable puppy Border Terriers to play young Reggie in an early scene of the film, it was made known to me that these dogs wouldn’t have a home after the shoot,” Greenbaum says. “So, I decided to adopt one of them and asked my kids to name him. They immediately said we’ve got to name him Reggie because he played Reggie in the movie. I came home after shooting the film, introduced Reggie to the family, and now I have Will Ferrell in my house.”
A dog film only for adults, rated R-16 by the local censors board, Strays is from Universal Pictures International and will open September 13 in cinemas nationwide.
You’ve seen his perfect visuals and undeniable charm on hit K-Dramas like Boys Over Flowers, That Winter, the Wind Blows, Law School, Ghost Doctor, and most recently, Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, and now you’ll have a chance to see your OG oppa, Kim Bum, in person!
Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) brings you an exclusive pre-sale event that will allow you to get first dibs on tickets for the highly awaited 2023 KIM BUM ASIA FAN MEETING (Between U and Me) to be held on September 22, 2023, at the New Frontier Theater in Manila and on September 23, 2023 at the NUSTAR Convention Center in Cebu!
As the Official Sponsor and Exclusive Pre-Sale Partner of the 2023 Kim Bum Fan Meeting in the Philippines, UnionBank will be holding a ticket pre-sale event on August 30, 2023, from 10:00AM to 11:59PM on TicketNet (for the Manila leg) and SM Tickets (for the Cebu leg) online, which will be open exclusively to UnionBank-issued active credit and debit cardholders. This will allow you to score tickets ahead of the official public sale schedule on August 31, 2023, from 12:00PM onwards. For the pre-sale, use the first six digits of your card number as the promo code.
A beloved South Korean actor, dancer, singer, and model, Kim Bum first rose to fame as So Yi-Jung in the popular K-drama Boys Over Flowers in 2009. Since then, he has starred in numerous drama series and films, winning prestigious awards and capturing the hearts of countless fans all over the world.
UnionBank has previously held exclusive pre-sales for Hamilton, Bruno Mars, and Sam Smith, and is now adding fan meets to its roster of A-list events. “We’re proud to be this event’s Official Sponsor and Exclusive Pre-sale Partner in the Philippines,” said Vishal Kadian, Cards and Consumer Loans Head at UnionBank. “This is just one of the many ways we are delighting our customers through exclusive offers and experiences that make using their UnionBank cards even more rewarding.”
Buyfansur tickets at the exclusive UnionBank pre-sale on August 30 via www.ticketnet.com.ph (September 22 fan meet in Manila) and www.smtickets.com (September 23 fan meet in Cebu).
And the long wait is over! Fans and Watsons shoppers alike were thrilled this Wednesday as QUICKFX introduced Donny Pangilinan as their brand ambassador in an event held at Watsons SM North Edsa The Grand. The GEN Z heart throb mingled with crowds of delighted customers, highlighting the extensive range of Pimple Eraser products and even doing a little skincare education and sales himself.
Pimple Eraser is one of the leading names when it comes to acne care in with over 10 years on the market, and countless customers talking about the results they have seen. The Donny campaign highlights this well known, trending reputation of QUICKFX for efficacy with the line “Pimple Eraser- so fast”. It’s a perfect match, given Donny is also an athlete and sports buff.
“I’m so happy to be part of team QUICKFX. I’m also so excited to share with you the best products that will definitely address your skin concerns,” Donny said as he shared with everyone how QUICKFX quickly became his go-to skin care products to maintain his pimple-free, clear skin.
Pimple Eraser, in the last years, has introduced a number of innovations that have taken top seller places in the category. The favorite and OG, Pimple Eraser Cream has long been a go-to for treating breakouts. Showcased in this campaign, Donny’s ads feature the newer Recovery Concentrate for fading dark spots and acne marks, Spot Patches engineered with microneedle technology to flatten big pimples fast, and the most recent Body Spray designed to clear acne from chest and back areas. Formulated in Korea, Pimple Eraser products are made with only the most effective ingredients, promising results. So fast? Absolutely. Donny also debuted the brand’s new QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit, a limited edition pouch containing all these best sellers at full size for just P899.
Just before the launch, some lucky shoppers also got an unexpected surprise treat as Donny himself casually showed up by the QUICKFX counter to assist them with their skin care inquiries, while giving recommendations on his very own Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit.
Ten of Donny’s fans and Pimple Eraser loyalists also got the rare chance to not only meet and greet but also snap a selfie with their favorite actor simply by joining the concluded Can You Catch Donny? promo aimed at garnering the highest cumulative spend on QUICKFX Pimple Eraser products purchased exclusively on Watsons stores and Watsons online. They also got to take home a limited edition Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit signed by Donny Pangilinan himself as an added treat!
Donny’s Limited Edition Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit is priced at P899 (with savings of up to P107) and comes with a free travel pouch. QUICKFX Pimple Eraser products are exclusively available at all Watsons stores nationwide and Watsons Online.
“We are so amazed by the outpour of love and support for Donny as our brand ambassador. We are very thankful to have him onboard. It’s an exciting start of a collaboration between Donny and QUICKFX and we look forward to a more fruitful partnership,’ says Frances Jabeguero, Brand and Innovations Lead.
QUICKFX is a brand of Descorp, a key player in beauty and wellness. It was founded with the vision of becoming one of the most agile and innovative players in the industry. With the needs of both its partners and consumers in mind, it is a driving force behind today’s most loved brands.
September is shaping up to be a stellar month, as HBO, Warner TV, and Cartoon Network roll out their red carpets to unveil a line-up of dramas, superhero exploits, and animated adventures. Delve into the psychological drama Tár on HBO GO and HBO, don’t miss the premiere of Shazam! Fury of the Gods on HBO. Enjoy non-stop action on Warner TV with a line-up of exciting Superhero movies including The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2,Aquaman and more. For family-friendly entertainment, celebrate Batman Day with Long Live The Bat on Cartoon Network, enjoy a Batwheels marathon on Bam, and catch Batman Team Up on Cartoonist as well as the second season of Dino Ranch!
Tár Premieres Saturday, September 9 at 10pm on HBO and HBO GO
From producer-writer-director Todd Field comes Tár, starring Cate Blanchett as the iconic musician Tár. Tár examines the changing nature of power, its impact and durability in our modern world. She is widely considered one of the greatest living composers / conductors and first-ever female chief conductor of a major German Orchestra. Cast include Cate Blanchett, Noemie Merlant, Nina Hoss, Sophie Kauer, Julian Glover, Allan Corduner and Mark Strong
In celebration of Batman Day, binge on movies of your favourite caped crusader from Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy: Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises. Check out series such as Gotham Knights, Gotham and more! For the kids, they can catch series such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Batman: The Animated Series and animated movies such as Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem and Batman And Superman: Battle Of The Super Sons.
Inspired by Steven Spielberg’s own childhood, this coming-of-age film received 7 nominations at the 2023 Academy Awards®. Stars include Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, and Judd Hirsch.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves Premieres Saturday, September 30 at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO
Justice Smith plays Simon, Chris Pine plays Edgin, Sophia Lillis plays Doric and Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves from Paramount Pictures.
A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page and, Hugh Grant.
Action on Warner TV
Movie Premieres on Warner TV
Last Look
Premieres Sunday, September 3 at 9pm
Super Saturdays on Warner TV
Every Saturday at 9pm
The Amazing Spider-Man September 2
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 September 9
Batman Begins September 16
Aquaman September 23
Pan September 30
Comedy and Adventure on Cartoon Network and CARTOONITO
Long Live the Bat Weekends, September 2 to September 17, from 9.30am on Cartoon Network
On weekends, from Saturday, September 2 till Sunday, September 17, Cartoon Network celebrates Batman Day with a fun and action-packed line-up featuring new episodes of Batwheels and Teen Titans Go’s TV Knight, parts 1 to 8. In addition, go on a mission with Batman, Superman and the Justice League in LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite.
Bam and Batman Team Up Weekends, September 2 to September 17, from 8am on CARTOONITO
On weekends, starting Saturday, September 2 till Sunday, September 17, CARTOONITO shines the light on Batwheels with a Bam and Batman Team Up watch-a-thon!
For all Batmaniacs, you won’t want to miss a very exclusive special episode of Batwheelson September 16, calledTo The Batmobile!This episodediscovers what happens when all the Batwheels (except for Bam), mysteriously disappear, and Bam enlists the help of A.D.A.M, the original Batmobile, to help save his friends.
Dino Ranch Season 2 Weekends, September 2 to September 30, from 11.30am on CARTOONITO
Join the adventures of the Cassidy family as it tackles life in a “pre-westoric” setting where dinosaurs still roam.
In Eggs on the Edge, the team try to save pterosaur eggs during a windstorm, but a damaged Dino Buggy complicates things for the Flyer and Rescue Squad.
More episodes to come every weekend, only on CARTOONITO.
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has unanimously chosen the disaster epic Concrete Utopia to represent South Korea in the selection for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards.
In a statement on their official website, KOFIC said that they tried to select “a film that is Korean, yet aims for a global standard, strikes a good balance between artistry and popularity, and appeals without resistance to the Academy Awards.” The judges unanimously selected Concrete Utopia “as it seems to be able to appeal to North America without being unfamiliar with the trend of K-culture and K-movie.”
Directed by Um Tae-hwa, Concrete Utopia is loosely based on Part 2 of the hit webtoon “Joyful Outcast” (“Pleasant Neighbors”) and stars an ensemble of A-list Korean actors including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young, Park Ji-hu, Kim Do-yoon and Kim Sun-young. It is a disaster thriller about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The film will follow the story that begins when the survivors gather at Hwang Gung Apartments, the only building left standing in an earthquake-ravaged Seoul.
Kim Do-yoonKim Sun-young
Concrete Utopia is a sobering parable, following its characters’ gradual descent into ruthless tribalism in a way that eerily mirrors so many contemporary global events.
The 2024 Academy Awards will be held on March 10, 2024. The final list of nominees for Best International Feature Film will be announced on January 23. Prior to the Oscars, the acclaimed South Korean film will have its North American premiere and gala presentation at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 9.
Lee Byung-hun (center)Park Bo-young
TIFF is also delighted to announce that Concrete Utopia stars Lee Byung-hun (Inside Men, Mr. Sunshine, Squid Game) and Park Seo-jun (Itaewon Class, Midnight Runners, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim) will be participating in the festival’s audience-pleasing “In Conversation With…” series, which features in-depth conversations with film artists, writers and cultural figures about their creative process.
Concrete Utopia, which opened at #1 in Korea on August 9, will open in Philippine cinemas September 20.
InConcrete Utopia, the world has been reduced to rubble by a massive earthquake.
While no one knows for sure how far the ruins stretch, or what the cause of the earthquake may be, in the heart of Seoul there is only one apartment building left standing. It is called Hwang Gung Apartments.
As time passes, outsiders start coming in to Hwang Gung Apartments trying to escape the extreme cold. Before long, the apartment residents are unable to cope with the increasing numbers. Feeling a threat to their very survival, the residents enact a special measure.
In cinemas September 20, Concrete Utopiais distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #ConcreteUtopiaMoviePH
