At the center of “Where the Crawdads Sing“ is Kya Clark (Daisy Edgar-Jones) – “the marsh girl” – about whom little is known and much is assumed. When Chase Andrews, once the town’s star quarterback and now heir apparent to a successful auto shop, is found dead in the marsh, most of the townspeople are quick to blame Kya. As local defense attorney Tom Milton tries to save Kya’s life, Kya slowly reveals her mysteries – abandoned by her family and left to make a life for herself in the marsh… the two loves that shaped her past… and the lengths that creatures of nature will go to survive.
“The main thing I love about Kya is how resilient she is,” says Daisy Edgar-Jones. “Her relationship with Chase ends on bad terms. When Chase is found dead in the marsh, Kya goes on trial for his murder. All eyes are on her during the trial, yet she continues to show incredible resilience and strength, and maintains her quiet curiosity and connection with the natural world.”
Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
“Kya says there’s no dark side to nature, just inventive ways to endure,” adds Edgar-Jones. “For Kya, having suffered so much abuse from her family and people leaving her, the one thing that always stuck was nature. It always there for her and I think it became her family.”
“Daisy Edgar-Jones is a once-in-a-lifetime talent,” says producer Reese Witherspoon. “She can morph herself into so many different characters. You feel her vulnerability and her ferocity in this performance. Daisy and [director] Olivia Newman worked together to create a performance that sometimes is very, very small and internal, and other times is rage-filled and ferocious. There’s no artifice, there’s no lying, she just becomes the character. And I have to say, I’m pretty tough on Southern accents, and Daisy just fell into it so beautifully, with a real respect for the language and the way that Delia wrote.”
Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
To prepare for the role, Edgar-Jones – a Londoner by birth – would have to remake herself into Kya Clark: her physical strength, her experience boating in the marsh, her talent for drawing and painting, and, of course, her Carolina accent.
“I read the book over and over and over,” Edgar-Jones says. “When I got the script, I went through every scene I had, and I wrote out the key parts of the chapter next to the script page, which was really helpful. I learned a lot about boating and the marsh – the wildlife and the landscape.”
Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Edgar-Jones worked with dialect coach Francie Brown to hide her London accent and to speak like a mid-century American woman living on the North Carolina coast. “I love working in accents, because acting in my own voice makes me very self-conscious,” says Edgar-Jones. “Because I play Kya as she ages over several years, it was important to express the subtleties of Kya’s voice as she ages from a higher register at 15 to 20 to 23. That was a real access point for me because there’s a kind of special softness to Kya’s voice that’s different from mine, which was also a really good way to separate myself from the character.”
In cinemas across the Philippines starting September 14, Where the Crawdads Sing is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #CrawdadsMovie
Academy-award winning actress Tilda Swinton and the multi-talented Idris Elba star in “Three Thousand Years of Longing”, directed by George Miller, the film is a sweeping fantasy romantic adventure that trails the adventures of a solitary academic and the magical genie-in-a-bottle.
Swinton and Elba in “Three Years of Longing”
Swinton plays narratologist Dr. Alithea Binnie, someone who studies stories through the ages while Elba takes on the role of Djinn aka Genie. Their worlds intertwine as Dr. Binnie unknowingly picks up a magical bottle from a pile of relics to bring home from her trip. Once settled in her room, she eventually unleashes a genie from the bottle who offers her three wishes in exchange for her freedom. Desperate to gain her trust for his freedom, Djinn takes Dr. Binnie on an epic adventure recalling his 3000 years being in and out of the bottle.
To see the film in a cinema is the filmmakers’ greatest hope for audiences. “When we go into the cinema, it’s a kind of public dreaming,” says Miller. “You are invited into the story, and hopefully caught up in it. Sharing dreams with strangers, on the big screen. We worked so hard on the images and sounds, making them congruent. We tried to tell a story that keeps you leaning forward in your seat and, if it’s any good, to follow you out of the cinema.”
Tilda Swinton as Dr. Binnie in “Three Years of Longing”
“Three Thousand Years of Longing” is not just giving us a good story, it’s also about the importance of stories,” adds Elba. “I’m hoping that we continue to find ingenious ways to engage an audience in a story. You could quite easily sit around the tree, or a fire and tell the story of Alithea meeting the Djinn, and it would still be compelling, but with what George and our team created around it, visually, sonically, is amazing.”
For Tilda Swinton, “even though George wanted to make this film years ago, there’s never been a better time to make this film and for audiences to reconsider how important narrative is in our lives. What happened to us with the pandemic, and other global forces, there’s been a threat to the possibility of us being able to create narratives. We’re getting used to finding a way to renegotiate how we create narratives. Being story-less is not a good place for human beings to be. It is a threat to our mental health. This film is a real opportunity for people to re-evaluate and re-worship story as an essential part of how we work. So, bring on Three Thousand Years of Longing, to reboot the narrative drive in our systems.”
Swinton, Miller & Elba in “Three Years of Longing”
From Go Asia Entertainment, experience wonder in cinemas once again when Three Thousand Years of Longing opens September 14.
Penlab has finally released its app for Android and iOS devices!
Founded by the creative content group Kalabaw Kolektib, Penlab is an online reading platform exclusive to quality Filipino comics, or komiks. Aside from one-shots and series from both independent and well-known creators in the industry, Penlab also offers previews of some of the most sought-after titles in the local comics community such as Trese, The Mythology Class, Patay Kung Patay, and Twinkle Twinkle just to name a few.
Two years of komiks and community. Nasa susunod na kabanata na tayo! #PenlabDay
Now you can navigate Penlab’s library much easier on your phone with their new app, which has a nice, clean interface. Start reading now by downloading the Penlab app from the Google Play Store for Android users, and the App Store for iOS users.
You can also read and publish your work on Penlab.ink. For updates, follow Kalabaw Kolektib on Facebook.
Fans of the classic Disney flick The Little Mermaid are finally given a glimpse of its live-action iteration. Revealed at this year’s D23 expo, the teaser trailer features Halle Baile as Ariel, singing the iconic song Port of Your World.
Watch The Little Mermaid teaser trailer below:
A tale familiar to almost everyone, The Little Mermaid follows the mermaid Ariel who wishes to discover the fascinating life on land. Despite being forbidden by her father, King Triton, Ariel makes visits to the surface, and here she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with him, the little mermaid strikes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula so she can have human legs for three days. But the deal will not go without consequences.
The film also stars Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder; Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle; Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric; Art Malik as Sir Grimsby; Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina; Javier Bardem as King Triton; and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
The movie is set for release in US theaters on May 26, 2023. It is directed by Rob Marshall and written by David Magee. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!
The Walt Disney Studios turned up the volume in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center where thousands of fans gathered at D23 Expo 2022 to be the first to hear big announcements, new details and future plans for Disney Live Action, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The showcase began in true Disney style with a look back at special moments in Studio history and Cynthia Erivo’s breathtaking performance of the classic Disney song “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
“What a way to kick off the show,” said Alan Bergman, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Of course, ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ was first heard in the animated film ‘Pinocchio’ in 1940. It’s a motto about dreaming big, dreaming the impossible and making those dreams come true. And that’s something we try to do each and every day at the studio.”
Fans in Hall D23 were among the first to see a brand-new logo introduction of the iconic Disney castle—now platinum in honor of Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder celebration. Created by Disney Studios and Industrial Light & Magic, and featuring an all-new arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star” by award-winning composer Christophe Beck (“Frozen,” “WandaVision”), the new Disney castle introduction will play in front of all Disney theatrical and streaming releases starting this fall.
Bergman called on Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production (Disney Live Action); Pete Docter, chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios; and Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios to walk fans through a powerful lineup of streaming and theatrical titles. The event included the following theatrical titles’ highlights.
DISNEY LIVE ACTION
· “HAUNTED MANSION” director Justin Simien—who actually used to work at Disneyland—joined Bailey to discuss the ghostly adventure. Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, “Haunted Mansion” is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. They shared a sneak peek of the film exclusively with the D23 Expo crowd, then welcomed the queen of scary movies, Jamie Lee Curtis, who made an unforgettable entrance aboard a Haunted Mansion doom buggy. Curtis plays Madame Leota in the film, which releases next year.
· “MUFASA: THE LION KING,” a prequel to “The Lion King,” won’t release until 2024, but director Barry Jenkins was on hand to show a never-before-seen sneak peek and share a little about the film, which is currently in production. Told in flashbacks—Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa tell the story of Mufasa to a young lion cub—“Mufasa” reveals the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands.
· “SNOW WHITE” is a live-action reimagining of the classic tale starring Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as Snow White’s Stepmother, The Queen. The film’s two stars joined Bailey to talk about their roles and to share a very early glimpse at the iconic characters in the 2024 film, which is directed by Marc Webb, produced by Marc Platt and features new songs by Tony®-, Grammy®- and Oscar®-winning songwriters Pasek and Paul.
· “THE LITTLE MERMAID” director Rob Marshall took a break from post-production under the sea to share more about the live-action version of the beloved tale. He played the “Part of Your World” sequence for fans in Hall D23 and invited on stage Ariel herself, Halle Bailey, who shared her excitement about her new role. Marshall concluded by introducing the new teaser trailer, available worldwide today. Featuring fan-favorite songs plus four new songs penned by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the feature film also stars Melissa McCarthy as Ursula and Javier Bardem as Triton. “The Little Mermaid” swims onto the big screen next summer.
PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS
Pixar’s Pete Docter was excited to share the upcoming slate for the Emeryville-based animation studio. “These last few years have been a time of great change in the world,” said Docter. “And it’s led us at Pixar to think about the future. Or, if I’m channeling my inner Joe from ‘Soul,’ I’d ask: ‘Why are we here? What’s our purpose?’ Well, for us, it’s to tell great animated stories. Whether those are theatrical feature films, streaming series or shorts, we think telling stories is foundational to who we are as people. They really define us. And we believe in the power of animation to capture and reflect the stories of our own lives.”
First up, filmmakers Peter Sohn and Denise Ream joined Docter on stageto discuss “ELEMENTAL,” an all-new, original feature film releasing in June 2023. Sohn, who directs the film, shared the personal inspiration behind the film—a story of immigrants pursuing dreams in beautiful neighborhoods where language and cultures come together. Filmmakers introduced the characters in “Elemental,” which is set in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. Ember is a tough and fiery young woman, and Wade is a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy. Helping bring them to life are Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie, who were warmly welcomed to the Hall D23 stage. Audience members got an exclusive look at the film and received a mini-poster featuring Ember and Wade.
Before Docter could wrap Pixar’s portion of the show, he heard a voice from inside his head. Fortunately, it was actually the voice of Joy, Amy Poehler, who arrived on stage to huge applause—especially when she informed the audience that “INSIDE OUT 2” is in the works at Pixar. Director Kelsey Mann, producer Mark Nielsen and writer Meg LeFauve are hard at work on the all-new adventure inside the head of now-teenager Riley—who may or may not be feeling all kinds of new Emotions. “Inside Out 2,”the follow-up to 2015’s Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winning feature film, is slated for release Summer 2024.
WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee received a warm welcome from fans who were delighted to hear details about the studio’s plans for the yearlong 100-year anniversary celebration. “At Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio that started it all, on the eve of our 100th anniversary, we see today as a moment of privilege and promise,” said Lee. “A privilege to be stewards of a studio and a dream that Walt and his brother, Roy, started a century ago. And a promise to continue to take risks in our storytelling—and to explore and expand and turn the possible into the actual, just as Walt did.”
Lee then set the tone for Disney Animation’s next feature film, introducing the filmmakers behind “STRANGE WORLD.” Director Don Hall and co-director/ screenwriter Qui Nguyen revealed their personal connections to the film that’s about an incredible family who must get past their differences to save a strange world full of danger and surprises. The audience was treated to an all-new trailer from Disney Animation’s 61st feature film before voice cast members Jake Gyllenhaal (Searcher Clade), Dennis Quaid (Jaeger Clade), Jaboukie Young-White (Ethan Clade) and Lucy Liu (Callisto Mal) joined the festivities. Fans also got a glimpse at an action-packed sequence from the film and received an exclusive poster. Produced by Roy Conli, “Strange World” also features the voice of Gabrielle Union (Meridian). The film opens in theaters Nov. 23, 2022.
In the finale moment of the presentation, Lee returned to the stage to officially unveil Disney Animation’s next original feature film, “WISH,” set to release Fall 2023, during the Studio’s 100th year. A film that could only come from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the epic animated musical is inspired by the legacy of films from the studio and asks the question: “How did the wishing star, upon which so many characters wished, come to be?” Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn outlined the story, which is set in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes where wishes can literally come true. Attendees were introduced to 17-year-old Asha—an optimist with a sharp wit who cares endlessly about her community. In a moment of desperation, Asha makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Disney Animation good-luck-charm Alan Tudyk joined filmmakers on stage to share an animation test for his newest character, a goat named Valentino. Buck, Veerasunthorn and Lee then introduced the voice of Asha, actress Ariana DeBose, who brought down the house singing an all-new original song written by Julia Michaels, who’s writing all of the songs for “Wish.” DeBose’s captivating performance of “More for Us” closed the showcase in signature Disney style. Lee is a writer on the film, Peter Del Vecho produces and Juan Pablo Reyes co-produces.
You no longer need to go abroad to have a taste of Olive Garden‘s finest offerings!
The largest Italian-American restaurant chain in the US, with more than 900 restaurants at present, is opening its first branch here in the Philippines! Before they open their doors to the public on September 12, the restaurant held a media launch giving the members of the press a try at their flavorsome lineup of Italian dishes.
A sumptuous spread showcasing Olive Garden’s finest offerings.
The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of the South Entertainment Mall at the SM Mall of Asia. From inside the mall, customers are greeted by their bar counter, with a rustic stone passageway leading to their main dining area. The restaurant has a spacious interior, with earth tones giving off a warm and cozy vibe, while the comfortable furniture and decor allude to the Italian countryside. Olive Garden has a seating capacity of 300, with an al fresco area facing the Seaside Boulevard.
Of course, the highlight of our visit is their rich roster of dishes that boast authentic Italian flavors and hearty servings. Kick off your meal and excite your palates with their appetizers: the Lasagna Fritta has a crisp exterior slathered with cheese and meat sauce, and bursts with a bang of lasagna goodness; while the Shrimp Frito Mistois a platter of breaded and fried shrimp with marinara and ranch dips.
Lasagna FrittaShrimp Frito Misto
Olive Garden is also known for their Never-Ending Salad, Breadsticks, and Soups that are available in Pasta E Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone, and Chicken & Gnocchi.
Never-Ending SaladZuppa Toscana
Further fulfill your cravings for Italian cuisine with Olive Garden’s mouthwatering entrées. Part of their pasta lineup are the Chicken Alfredo, offering a sumptuous affair between the creamy alfredo, tender chicken, and herbs; the Shrimp Scampi with angel hair and the distinct shrimp umami; the Fettucini with Creamy Mushroom Sauce that has a thicker and richer cream with the added texture of mushroom mix-ins; and the Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara that combines the best of both chicken and shrimp on top of a crave-worthy carbonara.
Chicken AlfredoShrimp ScampiFettucini with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
If you fancy less pasta and more meat, you can also order their Chicken Margherita topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto, and lemon garlic sauce; or the Chicken Parmigiana which is fried and smothered with Italian cheeses and marinara sauce. If you seek a more filling plate, then your best pick would be the Tour of Italy which brings together their lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and fettuccini alfredo in one serving.
Chicken MargheritaTour of Italy
If you’re looking for something more savory to go with their fettuccini alfredo, you can also try it with Olive Garden’s Sirloin Steak.
Sirloin Steak with fettuccini alfredo
For the drinks, Olive Garden’s bar got you covered with their lineup of cocktails which include the Italian Margarita, Peach Bellini, Hibiscus-Oh!, Olive Gin on the Rocks, and Blossoming Vodka. For those who would opt for non-alcoholic drinks, they also have a lineup of refreshing teas and juices, including refreshments with their Never-ending refills.
To cap off your meal at the Olive Garden, you can have a pick at their decadent desserts. Their Zeppoli or warm Italian doughnuts come with a rich chocolate sauce, while their Mango Cheesecake is a luscious slice of cheesecake with the added indulgence of mango sauce on top.
Mango Cheesecake
Whether you’re a patron when overseas, or a new customer curious about what this Italian restaurant has to offer, you can finally dine and give it a try at Olive Garden in Manila starting Monday, September 12. Located on the 2nd floor of the South Entertainment Mall at the SM Mall of Asia, Olive Garden is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
For more information and updates, follow Olive Garden Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
The Max Original series, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin has been renewed for a second season. Co-created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring, the ten-episode first season, which debuted in July of this year, is currently available to stream on HBO GO.
From Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin has been called “one of the best horror TV shows of the past two decades” by Bloody Disgusting and Collider has praised it as “incredibly thrilling and exciting.” Variety says, “It quickly asserts itself as a visceral nightmare of a teen slasher” and The Wrap notes the show’s “greatest strength, outside of the casting and characterization: it wears its horror roots on its sleeve.”
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max quote: “We are so proud of the incredible response both critically and from fans that Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin has received. Viewers have embraced our new generation of Liars, and Roberto and Lindsay’s brilliantly dark, horror-fueled take on this iconic franchise. Along with Alloy and Warner Bros. Television, we are thrilled to continue the Pretty Little Liars legacy.”
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring quote: “We are beyond excited to continue telling stories with our amazing group of little liars — exploring their friendships, their romances, their secrets, and their status as scream queens supreme! Eternal thanks to the fans who have embraced this new, horror-version of Pretty Little Liars — which we’ll be continuing, of course — as well as our partners at HBO Max, Warner Bros. Television, and Alloy Entertainment. As Tabby would say, “There’s a sequel in the offing!”
Season 1: Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. Now, in present day, a disparate group of teen girls — a brand-new set of Little Liars — find themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant and made to pay for the secret sin committed by their parents two decades ago…as well as their own. In the dark, coming-of-age, horror-tinged drama Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, we find ourselves miles away from Rosewood, but within the existing Pretty Little Liars universe — in a brand-new town, with a new generation of Little Liars.
Season 1 cast: Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, Maia Reficco, Mallory Bechtel, Sharon Leal, Elena Goode, Eric Johnson, Alex Aiono and Lea Salonga.
Season 1 credits:Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin is from executive producer/writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and co-executive producer/writer Lindsay Calhoon Bring (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). The series is produced by Aguirre-Sacasa’s Muckle Man Productions and Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries) in association with Warner Bros. Television. I. Marlene King (who developed the original Pretty Little Liars), Michael Grassi, Caroline Baron, and Alloy’s Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo are also executive producers of the series, which is based upon Alloy’s bestselling series of books by Sara Shepard. Jimmy Gibbons serves as a producer for Muckle Man Productions.
Stream or download Season 1 of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin on HBO GO. All seven seasons of the original Pretty Little Liars are also available on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
From New Line Cinema, Dwayne Johnson stars in the action adventure “Black Adam.” The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the DC Super Hero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”).
Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
Poster Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Johnson stars alongside Aldis Hodge (“City on a Hill,” “One Night in Miami”) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (“Sex/Life,” “Rush Hour 3”) as Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express,” “The Mummy”) as Ishmael, Quintessa Swindell (“Voyagers,” “Trinkets”) as Cyclone, Bodhi Sabongui (“A Million Little Things”) as Amon, and Pierce Brosnan (the “Mamma Mia!” and James Bond franchises) as Dr. Fate.
Collet-Serra directed from a screenplay by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, screen story by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, based on characters from DC. Black Adam was created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. The film’s producers were Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia, with Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Eric McLeod, Geoff Johns and Scott Sheldon
“Black Adam” smashes into theaters and IMAX in the Philippines beginning 19 October 2022. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #BlackAdam
From Working Title, producer of unforgettable and iconic blockbuster rom-coms like Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, Ticket to Paradise is et to bring back those “feels” that had left the audience eager to re-experience the collective excitement of watching a love story in a cinema.
“The world had completely changed when the pandemic hit. I thought about what I wanted to write and work on next, and I landed on writing something that would make people happy—something joyous and optimistic. Romantic comedies bring a large audience together to collectively laugh with each other, and after a few tough years, that seemed like a beautiful thing to bring to the big screen,” shared director Ol Parker.
(from left) David (George Clooney) and Georgia (Julia Roberts) in Ticket to Paradise, directed by Ol Parker. (Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)
It was rich comedic material for Clooney and Roberts to mine, and luckily, they both saw its potential. “Julia and I weren’t actively looking for a project to do together, but, of course, it was easy to say yes to a chance to work on another project with her,” Clooney says. “Ol Parker sent the script to both of us at the same time and said that he had written the parts for Julia and me. So, right after I read it, I called Julia and told her, ‘I’ll do it if you do it,’ and she said, ‘Well, I’ll do it if you will.’ And not long after that, we were heading to Australia.”
Roberts and Clooney’s history and friendship goes way back, and that friendship comes across in their work. “George and I have always had a good chemistry as friends,” Roberts says. “We approach our work in similar ways as well. I think we also get a lot of joy out of making each other laugh. So, each day was like a search for me to find how I could make George laugh. We both take an immense amount of care in creating an environment where people feel creative and happy at work. It brings out the best in everyone.”
(from left) Wren (Billie Lourd, back to camera), Gede (Maxime Bouttier) and Lily (Kaitlyn Dever) in Ticket to Paradise (Universal Pictures)
Although Ticket to Paradise is principally a comedy, it touches on deeper, universal themes of love, regret and the complex emotions of parenting children as they take their first real steps into adulthood. Unlike most romantic comedies, which are primarily about people in their 20s or early 30s, the film explores love, in all its permutations, and about the sweet surprise of second chances.
Ticket to Paradise opens on October 5 in local cinemas nationwide from Universal Pictures International.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) flagship film festival, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), returns to the big screen this year featuring award-winning classic films of the new National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts. The films will be screened for free in TriNoma Cinema in Quezon City and in all Cinematheques Centres nationwide (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao, and Nabunturan) from September 9 to 23.
In line with the month-long celebration of Philippine Film Industry Month this September which aims to recognize the invaluable achievements of all the stakeholders and sectors of the industry, this year’s PPP Classics section consists of films of the three new National Artists for Film: actress Nora Aunor, screenwriter Ricky Lee, and late director Marilou Diaz-Abaya.
Newly-restored film Atsay by Eddie Garcia and Tatlong TaongWalang Diyos by Mario O’Hara, starring “Superstar” Nora Aunor, will have their gala premiere on September 9 in TriNoma Cinema. National Artist Aunor won the Gawad Urian Best Actress awards for Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos in 1977 and Garcia’s Atsay bagged the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) – Best Film award in 1978.
Notable films written by award-winning screenwriter Ricky Lee, Cain at Abel and Gumapang Ka sa Lusak by Lino Brocka, will be screened on September 14. Cain at Abel received the FAMAS Awards Best Picture in 1983, while Gumapang Ka sa Lusak bagged the Best Picture award in Gawad Urian in the same year.
Feature films Brutal and Karnal from the “trilogy” of multi-awarded director Marilou Diaz-Abaya will have their public screening on September 15. Diaz-Abaya bagged the MMFF Best Director award for her film Brutal in 1980 and the MMFF Best Picture prize for Karnal in 1983.
The annual PPP will also be returning to offer fresh perspectives from the youth and the regions, featuring the finalists from Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Festival and Sine Isla: LuzViMinda Short Film Competition. PPP Classics will be screened together with the Sine Kabataan and Sine Isla short films starting September 17 to 24 in all Cinematheques Centres (Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Negros and Nabunturan).
The PPP Classics lineup is supported by Solar Films, ABS-CBN’s Sagip Pelikula, and Viva Films.
For more information and updates on PPP 6, follow their official page on Facebook.
