| Director | Brillante Mendoza |
|---|---|
| Studio | Center Stage Productions |
| Released | October 2022 (BIFF); April 8, 2023 (Philippines) |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Kapampangan |
Apag (lit. 'Dining table'; Feast) is a 2022 Philippine drama film directed by Brillante Mendoza.[1]
Premise
Kapampangan restaurateur Rafael Tuazon (Coco Martin) who was making preparations for a feast, finds himself in a fatal vehicular accident which took the life of a tricycle driver (Matias). His father Alfredo Tuazon (Lito Lapid) takes a fall for the crime to save his son from legal repercussions. Rafael, free but overcome by guilt, tries to make amends to Nita (Gladys Reyes), the widow of the driver.[1]
Cast
- Coco Martin as Rafael Tuazon
- Lito Lapid as Alfredo Tuazon
- Gladys Reyes as Nita
- Jaclyn Jose as Elise Tuazon
- Gina Pareño as Lola Adela
- Julio Diaz as Manong Felix
- Ronwaldo Martin as NogNog
- Joseph Marco as Marco
Other cast members include Shaina Magdayao, Mark Lapid, Vince Rillon and Joseph Marco.[1] Aljur Abrenica was to play Rafael Tuazon, but was replaced by Martin after Abrenica withdrew from the film project.[2]
Production
Apag was produced by Center Stage Productions with Brillante Mendoza as its director and Arianna Martinez as its screenplay writer. The film was partially financed by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, which stipulated that Mendoza produce a film which does not feature sex, violence, or politics – a usual element of Mendoza's previous films.[3]
The name of the film, Apag comes from the shorthand of "Hapag Kainan" or Dinner Table.[4] The film is a homage to Mendoza's Kapampangan roots, using a strictly Pampangueno cast and was film in the Kapampangan language.[3]
Mendoza created an alternative ending for the film following the suggestion of lead actor Coco Martin. The new ending, was described as a somewhat violent conclusion compared to the original's usual happy ending. It was made to be compliant with the submission requirements for the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival. The film unaltered is ineligible for entry due to having already screened in various international film festivals by that time.[5]
Release
Apag was released internationally as Feast. It premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2022.[6] From 2022 to 2023 was showcased in various international film festivals such as the Warsaw Film Festival, World Film Festival of Bangkok, Vesoul International Film Festival, and the Asian Film Festival in South Korea.[3]
The film screened in cinemas across the Philippines as one of the eight official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival which began on April 8, 2023.[7] The 2023 MMSFF release featured an ending different than the one screened in previous international film festivals.[5]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Actress | Gladys Reyes | [8] | |
| Best Original Theme Song | Apag | ||||
| Best Float | Apag | ||||
| 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | July 22, 2024 | Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the Year | Albert Michael Idioma | [9] |
External links
- Apag at IMDb
References
- ^ Pineda, Rey (1 April 2023). "'Apag': another masterpiece of Direk Brillante Mendoza". Sunstar. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ Asis, Salve V. (30 March 2023). "Coco shocking ang summer, second choice ni direk Brillante sa Apag" [Coco's summer is shocking, second choice of director Brillante in Apag] (in Filipino). Pilipino Star Ngayon. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ Cuartero, Nestor (30 March 2023). "Brillante: Family drama, for a change, in 'Apag'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Brillante Mendoza lays out 'Apag' for summer film fest". The Manila Times. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ Salterio, Leah (8 April 2023). "Coco Martin suggested different ending for Brillante Mendoza's 'Apag'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
- ^ "Philippines Goes to Busan International Film Festival in South Korea". Philippine Information Agency. Film Development Council of the Philippines. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Eight official entries of 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival". Manila Bulletin. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Summer MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. April 11, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ Krishnan, Ganiel (July 22, 2024). "40th Star Awards for Movies celebrates decades of excellence in Philippine cinema". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.