Two Filipino movies with a message

 The Philippines has developed film making to the point where they can make films with meaning.  It takes skill and confidence to attempt films that may not have mass appeal.  One connection is that they share the same casting director, Danna Simbre.  She has 12 credits as casting director and 32 for additional crew including  "Barcelona: A Love Untold" (2016).

"Lola Igna" (2019) was a very unglamorous story.  An old lady who is first introduced to us as she is peeing into a chamber pot and then flushing down a toilet.  She gets a visitor, a grand daughter who tells her that she is in a contest for the oldest person in the world.  Not excited at all and in a few days becomes annoyed.  She actually looks forward to death to reunite with her dead husband.  Distant relatives come out.  One grand-daughter thought it was an opportunity to sell merchandise commemorating the honor for being the oldest.  A great grand son wants to vlog her and offers to teach her how to vlog.  Their relations provides a surprise (or two).  It does not end the way many of us might have anticipated.  

 Eduardo W. Roy Jr. was director, writer and executive producer.  He has 13 credits for writing, 11 for directing and 4 as additional crew.

 Andrew Florentino was responsible for the music.   He has 27 Composing credits,10  for the music department and 12 for soundtrack including "Isa Pa With Feelings" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/isa-pa-with-feelings-really-helps.html

 Tey Clamor was the cinematographer.  He has 43 credits for cinematography and 46 credits for the camera and electrical department and 9 for additional crew including "Barcelona: A Love Untold" (2016) and "Isa Pa with Feelings" (2019).

 Carlo Francisco Manatad was the editor.  He has 92 credits as production manager,  96 as editor and 34 or the editorial department.  

Angie Ferro plays the old Lola Igna.  She started acting in theatre in 1969.  Angie has 80 acting credits.

Yves Flores plays Tim, Lola's great grandson.  He is actually the grandson of Angie Ferro.  Yves has 21 acting credits.

Maria Isabel Lopez plays Nida, a relative who tried to merchandise the opportunity.  She was a national beauty pageant winner.  She has 125 credits including "Barcelona:  A Love Untold" (2016)

"Rewind" (2024)) is sort of a fantasy.  As very young children one couple seems destined for marriage and in fact they do and seem like a very loving couple.  But over the years the husband becomes a workaholic who is obsessed with an expected promotion which he doesn't get.  Before  too long he is driving with his wife and is so frustrated he is unable to cope with an unexpected car crossing his path and his wife dies.  He then realizes that he really does love her.  It might appear too late but he encounters an inconspicuous servant  who offers another chance.  There is a catch, although he can save the wife, someone has to die.  Not quite straight forward as we might assume.  You could assume there might be a happy ending but the husband goes through a few unexpected changes.  We all have to decide which is most important.  As of 2024 this is the highest grossing Filipino film.

A top crew and cast helped  provide credibility for "Rewind".  Here are some of them

Mae Czarina Cruz was the director.  She has 31 directing credits.

Enrico C. Santos wrote the script.  He has 44 writing credits, 139 for additional crew and 9 as production manager.

Cesar Francis Concio wrote the music.  He has 69 composing credits, 10 for music department and 7 for sound.

Neil Daza was the cinematographer.  He has 79 cinematography credits, 14 for the camera and electrical department and 3 as director including "Fan Girl" (2021).

Marya Ignacio was the editor.  She has 195 editorial credits, 34 editorial department and 41 credits for additional crew. 

 Dingdong Dantes played John, the hardworking husband.   His leading lady for many of his films was Marian Rivera who he eventually married.  As a couple they campaigned to release a suffering elephant from the Manila Zoo.  He has 86 acting credits, 7 for directing and 1 for assistant directors.

Marion Rivera played Mary, the wife who died in the first part of the film.  She has been a singer and dancer with popular albums.  She has appeared in numerous lists of the sexiest woman.  Marion with two children of her own has been an advocate for breastfeeding in public.  The government appointed as Ambassador for women and children with disabilities.  She has 62 acting credits and 2 as a producer.

Pepe Herrera played Lodz, the man who offered the life altering opportunity.  He graduated from univrsity with a degree in music.  He has 38 acting credits.

Both films are available on Netflix in a subtitled format.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the one link you should be able to determine if that particular film is worth following up.