After a very successful run at the two-week MMFF where it screened to sold-out audiences, the Filipino musical based on Nick Joaquin’s play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino is currently enjoying a third-week extension in several cinemas. Its theatrical run in the US began on Jan. 12, while several organizations and schools are set to hold several block screenings of the movie in the next few weeks.
Before the culmination of the MMFF screening, the people behind the film released a statement in Filipino on the Ang Larawan The Movie Facebook page to thank everyone involved in their passion project. The statement said, “The journey that Ang Larawan took has not been easy. Every step was filled with challenges… Thankfully, many friends shared their talents, time, and financial resources to complete and bring the film to the market.”
As the makers expressed gratitude for the production team, cast, crew, suppliers, the MMFF, cinemas, journalists, bloggers and the audience for their patronage, they also pledged to keep bringing the film to a wider audience as part of their mission to promote the beauty of Filipino culture.
Ang Larawan opened in in the US on Jan. 12, in Milpitas, San Bruno, Daly City, Union City, Vallejo, San Francisco, Orange, Carson, City of Industry, National City, and Burbank in California; Elizabeth in New Jersey; Woodridge in Illinois; New York; and Las Vegas in Nevada. The film is subtitled in English. The US screenings are being presented in co-operation with ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC).
Other screenings include a Jan. 24 presentation at Cinema Centenario on Maginhawa Street, in Quezon City, with actress-producer Celeste Legaspi as special guest; and a Feb. 5 double feature with MMFF 2016 Best Picture Sunday Beauty Queen at the UP Film Center Cine Adarna.
Culturtain Musicat Productions, the independent production company behind Ang Larawan invites organizations and schools to organize screenings of the film to be held at either their respective venues or even in the cinemas— as a special event or a fundraiser. Stars and makers of the film can grace these special screening for meet-and-greet and also to answer questions during the post-screening open forums.