Period drama Culion follows a long line of “passion projects” that have been released in 2019 and the previous years. And for talent manager and producer Shandii Bacolod, this project deserves to be seen by a wide audience.
“We are passionate about this film because it is a story that has never been told especially commercially,” Bacolod said in a previous interview.
Like a good “passion project,” Culion resonates beyond a good story. The big-screen project is one of those movies where you can feel the personal touch of the people behind it.
“People should watch it because it is our story. Kwento ito ng mga Pinoy. Kwento ito ng bansa natin. It is a “passion project” that started two years ago and our inclusion at MMFF is already a huge victory for the team,” Bacolod added.
Written by Ricky Lee and directed by Alvin Yapan with cinematography by Neil Daza, Culion follows the story of three best friends who are afflicted by a then incurable disease known as Leprosy or Hansen’s Disease. Set in 1940 Culion, a former leprosarium in Palawan that is now a flourishing municipality, the film recounts some of the historical island’s untold stories and hopes to deliver a very important message to us all.
Lead star Iza Calzado agrees that Culion is more than just a film project saying that it is a story of unity, hope, and love.
“Its theme is timeless. It’s a kind of story where after you watch it, you can think, or it could change your perspective in a positive way, in a better way,” she told reporters during a kickoff cast party held at the Christmas Village located at the Water Garden of Filinvest Festival Mall.
“When you believe in the material enough, you know also you’ll play a big part in it, and not just in front of the camera,” she added.
The kickoff cast party was in partnership with Filinvest City Lights of Wonder. VIP Media and the general public were invited and enjoyed a mini-program presented by the whole cast and production of the film.
Special games, media interviews, and cast engagement took place. This was culminated by the
Christmas Light Show that served as a perfect backdrop for the event, which also included a Christmas Light Show with a magnificent 42-foot tree lit up at the Magical Christmas Village until Dec. 31.
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Culion premiered on Christmas Day as an official entry to the 45th edition of Metro Manila Film Festival. It also stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Meryll Soriano, and Joem Bascon, with a special cameo of John Lloyd Cruz.
