Philippine screen icon Hilda Koronel makes her return to cinema with the world premiere of Jun Robles Lana’s SISA, which has been selected for the Official Competition of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) this November.
Koronel, celebrated for her roles in Lino Brocka’s Insiang and Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, has been a leading figure in Philippine cinema for over four decades. She went on hiatus in 2012 after moving to Los Angeles and now returns to collaborate with acclaimed director Jun Robles Lana, whose award-winning films include Bwakaw, Barber’s Tales, and Die Beautiful.
Northern Europe’s largest film event, Tallinn Black Nights is an FIAPF-accredited “A-list” festival, ranking alongside Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. SISA’s selection in the Official Competition highlights both the film’s artistic merit and the global appeal of Filipino storytelling.
“Returning to Tallinn after his acclaimed About Us But Not About Us, Jun Robles Lana shifts from the intimate to the epic. With his signature emotional precision and a searing performance by Hilda Koronel, SISA is both a historical thriller and an urgent elegy,” said festival programmer Milani Perera.
For international audiences, Koronel is a living link to the golden age of Filipino social realism, with performances that have become landmarks in world cinema. SISA offers a new generation a chance to witness her enduring artistry through a story that blends local history with universal themes.
The film will have its world premiere on Nov. 20 at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn. Both Lana and Koronel are scheduled to attend the premiere and awards ceremony.
SISA was supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Film Philippines Office. It was produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films, Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, CMB Films, YayWati International, in association with Kidlat Entertainment.
