If there would that would stand out this year for the Metro Manila Film Festival is the inclusion of the film HONOR THY FATHER by Erik Matti. The film was also produced by its lead actor John Lloyd Cruz. The announcement of the film to be included in this year's roster was made in late October which surprised the public, and also gave a shorter time for marketing compared to the other entries.Honor Thy Father is unique by showing a spectrum of fathers in matriarchal inclined Filipino film industry. But mothers also play a great part on this movie that intensifies the scenes. It has also been ages since we seen a film made in the North, as we see not the tourist sites but the mountains, the mines, and the terrains that gives us a new feeling.
Honor Thy Father comes as a relief to film goers who prefer serous and meticulous movies that targets real social issues and would definitely make an impact in for the festival. But despite the great reviews it got with earlier screenings as a feature film in Cinema One Original Festival, the film cries fouls with initially the limited cinemas and some are pulling out the film to give the slot to the popular films. There is also the controversy with the disqualification from the Best Picture Award because of "non-disclosure" that did not comply to the regulation of the festival.
Despite the movie being disqualified in the best picture race, it bagged awards in the Festival for Best Original Song, Best Make-Up Artist (Ryan Panaligan & Erika Racela), Best Supporting Actor (Tirso Cruz III) Best Child Performer (Krystal Brimmer), and Best Director (Erik Matti). But due to the controversy, Erik Matti did not go to the awards night but sent a representative to read his statement as his acceptance speech.
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