Filipino film ‘Graceland’ screening in US

MANILA, Philippines – “Graceland,” an independent film by Filipino writer and director Ron Morales, is screening in several venues in the US this May.

1. May 2-9

• NEW YORK, NY – VILLAGE EAST CINEMA – villageeastcinema.com
• SAN DIEGO, CA – GASLAMP STADIUM – fandango.com/gaslampstadium_aaeet/theaterpage
• HONOLULU, HI – PERALRIDGE – consolidatedtheatres.com

2. May 3-9

• CHICAGO, IL – FACETS CINEMATHEQUE – facets.org/pages/cinematheque/cinematheque.php

3. May 10-16

• SPOKANE, WA – MAGIC LANTERN THEATRE – fandango.com/magiclanterntheatre_aaupr/theaterpage 

4. May 17-23

• SEATTLE, WA – THE GRAND ILLUSION – grandillusioncinema.org

5. May 31-June 6 

• PORTLAND, OR – HOLLYWOOD THEATER – hollywoodtheatre.org

The crime thriller starring Arnold Reyes, Menggie Corbarrubias, Dido de la Paz, Leon Miguel, and Ella Guevara was also featured in numerous international film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, Athens International Film Festival, and Hawaii International Film Festival.

“Graceland” is a suspenseful account of a father, Marlon Villar (Arnold Reyes), in a frantic hunt to rescue his daughter Elvie (Ella Guevara), who was mistakenly abducted.

The chaos begins when Marlon, longtime chauffer to corrupt politician Manuel Chango (Menggie Cobarrubias) is ambushed while driving both his and Chango’s daughter home from school. In the disarray of the abduction, armed men take Elvie instead of Chango’s daughter.

What follows is a dangerous battle not only against the kidnappers but also the twisted system of deceit and betrayal.

Morales first made a mark in the industry with his award-winning debut “Santa Mesa” starring Oscar-winner Melissa Leo.

His works delve deep into hard-hitting realities and human narratives all done in his distinct style.

He originally planned on doing a film about a community of Filipino shamans in the middle islands, but ended up creating “Graceland” after he repeatedly came across themes of kidnapping, child prostitution, and organ trafficking in his research.

“The world I set out to explore was rife with powerful and corrupting forces, and I wanted to show how these forces were enacted equally on everyone who experiences them,” Morales said in the “Graceland” website.

The dichotomy between the “good” and “bad” forces in society inspired him to create the film.

He explained, “Graceland is a story about one underdog who decides he wants to take something for himself, and what happens to him as a result.”

“My aim was to trace trajectories — of both the socially scientific and the narrative — to the point where they intersect. I wanted to make something that was substantial but at the same time naturalistic.”

Producers are looking to bring “Graceland” to the Philippines.

Watch the trailer here:

– Rappler.com