Today’s official closing film at Cinemaya 2019 is a feature based on real-life events that took place in 2009, when three tons of high-grade cocaine mysteriously wash up on the shores of a peaceful seaside community in Eastern Samar.
Entitled Mina-Anud, the provocative and socially relevant film stars 2018 MMFF Best Actor Dennis Trillo playing Ding, a local surfer who is lured into selling the cocaine bricks after his best friend Carlo (played by Jerald Napoles) discovers the price people are willing to pay for the illicit substance.
“With the increasing frequency of cocaine landing incidents in the country, it is also a timely and relevant film,” says director Kerwin Go who witnessed the events, which the film is based on, with his own eyes.
“‘It’s about an impoverished community where the characters succumb to the temptations of money and material stuff through illegal activity. It tells the story of people who resorted to illegal drug selling to earn instant cash and get a taste of luxuries of life, such as flat-screen televisions, motorcycles, cars, and jewelry,” he adds.
Meanwhile, lead actor Dennis believes that the movie itself would serve as a moving illustration of the rampant illegal activities bring to the community where they happen.
“Through this movie, the audience will not only be made aware of how illegal drugs enter the country through its back doors, but also make them realize that resorting to illegal activities bring negative consequences and that many innocent lives get affected,” Dennis said of the message that the film would like to convey.
“But don’t get me wrong. Although it’s a social commentary, it’s a feel-good movie. It’s a black comedy so it is not too heavy and is just easy to digest. And what’s good about the film is the cast, I also like it that I’m working with coactors who are naturally funny. We didn’t need to act happy,” the actor shared.
Rounding out the cast are Alvin Anson, Mara Lopez, Anthony Falcon, Marc Felix, Lou Veloso, Richard Manabat, Dionne Monsanto, Elia Ilano, Lui Manansala, and Luke Landrigan.
The film has been described as a refreshing combination of comedy, drama, action, with Pinoy surfing and beach culture thrown in the mix.
Mina-anud was produced by Bianca Balbuena-Liew, recipient of the 2017 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and FIAPF— International Federation of Film Producers Award in recognition of her strong contributions to the development of the Asia Pacific film industry.
Mina-Anud was a winner of the Basecamp Colour Prize for being one of the top two projects pitched at Singapore’s Southeast Asia Film Financing Forum in 2017.
The film will have its nationwide release, showing only in cinemas on Aug. 21.