The Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino is now a major film event in the country. Now on its third year, the PPP2019 carries the theme “Pamilya, Pagkakaibigan, Pag-ibig,” which will serve as the mantra of the week-long celebration of exclusive quality and diverse films from Sept. 13 to 19.
While the films follow the same concept, it’s evident that most of the entries were made to woo the younger audience.
Take Sue Ramirez and RK Bagatsing starrer Cuddle Weather or the one top-billed Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos, and Ben & Ben entitled LSS (Last Song Syndrome) for example. And we also have the “barkada” movie G! starring McCoy de Leon, Jameson Blake, Paulo Angeles, and Mark Oblea and I’m Ellenya L. with Maris Racal and Iñigo Pascual.
“This year’s PPP has a common theme but our film is not just the usual coming-of-age movie, we wanted to stay true to how the members of the young generation talk and react to things that surround them,” Director Dondon Santos told Manila Standard in an interview.
“It’s really the language, this is a seven-year-old concept but every year the language changes so we had updated the movie to fit the language the young people speak now,” Santos added.
According to the director, the film, which is under Cineko Productions, is a movie for the millennials and Gen Z.
“It’s their bucket list. We interviewed people, young people to craft the story,” he affirmed.
It follows the story of a cancer-stricken guy determined to tick off all the items on his bucket list with a group of friends, including having sex for the first time.
“Sex is something very universal. And we wanted to play around the idea of how young people talk about it these days, or how they deal with it for the first time,” Santos shared.
Meanwhile, another young adult movie is making a lot of buzz of late. I’m Ellenya L., like what its stars say about the movie, “it’s very much now, it’s very relevant.”
“Everyone will get to enjoy the movie. This is not just for the millennials. It’s also for the younger and older generations, the Gen X and Gen Z. At its core, I’m Ellenya L. is a story about family, love, and embracing your real self,” Maris Racal told Manila Standard in an interview.
In the movie, Maris is Ellenya Lakampati is a simple 21-year-old girl. Just like any millennial, she exemplifies every stereotype of her generation.
“Her whole lifestyle revolves around social media and trying to be famous. She would do whatever it takes to be the next online sensation,” Maris said of her character.
Ellenya lives with her loving and supportive father, Daddy Toots, who is a musician, and her conservative and traditional grandmother, Lola Madz. Ellenya’s best friend, Peng, lives next door. He’s a talented photographer, who is wary of the image she portrays online.
Produced by Spring Films, N2 Productions and Cobalt Entertainment, I’m Ellenya L. also marks the directorial debut of comedian Boy 2 Quizon.