Filipinos across the Middle East can look forward to an exciting start to the new year as three highly anticipated entries from the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 will be screened in cinemas throughout the region this January 2025. In a piece of information shared with The Global Filipino Magazine by Viva Middle East, the featured films are The Kingdom, Hold Me Close, and Uninvited—a diverse lineup that highlights the richness of Filipino storytelling across various genres.
Directed by Michael Tuviera, The Kingdom is an action-family drama that transports viewers to the Kingdom of Kalayaan, an alternate version of the Philippines untouched by colonization. The film explores themes of heritage and power dynamics within its fictionalized realm. Featuring an all-star cast led by Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual, The Kingdom promises a cinematic spectacle filled with adventure and poignant moments that resonate with families.
For fans of romance and fantasy, Jason Paul Laxamana’s Hold Me Close is a captivating addition to the festival’s lineup. Starring Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino, the film tells the enchanting story of Woody, a drifter who arrives in a quaint Japanese town and crosses paths with Lynlyn, a young woman gifted with a unique ability to perceive whether people will bring joy or harm into her life through touch. The heartfelt narrative and dreamlike visuals make Hold Me Close a must-watch for romantics.
Dan Villegas’ Uninvited takes audiences into the dark depths of vengeance and suspense. Starring Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, and Nadine Lustre, the film follows Eva Candelaria, who crashes the birthday party of the man she holds responsible for her daughter’s death a decade ago. The thrilling storyline and powerhouse performances ensure a gripping cinematic experience.
These films are among the ten official entries in the MMFF 2024, which runs in the Philippines from December 25, 2024, to January 7, 2025. Marking its golden anniversary with the theme Sinesigla sa Singkwenta, the festival celebrates the evolution and vibrancy of Filipino cinema.
