It may have been pulled out from more than 20 theaters early this week, but plot twist had shaken things up for ‘Ang Larawan.’
Theater owners who pulled out the screen-to-script musical have now returned the film to their huge screens.
“Ang Larawan” has redeemed itself as it is now back to 13 theaters as of December 28. It can be viewed again at Ayala Malls Feliz Pasig, Ayala Malls The 30th, Lucky Chinatown, Newport Resorts World, Robinsons Manila, SM Aura, SM BF, SM Southmall, SM Sta. Mesa, Southwoods Laguna, Starmall Alabang, Vista Mall Bataan, and Vista Mall Daang Hari.
Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2017 Best Actress Joanna Ampil, who portrayed Candida in the script-to-screenplay musical, said she is “ecstatic.”
“Now that we’ve won several awards, I hope that it will remain and it will hopefully stay there for a long time and more people will get to see it,” Joanna was quoted as a saying in a CNN Philippines’ New Day on Thursday.
Joanna said “Ang Larawan,” which was set in 1941 just before World War II in Intramuros, is a worth-watching film for moviegoers who have great respect for production value.
“I know mediocrity was not in the vocabulary when this movie was made. It’s really on its tip-top form and everyone just put their heart and soul into it, and there’s love for the arts, more than anything,” the Best Actress said.
“Ang Larawan” tells the struggle of the two daughters of a prominent painter who must decide whether to keep or sell his last self-portrait to repay their debt. The film starring Rachel Alejandro, Joanna Ampil, and Paulo Avelino, is an official MMFF 2017 entry.
Days before the awards night on Wednesday, “Ang Larawan” was withdrawn from at least 26 theaters nationwide two days after it was shown on December 25, Christmas Day.
However, the musical film proved its worth through bagging six recognitions during the awards night. Aside from Joanna being the Best Actress, “Ang Larawan” also won the Best Picture; a Special Jury (Posthumous) Award for Nick Joaquin, the author of the classic play “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” on which the film was based; the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award; Best Musical Score for Ryan Cayabyan; and Best Production Design.
The film’s stellar cast, mostly with theater backgrounds also highlighted Sandino Martin, Cris Villonco, Aicelle Santos, Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Robert Arevalo, Celeste Legaspi, Ogie Alacasid, and Zsazsa Padilla.
National Artist Rolando Tinio, translated Joaquin’s play from English to Filipino language and wrote the libretto. Award-winning director Loy Arcenas was also in-charged of the musical film.