Apag

Apag (lit. 'Dining table'; Feast) is a 2022 Philippine film directed by Brillante Mendoza.[1]

Feast
Theatrical release poster
KapampanganApag
Directed byBrillante Mendoza
Production
company
Center Stage Productions
Release dates
  • October 2022 (2022-10) (BIFF)
  • April 8, 2023 (2023-04-08) (Philippines)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageKapampangan

Premise

Kapampangan restaurateur Rafael Tuazon (Coco Martin) who was making preparations for a feast, finds himself in a fatal vehicular accident which took the life of a tricycle driver (Matias). His father Alfredo Tuazon (Lito Lapid) takes a fall for the crime to save his son from legal repercussions. Rafael, free but overcome by guilt, tries to make amends to Nita (Gladys Reyes), the widow of the driver.[1]

Cast

Other cast members include Jaclyn Jose, Gina Pareño, Julio Diaz, Shaina Magdayao, Mark Lapid, Vince Rillon and Joseph Marco.[1] Aljur Abrenica was to play Rafael Tuazon, but was replaced by Martin after Abrenica withdrew from the film project.[2]

Production

Apag was produced by Center Stage Productions with Brillante Mendoza as its director and Arianna Martinez as its screenplay writer. The film was partially financed by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, which stipulated that Mendoza produce a film which does not feature sex, violence, or politics – a usual element of Mendoza's previous films.[3]

The name of the film, Apag comes from the shorthand of "Hapag Kainan" or Dinner Table.[4] The film is a homage to Mendoza's Kapampangan roots, using a strictly Pampangueno cast and was film in the Kapampangan language.[3]

Mendoza created an alternative ending for the film following the suggestion of lead actor Coco Martin. The new ending, was described as a somewhat violent conclusion compared to the original's usual happy ending. It was made to be compliant with the submission requirements for the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival. The film unaltered is ineligible for entry due to having already screened in various international film festivals by that time.[5]

Release

Apag was released internationally as Feast. It premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2022.[6] From 2022 to 2023 was showcased in various international film festivals such as the Warsaw Film Festival, World Film Festival of Bangkok, Vesoul International Film Festival, and the Asian Film Festival in South Korea.[3]

The film screened in cinemas across the Philippines as one of the eight official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival which began on April 8, 2023.[7] The 2023 MMSFF release featured an ending different than the one screened in previous international film festivals.[5]

Accolades
Accolades received by Apag
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival April 11, 2023 Best Actress Gladys Reyes Won [8]
Best Original Theme Song Apag Won
Best Float Apag Nominated

References
  1. Pineda, Rey (April 1, 2023). "'Apag': another masterpiece of Direk Brillante Mendoza". Sunstar. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  2. Asis, Salve V. (March 30, 2023). "Coco shocking ang summer, second choice ni direk Brillante sa Apag" [Coco's summer is shocking, second choice of director Brillante in Apag]. Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  3. Cuartero, Nestor (March 30, 2023). "Brillante: Family drama, for a change, in 'Apag'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  4. "Brillante Mendoza lays out 'Apag' for summer film fest". The Manila Times. March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. Salterio, Leah (April 8, 2023). "Coco Martin suggested different ending for Brillante Mendoza's 'Apag'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  6. "Philippines Goes to Busan International Film Festival in South Korea". Film Development Council of the Philippines. Philippine Information Agency. October 11, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  7. "Eight official entries of 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival". Manila Bulletin. February 25, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  8. "FULL LIST: Winners, Summer MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. April 11, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
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