Culion (film)

Culion is a 2019 historical drama film directed by Alvin Yapan, starring Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Meryll Soriano.[1][2] Set in the 1940s, it tells the story of three women seeking a cure of leprosy. The name derives from the eponymous island in Palawan once known as a major leper colony.

Culion
Theatrical poster
Directed byAlvin Yapan
Screenplay byRicky Lee
Produced byMark Shandii Bacolod
Starring
CinematographyNeil Daza
Edited byMai Dionisio
Music by
  • Hiroko Nagai
  • Harold Andre Cruz Santos
Production
companies
Distributed byCine Screen
Release dates
  • December 14, 2019 (2019-12-14) (Culion, Palawan)
  • December 25, 2019 (2019-12-25) (MMFF)
Running time
136 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Synopsis

Three women afflicted with leprosy live a life of stigmatization in Culion at a time when the disease is considered a life sentence.[3]

Cast

Main cast

Special guest appearance

Supporting cast
  • Joel Saracho as Father Salvino
  • Nico Locco as Fred
  • Simon Ibarra as Dr. Cuevas
  • Lee O'Brian as Colony Chief
  • Mayen Estañero as Azon
  • VJ Mendoza as Kulas
  • Mai Fanglayan as Mabel
  • Mercedes Cabral
  • Upeng Fernandez as Donya
  • Aaron Concepcion as Miguel
  • Denise Nayve as Osang
  • DMS Boongaling as Goryo
  • Elisa Weber as Sister Yvette
  • Elle Velasco as Malou
  • Erlinda Villalobos as Elena
  • Jack Love Falcis as Nune
  • Jaepheth Cortez as Pining
  • Jai Astor as Juana
  • Jay Garcia as Tonyo
  • Luminita Gamboa as Sister Cicelle
  • Marcus Dreeke as Jesuit Priest
  • Nikko Delos Santos as Amado
  • Raflesia Bravo as Soledad
  • Rex Lantano as Dado
  • Roven Alejandro as Paeng
  • Ruth Alferez as Milagros
  • Tommy Roca as Henry
  • Yam Mercado as Badong
  • Earl Andrew Figueroa as Ding

Production

Culion was produced under iOptions Ventures Corp. which is owned by Palawan-based businesspersons Peter and Gilie Sing. The film is the first produced by the production studio.[5] Culion was directed by Alvin Yapan with the script made by Ricky Lee, the cinematography by Neil Daza, and the production by Mark Shandii Bacolod.[6]

The production team sought consent from the local leaders and residents of Culion to produce their film on the island and promised to have the film screened first on the island. They also secured an endorsement from Dr. Arturo Cunanan Jr., head of the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, and Virginia de Vera, the town's mayor. Filming took two weeks with a crew of about 150 people.[7]

Release

The film had its world premiere at Culion, Palawan on December 14, 2019, in honor of the island's past.[7] It had a wider release on December 25, 2019 as one of the eight entries of the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival.[1]

Reception

Accolades
Year Award / Film Festival Category Recipient(s) Result Ref
2019 45th Metro Manila Film Festival Special Jury Prize (cast) Culion Won [8]
MMFF Hall of Fame Awards Best Screenplay/Story Ricky Lee Won
2020 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards Best Heritage Film Culion Won [9]
Best Actress Iza Calzado Won
Best Supporting Actor Mike Liwag Won
Best Supporting Actress Suzette Ranillo Won
Best Director Alvin Yapan Won

See also

References
  1. Garcia, Ma. Angelica (October 16, 2019). "MMFF 2019: the full movie lineup". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on 2019-11-16. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  2. "MMFF 2019 entries announced". CNN Philippines. October 16, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  3. Tabanera, Lily Grace (October 2, 2019). "What You Need To Know About John Lloyd Cruz's Intriguing Comeback Film, 'Culion'". Cosmopolitan Philippines. Archived from the original on 2019-12-26. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  4. "WATCH: John Lloyd Cruz makes acting comeback in 'Culion'". ABS-CBN News. September 30, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-09-30. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  5. "Culion in Christmas". BusinessWorld. 25 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  6. "Culion the movie and SMB". BusinessWorld. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  7. Silvestre, Edmund (December 6, 2019). "MMFF entry 'Culion' to mount red carpet world premiere in Culion, Palawan". Sunstar Manila. Archived from the original on 2019-12-06. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  8. "'Mindanao' dominates MMFF 2019 awards night: Complete list of winners". ABS-CBN News. December 27, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-12-27. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  9. "'Quezon's Game' wins big at 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards". ABS-CBN News. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
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