Saturday, November 26th 3:30 pm

Philippines, 2022, 85 min

Language
Filipino with English subtitles

Content Warning
Violence

Director
Martika Ramirez Escobar

Writer
Martika Ramirez Escobar

Producers
Armi Rae Cacanindin, Quark Henares

Cast
Sheila Francisco, Bong Cabrera, Rocky Salumbides

Preceded by the short film

Hubbards
Kevin Ralston, 5 mins, USA
The touching story of a man searching for his brother’s bones.

 

Once upon a time Leonor (Sheila Francisco) was a celebrated Filipino action film director, but that was before the death of her oldest son Ronwaldo and the divorce from her then actor husband. Now struggling to pay the bills she happens upon a newspaper ad looking for screenplays and sets out to complete a long unfinished script about a noble young man who must avenge his brother’s death. When a neighbour’s argument sends a TV set crashing down on her head, leaving her in a coma, Leonor finds herself in her own script, and free to guide her characters to a thrilling climax.

Combining the meta-fantasy of a ‘film within a film’ with family melodrama, surreal comedy, and the one-two punch of ‘80s action tropes, director Martika Ramirez Escobar has crafted a truly unique love letter to the art and pain of filmmaking, and that experience we all need sometimes to kick us out of a rut and back into the warm embrace of what we love to do. Endlessly charming and chock full of the best kind of cheesy action, LEONOR WILL NEVER DIE will have film fans dancing in the aisles, especially when that musical number kicks in!


“Inspiring and uplifting in equal amounts, Harvey and Kummer’s fangs-and-all documentary is, like its subject, one of a kind.”

“By the triumphant curtain call, as young Scott trots onstage for a very professional bow in full Xenomorph garb, it’s clear “Alien on Stage” has completely captured the hearts of the audience – film, theater, and Christopher Guest lovers alike.”

 “You will be giggling and laughing your way throughout as the cast flounce and flounder through a stage production like no other. It is absolutely glorious.”