Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (film) explained

Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan
Director:Chito S. Roño
Story:Bob Ong
Producer:Kriz G. Gazmen
Starring:
Cinematography:Eli Balce
Editing:Carlo Francisco Manatad
Music:Andrew Florentino
Studio:
Distributor:
Runtime:113 minutes
Country:Philippines
Language:Filipino

Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (lit. Mama Susan's Friends) is a 2023 Philippine horror thriller film based on Bob Ong's 2010 mystery novel of the same name directed by Chito S. Roño and written by Bob Ong. It stars Joshua Garcia and Angie Ferro in her last film as she died on August 17, 2023.[1] [2]

Plot

The story follows the life of Gilberto "Galo" Manansala, a student from Manila, through his journal entries supposedly as a project for school. In his notes, Galo chose to chronicle the creepy experiences he felt in his grandmother's house. His grandmother whom he calls Mama Susan.

The horror began when Galo returned to their province to look after his Mama Susan. As his curiosity grew, he started seeing weird things and hearing creepy footsteps.

Together with kids Niko and Jezel, Galo begins to uncover the secrets surrounding their community and his grandmother's role in the cult.

Cast

Extended

Production

In March 2016, a possible film adaptation of the book had been teased on Bob Ong's Facebook page. On February 6, 2020, it was announced that the book will finally be adapted into film, starring Joshua Garcia as Galo, which will be directed by Chito S. Roño and will be co-produced by Black Sheep Productions and Regal Entertainment.[7]

Filming

The shooting was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and was resumed on June 20, 2020, after the cast and crew went in self-quarantine. The film was shot in Magalang, Pampanga.[8]

Release

The film was released on May 18, 2023, on Amazon Prime Video.[9] It was previously set on December 25, 2020 as official entry of 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival

Reception

Lé Baltar of Rappler gave the film a negative review and wrote: If there is anything that the film gets right, it's the point that adopting a written work for the screen, no matter how rich and potent, takes a lot more than being well versed in the original material.[10]

Carlos Pineda of Spin.ph criticize the execution of the film and he said: Overall, Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan tries to creatively bring something new into the horror mystery genre, but ends up looking lost in terms of execution. Looking back, I reflected if the film's obsession with audience interpretation was the best method given that some of the narratives weren't really fleshed out.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Atilano . Joseph R. . May 14, 2023 . 'Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan': From Book to a Regal Movie . September 19, 2023 . Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  2. News: Veteran actress Angie Ferro dies at 86 . ABS-CBN News . August 17, 2023.
  3. Web site: LOOK: Joshua Garcia joins cast of Bob Ong's 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' . Inquirer . 11 February 2020 . 18 December 2020.
  4. Web site: Gabinete . Jojo . May 18, 2023 . Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan, posibleng huling pelikula na ng veteran actress na si Angie Ferro . September 19, 2023 . PEP.ph.
  5. Web site: Chua . EJ . May 15, 2023 . Kelvin Miranda, mapapanood sa mystery film na 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' . September 19, 2023 . GMA Network.
  6. Web site: April 14, 2023 . BREAKING: Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan Is Set To Premiere This May On Prime Video – #MamaSusanOnPrimeVideo . September 20, 2023 . Regal Entertainment.
  7. News: Another Bob Ong novel makes it to big screen. CNN Philippines. February 6, 2020. February 6, 2020. July 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200714215735/https://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2020/2/6/bob-ong-novel-movie-adaptation.html. dead.
  8. Web site: Lalin . Jun . June 8, 2020 . Joshua, Sasabak na sa new normal shooting! . September 19, 2023 . The Philippine Star.
  9. Web site: Rodriguez III . Feliciano . May 3, 2023 . 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' out this May . Manila Bulletin.
  10. Web site: Baltar . Lé . May 22, 2023 . 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' review: An adaptation that bites off more than it can chew . September 19, 2023 . Rappler.
  11. Web site: Pineda . Carlos . May 27, 2023 . REVIEW: 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' struggles in terms of execution . October 11, 2023 . Spin.ph.