Apag Explained

Feast
Native Name:
Director:Brillante Mendoza
Studio:Center Stage Productions
Country:Philippines
Language:Kapampangan

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

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

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
2023 Metro Manila Summer Film FestivalApril 11, 2023Best Actress Gladys Reyes[8]
Best Original Theme SongApag
Best Float Apag
40th PMPC Star Awards for MoviesJuly 22, 2024Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the YearAlbert Michael Idioma[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Pineda . Rey . 'Apag': another masterpiece of Direk Brillante Mendoza . 1 April 2023 . Sunstar . 1 April 2023 . en.
  2. News: Asis . Salve V. . Coco shocking ang summer, second choice ni direk Brillante sa Apag. Coco's summer is shocking, second choice of director Brillante in Apag . 1 April 2023 . Pilipino Star Ngayon . 30 March 2023 . fil.
  3. News: Cuartero . Nestor . Brillante: Family drama, for a change, in 'Apag' . 1 April 2023 . Manila Bulletin . 30 March 2023 . en.
  4. News: Brillante Mendoza lays out 'Apag' for summer film fest . 1 April 2023 . The Manila Times . 22 March 2023 . en.
  5. News: Salterio . Leah . Coco Martin suggested different ending for Brillante Mendoza's 'Apag' . 8 April 2023 . ABS-CBN News . 8 April 2023.
  6. News: Philippines Goes to Busan International Film Festival in South Korea . 1 April 2023 . Philippine Information Agency . Film Development Council of the Philippines . 11 October 2022.
  7. News: Eight official entries of 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival . 1 April 2023 . Manila Bulletin . 25 February 2023 . en.
  8. Web site: April 11, 2023 . FULL LIST: Winners, Summer MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal . September 25, 2023 . Rappler.
  9. News: Krishnan . Ganiel . 40th Star Awards for Movies celebrates decades of excellence in Philippine cinema . . July 22, 2024 . July 24, 2024.