Firefly (2023 film) explained
| Firefly |
| Director: | Zig Madamba Dulay |
| Music: | Len Calvo |
| Cinematography: | Neil Daza |
| Editing: | Benjo Ferrer |
| Distributor: | GMA Pictures |
| Runtime: | 103 minutes |
| Country: | Philippines |
Firefly is a 2023 Philippine fantasy film written by Angeli Atienza and directed by Zig Dulay. The film stars Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell in his theatrical debut. It was one of the entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won as Best Picture.
Premise
Set in 1999,[1] Firefly is told from the perspective of an adult Tonton (Dingdong Dantes) who reminisces about his childhood.[2]
A ten-year old Tonton[1] (Euwenn Mikaell) goes on a search for the "Island of Fireflies", a mystical island he learned from Elay, his mother (Alessandra De Rossi) during bedtime stories.[3] [4] [5]
Cast
- Alessandra De Rossi as Mariela "Elay" Alvaro, Tonton's kind and late mother who introduced him the fireflies
- Euwenn Mikaell as Anthony "Tonton" Alvaro, a child who learns about a mystical island of fireflies
- Yayo Aguila as Carmen, a kind woman who joins the young Tonton in his journey.[8]
- Racquel Villavicencio as old Carmen
- Epy Quizon as Louie, husband of Carmen who also joins Tonton in his journey. [8]
- Cherry Pie Picache as Linda Alvaro, Tonton's protective aunt.[6]
- Lui Manansala as Old Linda
- Miguel Tanfelix as Billy, who also joined Tonton in his journey
- Ysabel Ortega as Erika, who also joined Tonton in his journey
- Bernadette Allyson-Estrada as adult Erika
- Kokoy de Santos as Romnick, son of Carmen and Louie
- Max Collins as Abby, a reporter covering Firefly who interviews Tonton at the National Children Book Awards
- Juancho Trivino as Tonton's Father
- Elle Villanueva as Magayon, the fairy Elay described in her map
- Marco Masa as Billy and Erika's son
Production
Firefly is a film by GMA Network produced under GMA Pictures and the GMA Public Affairs. Zig Dulay was the director, while Neil Daza served as the cinematographer.[9] Angeli Atienza was the writer.[10] Firefly is the first fictional feature film production of GMA Public Affairs, which is better known for producing documentaries.[9] Glaiza de Castro and child star Raphael Landicho were originally cast as the lead roles before de Rossi and Mikaell took over their respective roles.
Principal photography was finished by August 2023, with Metro Manila and Bicol serving as filming locations.[3]
Release
Firefly premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.[11]
Viva Films distributed Firefly in the United Arab Emirates (Al Ghurair Centre, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Al Ain) beginning January 17.
The film was an entry to the Metro Manila International Film Festival in TCL Chinese 6 theaters and Directors Guild of America Complex, Los Angeles, which took place from January 30 to February 2.[12]
In the Manila International Film Festival on February 3, 2024, in Hollywood, California, Firefly captured four awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Alessandra de Rossi, Best Screenplay for Angeli Atienza, and Best Director for Dulay. The Firefly team has an opportunity to create a US-based feature film co-produced by Birns & Sawyer with up to $100,000 worth of camera rental equipment. Its director Dulay, and screenwriter will each receive the latest version of Final Draft software, valued at $250.[13]
The film premiered at Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) on April 18 until April 26, 2024.[14]
In April 2024, GMA Public Affairs announced the launching of a storybook that was based on the film. Written by Augie Rivera, the scriptwriter, the storybook's illustrations were drawn by Aldy Aguirre, with watercolor and gouache.[15]
Accolades
Notes and References
- News: Policarpio . Allan . For Alessandra de Rossi, 'one take' is all it takes . 17 December 2023 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 23 October 2023 . en . December 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217081322/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/524088/for-alessandra-de-rossi-one-take-is-all-it-takes . live .
- News: Firefly' all set to light up the MMFF silver screen . 17 December 2023 . The Manila Times . 16 December 2023 . en . December 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217080627/https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/12/16/entertainment-lifestyle/show-times/firefly-all-set-to-light-up-the-mmff-silver-screen/1924398 . live .
- News: Eusebio . Aaron Brennt . First look at 'Firefly' movie as it wraps up taping . 9 December 2023 . GMA Entertainment . 29 August 2023 . en . December 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231220000820/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/18409/first-look-at-firefly-movie-as-it-wraps-up-taping/photo . live .
- News: Santiago . Ervin . Alessandra hindi nahirapang gumanap na nanay sa MMFF entry na 'Firefly', humugot sa mga alagang bird . Alessandra did not find portrayal in MMFF entry ‘Firefly’ difficult, drew inspiration from her pet birds . 9 December 2023 . Bandera . 25 October 2023 . fil . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209095917/https://bandera.inquirer.net/366252/alessandra-hindi-nahirapang-gumanap-na-nanay-sa-mmff-entry-na-firefly-humugot-sa-mga-alagang-bird . live .
- News: 'Firefly' unveils official movie poster . 9 December 2023 . GMA News . 22 November 2023 . en . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209100522/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/889220/firefly-unveils-official-movie-poster/story/ . live .
- News: Severino . Howie . 'Firefly' is a movie journey full of longing . 17 December 2023 . GMA News . 16 December 2023 . en . December 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217082710/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/891534/firefly-is-a-movie-journey-full-of-longing/story/ . live .
- News: Songco . Pauline . Four cities, 10 entries: MMFF 2023 Parade of Stars draws overflow crowd . 17 December 2023 . Daily Tribune . 16 December 2023 . December 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217082710/https://lifestyle.tribune.net.ph/four-cities-10-entries-mmff-2023-parade-of-stars-draws-overflow-crowd/ . live .
- News: Eusebio . Aaron Brennt . Yayo Aguila says her 'Firefly' character is 'different' from her previous roles . 17 December 2023 . GMA Entertainment . 15 December 2023 . en . December 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217082018/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/107976/yayo-aguila-says-her-firefly-character-is-different-from-her-previous-roles/story . live .
- News: Tomada . Nathalie . Firefly: How the MMFF underdog became the Best Picture of all . 29 December 2023 . The Philippine Star . 29 December 2023.
- News: Gabinete . Jojo . Alessandra de Rossi hindi nagsisisi sa desisyon na huwag nang gawin ang role na ito . Alessandra de Rossi does not regret decision not to accept these kind of roles . 9 December 2023 . PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. . 23 September 2023 . fil . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209095856/https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/176064/alessandra-de-rossi-no-kontrabida-roles-decision-a734-20230923 . live .
- News: MMFF expands lineup to 10, announces 6 new entries . 9 December 2023 . ABS-CBN News . 17 October 2023 . October 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231018120802/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/17/23/mmff-expands-lineup-to-10-announces-6-new-entries . live .
- Web site: Firefly:' Here's a list of UAE, California cinemas where you can watch MMFF 2023's Best Picture. Jade Veronique . Yap. . Jan 12, 2024 .
- Web site: 'Firefly' bags top awards at Manila International Film Festival in California. GMA Integrated News. February 3, 2024 .
- News: Yap . Jade Veronique . 'Firefly' lands on Beijing International Film Festival 2024 . . April 21, 2024 . April 22, 2024.
- News: Roque . Nika . The 'Firefly' storybook is now up for sale. May 31, 2024 . . April 5, 2024.
- News: Josiah . Antonio . LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners . . December 27, 2023 . December 28, 2023 . En.
- News: Here are the winners of the 2024 Manila International Film Festival's awards night . 25 February 2024 . Rappler . 3 February 2024.
