THE road trip adventure comedy film “Si Chedeng at Si Apple,” starring two of Philippine cinema’s veteran actresses: Gloria Diaz and Elizabeth Oropesa, joins Cine Lokal, which is celebrating diversity and pride this LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) month featuring award-winning movies shown on selected theaters starting June 22.
Diaz and Oropesa reunite to give a fresh and fun narrative in this Cinema One Originals entry as part of the weeklong “PelikuLAYA sa Cine Lokal: An LGBT Film Festival,” led by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with different LGBTQ organizations. The 1969 Miss Universe first teamed up with La Oropesa, 1999’s grand slam best actress, in “Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa” in 1974.
Their exceptional tandem takes moviegoers to a new adventure that centers on friendship, self-discovery and finding true love.
“Si Chedeng At Si Apple” is directed by young filmmakers Fatrick Tabada and Rae Red, best known as the screenwriter of the award-winning films “Patay Na Si Hesus” and “Birdshot,” respectively.
Tabada is a Cebuano.
“It’s about freedom from whatever you need to unshackle yourself from, taking control of your own life, (and) learning to fight for what you want.” shared its directors. The story, they said, aims to depict that “coming out shouldn’t be gloomy and bleak.”
The movie had its international premiere at Europe’s largest filmfest dedicated to Asian cinema—the 20th Far East Film Festival—held in Udine, Italy last April, and was also recently shown in Seattle International Film Festival.
It will also be screened at Frameline’s 2018 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, which officially opened yesterday.
The film’s lead actresses, Diaz and Oropesa, got best actress nominations at the Gawad Urian 2018. Diaz was also nominated for best actress at the 66th Filipino Academy of Motion Arts and Science Awards.
Cine Lokal will run from June 22 to 28. (PR)