Filipino thriller movie 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' in cinemas on Dec. 6

A FILM adaptation of the award-winning mystery novel "Smaller and Smaller Circles" written by F. H. Batacan is set to hit the big screen nationwide on December 6.

"Smaller and Smaller Circles" is about a serial killer at the Payatas dumpsite in Metro Manila who leaves the bodies of young boys in the dump as two Jesuit priests -- Father Gus Saenz (Nonie Buencamino) and Father Jerome Lucero (Sid Lucero) -- try to solve the murders.

Set in 1997, the movie tackles about impunity and injustice in the Philippines -- social issues that are still prevalent today.

The cast also includes Carla Humphries (as Joanna Bonifacio), Christopher de Leon (NBI Deputy Director Philip Mapa), Bembol Roco (NBI Director Francis Lastimosa), TJ Trinidad (Deputy Jake Valdez), Ricky Davao (Cardinal Meneses), Alex Medina (Carding), Raffy Tejada (Ben Arcinas), and Gladys Reyes (Councilor Mariano).

The film, directed by Raya Martin, is produced by Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment, and Artikulo Uno Productions, the team behind the renowned 2015 Filipino historical biopic film "Heneral Luna."

During the special screening of the film at the the University of San Carlos in Cebu City last week, viewers expressed excitement about the upcoming indie movie as well as the sequel of the novel, “The Weight of Sin."

“The ending scene (of the film) is part of the sequel that F.H. Batacan is writing,” De Mesa said, adding that a movie sequel is also possible if the film generates enough earnings.

"Smaller and Smaller Circles," published in 2002 by the University of the Philippines Press, won the Carlos Palanca grand prize for the English Novel in 1999, the National Book Award 2002 and Madrigal-Gonzalez Award 2003. (Erica Dancel, USC Communications intern/SunStar Philippines)

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