Adela (2008 film)
Adela is a 2008 Filipino drama independent film starring the Philippine Screen Legend, Anita Linda. The film was a tribute for the award-winning film veteran which won Best Actress awards from the Gawad Tanglaw, 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival (Southeast Asia Film Competition) and Young Critics Circle for her portrayal of the titular character.[1][2][3]
| Adela | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr. |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | Ditoy Aguila |
| Cinematography | Albert Banzon |
| Edited by | Alex Castañeda |
Production company | Bicycle Pictures |
| Distributed by | Visit Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
The story of Adela, which takes place in the span of one day, is a heartbreaking story of a woman who longs for the company of her loved ones.
Synopsis
On her eightieth birthday, Adela prepares enough food to accommodate her children who all promised to be present during the occasion. She goes around the community and helps those who are in need. She tries to treat it like a normal day—doing her daily chores and duties but the widow can't hide her loneliness.
Adela has three children: an OFW who works in Qatar; a drug addict son (portrayed by Ricky Davao) who is currently in jail; and a daughter who works as a housemaid in Makati. They all fail to show up and greet her, prompting her to spend the day alone in Freedom Island, a bird sanctuary where mangroves are abundant.[4]
Plot
On her way home, Mercy (Angeli Bayani), heavily pregnant discovered her live-in partner PJ (Jason Abalos), is sleeping with her mistress (Cyra de la Cerna). To her dismay, she accidentally labored with the help of Aling Adela (Anita Linda), a former midwife. Celebrating her 80th birthday, Adela expects her children to come along with her grand children. On the other hand, PJ with the baranggay captain invited Aling Adela for a gathering to celebrate the birth of his baby and at the same time convince her to join the prayer rally for President Arroyo but in excuse she wants to have her day with her children. As she prepares to go to church, Benjo (Joem Bascon) came to sell a toaster and a cellphone charger. She then discovered her wedding ring was gone then went to a junk shop manager and found out that the appliances she bought are all stolen from Aling Glenda (Perla Bautista). She confronted the young snatcher and pleaded for her ring back but he won’t simply admit it. She simply went to church to pray and give thanks for this special day but she then saw the young snatchers activities. She also met her former co-league in the radio. There were chit-chats and Adela refuses to discuss how lonely her life is. Near the church, she also bought toys and decorations for her apos. She went also to the local prison to visit her son only to find out that her son is about to be convicted and be transferred in the Muntinglupa. She then decided to attend the PJ’s celebration with all the drinking and karaoke singing. While all the gang is singing “Luha”, she got a call from her daughter. It is unclear but based on the reaction of Adela, her daughter won’t be able to come. She went home, gave some pancit to her neighbour. She also went to the young snatcher’s mother and gave the appliance back only to discover an illicit love affair with a stud. As everyone went to the prayer rally, Adela silently went to the river shore and celebrated 80th birthday with an uncertain hope and much pain. The film ended with a disturbing scene where Adela went to a bush place and leaves the audience hanging what happened.[5]
Cast
- Main Cast
- Anita Linda as Adela Macaraig
- Joem Bascon as Benjo
- Jason Abalos as PJ
- Angeli Bayani as Mercy
- Supporting Cast
- Perla Bautista as Glenda
- Ricky Davao as Felipe Macaraig
- German Moreno as Himself
- Kenneth Ocampo as Joy
- Arnold Reyes as Jericho
- Zyra dela Cerna as PJ's mistress
- Iza Calzado as Tina
- Joy Napoles as Jona
- Armando Reyes as Larry
- Other Cast
- Neighbors
- Nick Olanka
- Aiza Santiago
- Rolly Palmes
- Jose Jonie Ocampo
- Maxie Evangelista
Responses
At The Cultural Center of the Philippines
Adolfo Alix Jr.'s Adela was the opening film of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 20, 2008.[6]
Toronto International Film Festival
Adolfo Alix Jr. Adela has been invited to the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, which runs in the Canadian city Sept. 4 to 13. The news was relayed to Inquirer Entertainment by Alix, who added that his film will be included in the section called Contemporary World Cinema together with India's Firaaq, Thailand's In the Shadow of the Naga Phawat, Indonesia's Under the Tree, South Koreas Treeless Mountain', Japan's All Around Us and Machan of United Kingdom/Italy/Germany/Sri Lanka.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Rotterdam International Film Festival | Film Presented | Nominated |
| Vladivostok International Film Festival | Official Selection | Nominated | |
| Melbourne International Film Festival | Official Selection | Nominated | |
| Moscow International Film Festival | Official Selection | Nominated | |
| Sarasota International Film Festival | Narrative Competition | Nominated | |
| Festival Cinema Africano Asia America Latina Milano | Official Selection Windows on the World Competition | Nominated | |
| San Francisco Asian-American Film Festival | Official Selection International Showcase Competition | Nominated | |
| Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Best Actress for Anita Linda | Won | |
| Young Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress for Anita Linda | Won | |
| Best Picture | Won | ||
| Best Performance | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Won | ||
| Best Cinematography and Visual Design | Won | ||
| Best Editing | Won | ||
| Best Sound and Aural Orchestration | Won | ||
| 2008 | Toronto International Film Festival | Official Selection Contemporary World Cinema | Nominated |
| 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival (Southeast Asia Film Competition) | Best Actress for Anita Linda | Won | |
| Pusan International Film Festival | Official Selection Window to Asian Cinema | Nominated | |
| Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival | Opening Film | Nominated |
Production Crew
- Executive Producers: Noel D. Ferrer and Adolfo Alix, Jr.
- Line Producers: Arleen Cuevas
- Associate Line Producer: Maxie Evangelista
- Director of Photography: Albert Banzon
- Production Manager: Rolly Palmes
- Associate Director: Armando Reyes
- Production Designers: Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Jerome Zamora
- Written by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Nick Joseph Olanka
- Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr.
References
- Miralles, Nitz (10 March 2008). "Veteran actress Anita Linda topbills an indie movie". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- Holden, Stephen (13 October 2009). "A Hard Life, Especially as You're Turning 80". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- San Diego Jr., Bayani (16 June 2008). "'Adela' is Cinemalaya opening film July 11". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- "adelamovie.multiply.com". Multiply.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26.
- Movie Review: Adela
- Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (12 July 2008). "Veteran actress Anita Linda has no plans of retiring yet". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- "Adela:Awards & Nominations". MSN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- "ADELA International Trailer". Youtube.com. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
External links
- Adela on IMDb
- Adela at Rotten Tomatoes