“GRACELAND” PREMIERES TODAY AT ROBINSON’S GALLERIA

By GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE,
PMPC(Phil.MoviePressClub)

From his blog "Manila Showbiz and Lifestyle" also farmed out in different versions to www.pmpcstarnews.com.ph Remate Online, Pilipino Mirror,  Scandal, CMT (Columnists Monitoring Team) Update, etc.

From left Director Ron Morales, Leon Miguel, a lady friend, Ella Guevarra and Arnold Reyes

Another  pose from the winning team of  "Graceland"

According to Dave McNary of Variety Magazine,  Drafthouse Films has acquired North American rights to Filipino crime thriller "Graceland" with plans for a limited theatrical and VOD release next year.
The deal was negotiated by James Emanuel Shapiro on behalf of Drafthouse Films and Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films on behalf of Lundgren.
 “Graceland” which has Filipino actors in the stellar roles like Leon Miguel, Arnold Reyes,  Menggie Cobarrubias, Ella Guevarra, etc. was entirely shot in the Philippines and to my knowledge  Director Rolly Palmes has helped theUS-based director Ron Morales in the production management side of the project which was entirely  shot in the country.
Incidentally, Rolly is managing yet the production of “Dekada XXX” (a satire on the reign of greed and avarice of past and present Presidents of the Philippines),  a Cinema One Originals winner for 2012 directed by Khavn dela Cruz, which will soon shoot most of its scenes in the fabled Corrigidor Island.
In any case, “Graceleand” made its world premiere at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, where it received an
audience award and stalwart praise from critics.
Gabe Toro of Indiewire called it “mesmerizing,” while
Twitch says “Graceland” is “twisted enough to keep even the most seasoned thriller aficionado
second guessing up to the end.”
It went on to play to sold-out crowds at Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival, and will screen later this month at Austin’s FantasticFest and The Athens International Film Festival in Greece.
“Graceland” will finally have its Philippine Premiere on Sept 12 today  Wednesday at Robinson's Galleria Cinema 7 at 6:00pm.
It will have a week-long run from the 12th till the 18th, 6pm & 8pm.
“Graceland”  tells about family man Marlon Villar (Arnold Reyes), the long-time driver of Manuel Chango (Mengie Cobarrubias), a notoriously corrupt Filipino politician. One day as he and his daughter (Ella Guevara) accompany his boss' preteen daughter (Ella Necesito) home, their car is ambushed and, in the ensuing confusion, the kidnapper (Leon Miguel) gets the wrong girl and held for ransom.
The unassuming driver's life takes a sudden, terrifying turn that propels him into a horrifying downward spiral. As events unravel, Marlon, Chango, and their families become entangled in a game of deceit and betrayal that will leave no one innocent.
"Graceland," written and directed by Ron Morales, is produced by Rebecca Lundgren.
Morales largely financed the project with support from friends, family, and crowd-funding via Kickstarter.
Rated R-18 by the MTRCB,
Robinsons Movieworld Cinema 3 at Robinsons Galleria screens the action thriller starting Sept. 12 at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. and run for seven consecutive nights up to Sept. 18.