With the most anticipated return of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) to theaters this Christmas season, Jun Robles Lana's Big Night is predicted to bag major awards not only for the remarkable performance of its stellar cast but for its fluid screenplay and overall production value as well.
Produced by Cignal Entertainment and IdeaFirst Company, together with OctoberTrain Films and Quantum Films, Big Night!, tells the story of a gay beautician named Dharna, played by Christian Bables, who is caught up in the war against drugs in the present-day Philippines. Mistakenly placed on the current drug users’ watchlist or “Oplan Tokhang,” Dharna struggles to go to great lengths in order to clear his name.
Lana is recognized for films that make powerful social implications, such as Kalel, 15, which depicted the struggle of HIV patients in the country, and Barber’s Tales and Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, which illustrated life under military rule.
Delving into the controversial mandate to apprehend suspected drug users, Big Night! substantiates the overwhelming casualties caused by “Oplan Tokhang” to this day.
Joining Christian Bables in this highly-anticipated film is a powerhouse cast led by Eugene Domingo, Gina Alajar, John Arcilla, Janice de Belen, Ricky Davao, and Gina Pareño, with the support of Nico Antonio, Allan Paule, Soliman Cruz, Martin del Rosario, Awra Briguela, VJ Mendoza, Cedrick Juan, Ogie Diaz, and Sue Prado.
As an added honor for Big Night!, the upcoming MMFF 2021 entry was also recently screened at the prestigious Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Europe from November 12-28, 2021.
Big Night screens in cinemas nationwide starting this Christmas Day, December 25, 2021.