Cebuano comedy is coming to Netflix

CEBU, Philippines — The 2016 dark comedy, “Patay na si Hesus,” will be available on the streaming service Netflix beginning Dec. 20, Cinema Centenario announced on its Facebook page.

Directed by Victor Villanueva and written by Fatrick Tabada, “Patay na si Hesus” premiered at the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival, winning Audience's Choice and the Gender Sensitivity Award.

But it was in 2017 that the movie enjoyed a commercial release as one of the 12 entries of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP). Moviegoers nationwide lapped up the deadpan humor despite the subtitles, making it the film festival’s sleeper hit. PPP recognized the film with a Jury’s Choice award for its groundbreaking contribution to regional cinema.

Villanueva told The FREEMAN in 2017: “A lot of people told us that ‘Patay’ wasn’t going to be marketable kay lagi Bisaya so wala gyud mi nag-expect sa reception. Shocked kaayo mi sa turnout that people were actually lining up outside cinemas. Now we’re playing in over a hundred theaters, exciting kaayo. There was such a huge demand not only in Cebu but in other parts of the country. People are talking about it on Twitter, we became a trending topic, they make fan art, they message us and thank us for the film!”

Starring Jaclyn Jose in her first role right after winning Best Actress at Cannes, “Patay” follows a mother who after receiving word that her estranged husband, Hesus, has passed away, gathers her three uneager children (Chai Fonacier, Melde Montañez and Vincent Viado) to attend their father’s funeral in Dumaguete City.

The road trip will delight Cebuanos who will see the Cebu South route as the dysfunctional and wacky family make stops in familiar spots.

Missing Filemon’s “Kawanangan” is featured in the film’s soundtrack.