MANILA, Philippines – Black comedy film Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good And Evil was given a second week run in key Metro Manila cities after it fought hard from being pulled out in cinemas.
The film starring John Lapus, Kean Cipriano and Alex Medina is still screening in Market! Market!, Festival Mall, Robinsons Galleria, SM North Edsa, SM Manila and SM Megamall to date. Producer Chris Cahilig of Insight 360 hopes that more cinemas will screen the film since it’s the only Filipino movie showing this week.
“Cinema attendance, including big-budgeted Hollywood flicks, was bad last week perhaps due to the record-high heat. Many still want to watch Echorsis on the big screen that’s why I am happy that at least six theaters are still exhibiting it. I just hope that others will follow,” Cahilig said.
Echorsis, directed by Lemuel Lorca who recently bagged the Best Picture trophy for Ned’s Project in CineFilipino, and written by Palanca-winner Jerry Gracio, pleased critics.
Clickthecity in-house film critic Philbert Dy described Echorsis as a “subversive little gem” and hailed it for its bold depiction of the LGBT community. He believed that Echorsis is the “spiritual successor” of the sleeper hit Zombadings.
“(Echorsis) emerges as a subversive little gem; brave enough to say things that aren’t often touched by our cinema, and it does it while being pretty funny. That’s certainly worth something,” Dy wrote.
Meanwhile, writer Oggs Crus praised the movie for doing what it sets out to do — which is to entertain while “deliberate forwarding a pervasive agenda.”
Various online and print reviews and netizens praised Lapus, Cipriano and Medina for their performances as the closeted Kristoff, the confused priest Father Nick and the sweet-tongue gigolo Carlo. Echorsis was also noticed for its unpredictable and sensitive screenplay by Gracio and breathtaking cinematography by Sasha Palomares.
“I hope that more people, particularly the lovers of Philippine cinema, to come out and watch Echorsis despite the summer heat. It’s truly worth their time, effort and money,” Cipriano appealed.
Completing the ensemble cast are Alessandra de Rossi, Chokoleit, Kiray Celis, Mich Liggayu, Ruby Ruiz, Negi Negra, Bekimon, Nico Antonio, Francine Garcia, Odette Khan, and 1:43’s Yuki Sakamoto, Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino and Yheen Valero.
Echorsis is supported by BellaVita Land Corp. and McJim Classic Leather.