Filmmaker Frank E. Flowers is flying to Cayman this week for the local debut of his latest award-winning film, “Metro Manila,” at the upcoming “UNLIKE Cayman” festival.
The movie, co-written by Mr. Flowers and Oscar-nominated director Sean Ellis, will premiere at Regal Cinemas in Camana Bay at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“Really looking forward to it,” said Mr. Flowers. “The feedback to the film has been incredible. It’s been seen all over the world and touched audiences in a very universal way.”
Filmed in Tagalog, the local language of the Philippines, the crime thriller follows Oscar Ramirez, played by Jake Macapagal, a hard-working farmer who leaves the countryside with his family to look for a better life in the capital Manila, where they deal with surviving in the sprawling city. Oscar’s morality is put to the test under extreme conditions as the story unfolds.
“[It’s] been really inspiring to see such a small film make a big impact, like the proverbial little engine that could,” said Mr. Flowers in an email to the Cayman Compass.
The film at press time has a 93 percent rating based on 28 reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes movie review website.
“Metro Manila” won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for a BAFTA award.
“[It] should be a fun night,” Mr. Flowers said. “The film combines action with some real emotional stuff, so they will definitely have to make the after party fun.”
An hour before the premiere, Mr. Flowers will join VH1 executive producer Sean Rankine and other local film directors Badir Awe and Sean Bodden for a panel discussion on filmmaking in the Cayman Islands.
“It’s been a great year touring for ‘Metro Manila’ and there is no better place to end this journey than back home where it all started,” said Mr. Flowers.
Son of Frank Sr. and Eve Flowers and the grandson of the late Cayman Islands businessman Clarence Flowers, Mr. Flowers grew up in Cayman, graduated from John Gray High School and pursued a film major at the University of Southern California.
“Metro Manila” will be screened along with 14 other local films on Saturday. The film panel discussion starts at 5.30 p.m., followed by a wrap-up party at West Indies Wine Company. The Miss Cayman contestants are also set to attend the party.
UNLIKE festival
The three-day festival of arts, film, and culture kicks off on Friday, Sept. 26, with a cocktail reception at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. On Saturday, the free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring live performances, artist booths and short film screenings.
“With this festival, we’re going to be highlighting all the amazing artists in Cayman, and the varied and different types of artists that there are, and that there is art culture in Cayman that is alive and well,” said Mr. Awe, who launched the premiere of his first short film, “The Devil You Know” at local cinemas earlier this month.
Festival tickets are available at the Discovery Centre at Camana Bay. Tickets for the “Metro Manila” premiere are available at West Indies Wine Company for $25. All proceeds will go toward the scholarship program of the United World Colleges Cayman Islands National Foundation.
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I watched this film and can tell you that it is well worth seeing. I was riveted to it even though it has subtitles and I highly recommend it. There was an unexpected twist at the end that was brilliant. We should all be proud that a native Caymanian played such a major role in such an amazing film. Well done Frank!