Apocalypse Child

Apocalypse Child is a 2015 Philippine independent film directed by Mario Cornejo, set in the Philippine coastal town of Baler and featuring aspects of local surf culture.[1] It stars Sid Lucero, Annicka Dolonius, Gwen Zamora, RK Bagatsing, Ana Abad Santos, and Archie Alemania, and was co-written by Mario Cornejo and Monster Jimenez.

Apocalypse Child
Directed byMario Cornejo
Written byMario Cornejo
Monster Jimenez
StarringSid Lucero
Annicka Dolonius
Gwen Zamora
RK Bagatsing
Ana Abad Santos
Archie Alemania
CinematographyIke Avellana
Production
company
Filmex
Release date
  • October 23, 2015 (2015-10-23) (QCinema International Film Festival)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Production

Development

Apocalypse Child initially had a different title and a different story, still written by Mario Cornejo and Monster Jimenez. The film's original plot revolved around four middle-aged women who went on to learn about surfing because they fell in love with a young surf instructor.[2]

But they changed the plot as soon as they went to Baler, Aurora to do further research and learn more about the history of surfing in the Philippines. Surf culture in the country, according to an a legend, began because of a Hollywood film. Apocalypse Now shot some of its scenes in Baler in the 1970s and allegedly, the crew left a surfboard floating in the sea. The surfboard was later used by five local boys who taught themselves how to surf and became the first Philippine surfing champions.[2]

Cornejo and Jimenez played around with this myth and incorporated it in their film. What if the Apocalypse Now production team left behind some children as well? This was how the Ford's character came to be, who was led to believe his whole life that he was the son of Apocalypse Now director Francis Ford Coppola. While writing the script, they already had Sid Lucero in mind to play the part. They also explored archetypes such as the favorite daughter, sacrificing mother, the "worst fault", and the father's son.

The final script was submitted to the QCinema Film Festival after which they secured partial funding.[2]

Principal photography

The film was shot in Baler, Aurora within 20 days with production firm, Filmex helping Cornejo and Jimenez in scheduling the principal photography. The production staff had a four-day break.[2]

Release

Apocalypse Child had its premiere at the QCinema Film Festival in October 2015,[3] about seven months after the script was submitted to the organizers. The film was later screened in film festivals in Italy, New York City and Pittsburgh in the United States, and South Korea. It had its commercial release in Philippine cinemas on October 26, 2016.[2]

Reception
List of accolades
Award / Film Festival Category Recipient(s) Result
QCinema Film Festival Awards 2015[3]
Best Picture Apocalypse Child Won
Best Director Mario Cornejo Won
Best Artistic Achievement Lawrence S. Ang Won
Best Supporting Actress Annicka Dolonius Won
Film Academy of the Philippines Luna Awards 2016[4] Best Supporting Actress Ana Abad Santos Won
Gawad Urian Awards 2016[5] Best Supporting Actress Ana Abad Santos Won
Star Awards for Movies 2016[6] Indie Movie Cinematographer of the Year Ike Avellana Won
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2016[7] Fasken Martineau Best Feature Film Apocalypse Child Won

References
  1. Ortiga, Kara (Nov 5, 2016). "Armi Millare talks about making the music for Apocalypse Child". Esquiremag.ph. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
  2. "Apocalypse Child: untangling small towns, surfing, sex, and moving on". Adobo Magazine. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  3. Aguila, Ren (29 October 2015). "Baler surfer drama, insomniacs' romance win big at QCinema Fest". GMA News. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. "FULL LIST: Winners, Luna Awards 2016". Rappler. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  5. "FULL LIST: Winners, Gawad Urian 2016". Rappler. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  6. "FULL LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2016". Rappler. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  7. Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (15 November 2016). "'Apocalypse Child' wins best feature film in Toronto Asian film fest". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
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