- “Patay Na Si Hesus” (Jesus Is Dead) RIP. OTW. LOL. in U.S. Theaters starting April 6, Friday
- For theater information on “Patay Na Si Jesus”, visit http://mytfc.com/my-tfc/movies/theaters
“Patay Na Si Hesus” (Jesus is Dead) may not exactly appear like it’s the most apropos movie for the current Easter season.
Because it’s not. And it’s not about that Jesus either.
So, y’all can chill when it comes to U.S. theaters starting tomorrow, April 6, in 11 cities in California, Nevada, Illinois and New Jersey.
A darling of film festivals, “Patay Na Si Hesus” won the Audience Choice and Gender Sensitivity Awards when it debuted late 2016 at the QCinema International Film Festival and the Jury’s Choice Award at the 2017 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Festival of Filipino Films) of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. It won the Star Awards Indie Movie Screenwriters of the Year for Moira Lang (formerly Raymond Lee) and Fatrick Tabada and FAP Awards for Best Supporting Actress for Chai Fonacier. It has played at the 1st Cinematografo International Film Festival in San Francisco, Seattle Twist Festival, Toronto Reel Asian Festival and Cambodia International Film Festival.
One thing in common about theaters that screened this movie, which by the way, is in a Filipino dialect called Cebuano (not Tagalog)? They were packed. And theatergoers almost died… laughing.
No worries for those who will watch starting tomorrow: this original crazy rib-tickler will have English subtitles.
The film stars Jaclyn Jose, the first Filipina to win Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for the dark and gritty, “Ma’ Rosa” in 2016. She plays Maria Fatima or Iyay for short. Joining her are Chai Fonacier as Jude, Melde Montanez as Jay, Vincent Viado as Hubert, among others.
Oh, yes, there is this cuddly canine named Judas. But don’t ask who played Jesus.
So, what’s going on in this film? Iyay got her three adult kids together on a long drive from Cebu to Dumaguete (think about 5 hours of driving). The reason? To attend the funeral of Iyay’s long-estranged husband and father of her kids named Hesus. The eldest child, Hubert, has Down’s syndrome. The middle child, Judith Marie is a lesbian/trans man named Jude. The youngest child, Jay, is a jobless bum. With Judas the dog and their crazy aunt, Lucy, they all squeezed into their trusty minivan for one life-changing road trip guaranteed to make the viewers cackle, giggle and guffaw from all the hilarious banter and absurdity that go on. But viewers might need a tissue or two for tears because this is one family story that will also touch hearts.
ReelAdvice.net wrote:
“Quirky, offensive and hilarious are words that easily describe “Patay na si Hesus”. The film mixes comedy and drama perfectly into a volatile, unique and in-your-face experience. This is one road movie you wouldn’t want to pass up.”
Kudos to director Victor Villanueva, the cast and crew.
For theater information on “Patay Na Si Jesus”, visit http://mytfc.com/my-tfc/movies/theaters
