Isang Himala teaser offers *stunning* new visuals that will surely interest new audiences come December 25 for the 50th MMFF.
We’re all familiar with the story of Himala (‘Miracle’), the 1982 film by Ishmael Bernal and that Ricky Lee wrote it, and that it starred one of the country’s greatest actors of all time — Nora Aunor — shouting the infamous line “Walang Himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao, nasa puso nating lahat…” atop the fictional Barangay Cupang hill, looking over thousands of followers and believers that are soon left… well, I’ll leave that to your research. And of course, the powerful metaphor the entire film’s premise beholds has enchanted thousands of believers and non-believers in their interpretation of it. This is why remaking it is the most daunting task. To make it an adaptable screenplay that could resonate in modern times has been disapproved not only of Lee but by the film’s legions of fans… and yet here we are. Isang Himala will be Pepe Diokno’s second MMFF film (after last year’s successful Jesuit-led GomBurZa), and the expectations are definitely high.
In this Isang Himala first look, Baryo Cupang transforms into a gritty mining town, capturing its intense chaos and heat. Aicelle Santos stars as ‘Elsa’ and Bituin Escalante as her mother ‘Saling’. The two were previously famously played by Aunor and Vangie Labalan. David Ezra and Kakki Teodoro also stars.
An official MMFF 2024 entry developed by Pepe Diokno, he ensures that it pays homage to the original film, even gaining a stamp of approval from Ricky Lee himself.
“I’ve seen every form of Himala, and I’m ecstatic about the material Pepe has presented,” says Ricky Lee, as he seems to approve this version of his screenplay based on a series of alleged Marian apparitions from 1966 to 1972.
“Isang Himala is completely different from Ishmael’s Himala. The treatment is different. My first day on the set, pagkaapak ko rito I was immediately transformed to Baryo Cupang”. True enough, this feels like it is Pepe Diokno’s biggest film to date, creating an entire world from scratch. It takes cues from the adapted stage play where the set is built in an intimate set and we are in for a dimensional experience.
With an entirely new treatment and stunning visuals, CreaZion Studios’ Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Real Florido expresses his strong confidence in the material, emphasizing the central role of the cast and crew in crafting this masterpiece. He states “Magbubuo ka ng lupon ng artista, and Ricky Lee being involved, kinakailangan ng magandang vision. Hindi siya yung pelikula na basta kaya mo lang gawin, minsan lang ito gawin, so bakit di natin buhusan ng effort ang material?”
Pepe Diokno teams up with Carlo Mendoza as cinematographer for the film to help elevate the visuals to greater heights (we surely enjoyed the crisp and clear visuals he brought into last year’s GomBurZa) and with recent 2024 Gawad Urian Awardee for Best Music (for Third World Romance) Vincent de Jesus will provide the music which, from the teaser alone, shows that it is a pivotal aspect in the film.
CreaZion Studios has partnered with Kapitol and UxS to produce this once-in-a-generation film that hopes to rekindle the powerful themes of faith and hope while honoring the profound legacy of the original. Ricky Lee said it best, ““Kailangan natin ng Himala— in the sense na ang hirap-hirap gumawa ng pelikula dito sa industriya natin, napakaraming restrictions at ang resources kulang and so on. Bawat pelikulang ginagawa is Himala.”
Isang Himala is set to premiere in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival on December 25.
