[UPDATED, WITH NEW PHOTOS] | “Ang Larawan” lead actress and executive producer Rachel Alejandro attended the opening ceremonies of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) on Wednesday with producer Girlie Rodis.
Alejandro and Rodis walked the red carpet in elegant Francis Libiran creations. “My first international Red Carpet walk. Thank you, Tokyo International Film Festival for choosing Ang Larawan as a nominee for Asian Future Film,” the actress-producer, who wore a red terno, posted on Instagram Wednesday night.
“Ang Larawan,” whose international title is “The Portrait” is the one of the 10 films vying for the Asian Future Film prize at the TIFF.
It is a musical based on Nick Joaquin’s three-act play “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.” Aside from Rachel, it stars Joanna Ampil and Paulo Avelino, and a great ensemble cast of singer-actors.
The 30th TIFF marks the world premiere of the film written by National Artist Rolando Tinio and directed by Broadway set designer, Drama Desk Award nominee and Obie Award winner Loy Arcenas.
Based on pre-TIFF buzz, “Ang Larawan” has stirred interest from the audience in Tokyo. Co-executive producer Alemberg Ang reported that tickets to the film’s screenings on October 30 (Monday) are almost sold out and October 31 (Tuesday) at the TOHO Cinemas in Roponggi Hills, are selling fast.
He said, “When I found out that our first screening in Tokyo will be at 1:50 on Monday, I thought we would be lucky to just have a handful of audience members… I checked the Tokyo International Film Festival website, I was floored to find out that only a few seats are left. Our second screening, in much bigger venue, still has some seats left.”
Aside from Alejandro and Rodis, Ang, director Loy Arcenas, and producer-actor Celeste Legaspi will also be present at the screenings to answer questions and interact with the audience.
