Brillante Mendoza’s Foster Child, which had its world premiere at the last Cannes International Film Festival, will open in Philippine cinemas starting September 12.

Featuring the award-winning performance of Cherry Pie Picache (Best Actress, 9th Osian’s Cinefan International Festival in India), Foster Child depicts the emotional struggles of Thelma, a foster mother from
the slums played by Picache, who receives a meager P1,500 monthly and a basic supply of milk, diapers, and vitamins for every child placed in her care.

Osian’s Cinefan notices Picache’s acting in the film as “a performance that has managed to make even a fictional story look very much like a slice of life.”

Picache’s character is actually based on a real-life foster parent working for a Philippine nongovernment organization, Kaisang Buhay Foundation, which primarily helped her along the way to portray the role with such authenticity.

Picache stars in the film along with Eugene Domingo, Jiro Manio, Alwyn Uytingco, Dan Alvaro, and Kier Segundo.

Shot in real-time mode, director Mendoza, with script by Ralston Jover, presents with deep empathy the situation of most foster parents-for-hire in a third world country such as the Philippines.

International film critics find Foster Child as Mendoza’s most mature work to date.

“Foster Child, like my early films, has personal affinity to me, being an adoptive father myself of a little girl who came to my life and brought sunshine to my somewhat dreary existence. Its pre-production to actual shoot was very instinctive. I feel I’ve become a more loving father, having been given a chance to peek into the real lives of foster parents, foster children, and adoptive parents as well,” says Mendoza.

Audiences at the Cannes International Film Festival gave the film a 10-minute standing ovation during its world premiere.

“Critics find the film very authentic, detailed, and moving. Filipinos are portrayed
as warm and innately caring people,” adds Robbie Tan, the film’s producer.

Foster Child is one among the current staples in the International Film Festival circuit with scheduled screenings at the Montreal World Film Festival in August to September, and at the Pusan International Film Festival in October.

The movie is produced by Seiko Films, Inc. and distributed internationally through Ignatius Film Canada.

In photo: Cherry Pie Picache and Kier Segundo

Watch the trailer on YouTube

For queries:
Oliver Oliveros, publicist
818-1111 loc. 225
0928-7725254
stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph
http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com