Pieta is a 2023 Philippine drama film starring Nora Aunor and Alfred Vargas. It was directed by Adolf Alix Jr..

Pieta
Directed byAdolfo Alix Jr.
Written byJerry Gracio
Produced byAlfred Vargas
Starring
Production
company
    • Alternative Vision Cinema
    • Noble Wolf
Release date
  • December 23, 2023 (2023-12-23) (Metro Manila Film Festival)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Cast

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  • Nora Aunor as Rebecca Bernabe, a blind elderly woman with Alzheimer's disease, who has troubles remembering her son.[1] Aunor who underwent surgery in 2010 after damaging her vocal chords, is noted for having sung the Kampangan song "Atin Cu Pung Singsing" for the film. She insisted on including the song due to its relevance to the film story.[2] Aunor wore contact lens on her left eye to simulate a cataract for the role.[1]
  • Alfred Vargas as Isaac Bernabe, Rebecca's son. He was sentence for life for the killing of his father at age 16. After 18 years of imprisonment. Isaac was granted pardon and reunites with his mother.[3]
  • Jaclyn Jose[3] as Santi's mother
  • Gina Alajar as Beth[3]
  • Alan Paule as Isaac's father.[3]
  • Bembol Roco as Francis, Isaac's prisonmate.[3]
  • Ina Raymundo as Sarah
  • Miggy Jimenez as Santi
  • Tommy Alejandrino as Jonil

Production

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The development of Pieta was publicly announced as early as February 2023.[4]

Pieta was produced under Alternative Vision Cinema and Noble Wolf.[3] Adolfo Alix Jr. was the director with co-star Alfred Vargas also a producer. The film was derived from an original story by Alix,[5] and not a remake of the 1983 film of the same name which had several adaptations.[6] Jerry Gracio was the screenwriter.[7]

Pieta was filmed in March 2023[7] in less than ten days. [8] The film is primarily set in a cornfield in Pampanga.[1] By June 2023, the film is already in the post-production stage.[8]

Release

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Pieta was initially projected to be released in May 2023, the month when Mother's Day falls.[5] It was later submitted for the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival which opened on December 23, 2023.[9] However Pieta was not accepted as an entry.[6]

With the film having a sneak screening as early as December 22, 2023[1] and has a limited release on December 23, 2023.[10] Pieta is scheduled to have its theatrical release in the Philippines sometime around 2024.[2]

Accolades

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Date Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
May 26, 2024 72nd Famas Awards FAMAS Award for Best Actor Alfred Vargas Won [11]
FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress Gina Alajar Nominated
FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay Jerey Gracio Nominated
Circle of Excellence Nora Aunor Won
July 21, 2024 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies PMPC Star Award for Movie Actor of the Year Alfred Vargas Nominated [12]
Star Award for Movie Actress of the Year Nora Aunor Won
Star Award for Movie Supporting Actor of the Year Bembol Roco Nominated
Star Award for Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Gina Alajar Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie of the Year Pieta Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Director of the Year Adolfo Alix Jr Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year Jerry Gracio Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Cinematographer of the Year Nelson Macababat Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Editor of the Year Adolfo Alix Jr, Mark Joseph Llona Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year Mikoy Morales Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Production Designer of the Year Jhon Paul Sapitula Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the Year Immanuel Verona Nominated
Star Award for Indie Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year Pieta Won
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References

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  1. ^ a b c d PEP Troika (December 23, 2023). "Nora Aunor, hindi umurong sa challenges sa shooting ng Pieta" [Nora Aunor did not back out from the challenges in shooting Pieta]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Severo, Jan Milo (December 28, 2023). "Nora Aunor sings again in 'Pieta' over a decade after damaging vocal chords". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Asilo, Rito P. (January 8, 2024). "Nora, Gina and Jaclyn's provocative dramatic synergy in 'Pieta'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Iglesias, Iza (February 9, 2023). "Nora Aunor returns to the big screen with 'Pieta'". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Bautista, Mario (February 6, 2023). "Direk Adolf stresses that 'Pieta' with Nora, Gina and Alfred not a remake". Journal Online. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "'Sayang…hindi nakasama ang Pieta nina Alfred at Nora sa MMFF 2023'" [A shame... Pieta of Alfred and Nora not included in MMFF 2023]. Bandera (in Filipino). Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 29, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Alfred Vargas, excited mapanood ang eksena kasama sina Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, at Jaclyn Jose". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. March 27, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Santos, Rhea Manila (June 10, 2023). "Alfred Vargas on working with Nora Aunor in 'Pieta': 'Never siya nagyabang!'" [Alfred Vargas on working with Nora Aunor in ‘Pieta’: ‘She never bragged!’]. PUSH (in English and Filipino). Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Salterio, Leah (September 29, 2023). "Alfred Vargas hopes 'Pieta' will make it to MMFF". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "It Deserves to Be Seen: PIETA with NORA AUNOR and ALFRED VARGAS". Kumagcow.com. December 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Philippines Star (May 6, 2024). "LIST: Here are the nominees for the 72nd FAMAS awards". Philippine Star Life. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Krishnan, Ganiel (July 22, 2024). "40th Star Awards for Movies celebrates decades of excellence in Philippine cinema". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.