Uniquely celebrating the slums of Manila, the musical tells the story of teenager Tony D and his vicious circle of friends.
Some of the denizens of this underworld are a gambling addict, Lovely Loanshark, a father of two daughters and a gay son, police sergeant Pepper, an aged white homosexual, Steve Banners, and a washed-out rapper, Ogo X. With abrupt cuts and absurd dialogues, the film’s bizarre events unfold in a colourful and occasionally even glamorous manner, portraying a violent and perverse marginal society. In terms of its form, Mondomanila is a hybrid comprising video spots, film noir, hyperrealist documentary scenes and slapstick, all to the accompaniment of forceful original music.
»Even with a full screenplay, there’s still room for improvisation, for being open to the possibilities of the present, hearing and seeing the ‘now’. Filmmaking is collaborating with reality, with life, with the universe. You are not a writer holed up in your room writing whatever comes to your mind. You are outside, co-creating with people, places, and the world you’re in.« (Khavn de la Cruz)
Khavn de la Cruz
An enfant terrible of Philippine cinema. A lucid filmmaker who has been continually challenging and pushing the lines of his artistic idiom, he has made over 20 feature films and more than 70 shorts. An all-around artist, he is a director, poet, musician and composer.