Tickets secured, popcorn purchased, and tissues ready.
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Ayo Edebiri famously once said “I’m Seated. The theatre employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s ‘not August yet’ but I’m simply too seated.” In our case, we’re simply too seated for this upcoming double feature.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) have announced their highly anticipated Valentine’s special event Sine Sinta: Pag-Ibig at Pelikula 2025. And get the tissues ready because it will be a double screening of Jose Arnaldo’s Gitling and Celine Song’s Past Lives. The event will run from February 5-11, screening at select Ayala Cinemas in Market! Market!, TriNoma, and Ayala Malls Circuit Makati. They will also be screened in FDCP Cinematheques in Iloilo, Davao, Nabunturan, and Negros.
The FDCP ate with this pairing because they brought together two of the most heartwrenching movies of the past five years and expect us to be ok with watching them back-to-back? We know what we’re doing this Valentine’s. Whether you’re watching with a special someone, or you’re simply taking yourself out on a self date, these two films will have you glued to your seat and yearning. Learn more about these critically acclaimed movies below.
GITLING
Gitling (2023) follows the story of a young Filipina translator, Jamie (Gabby Padilla), and a middle-aged Japanese director, Makoto (Ken Yamamura), as they work together to create subtitles for Makoto’s film. Throughout the process, they test the limits of language and understanding.
Written and directed by Jopy Arnaldo, this film made waves when it debuted in Cinemalaya 2023, even winning the Best Screenplay award. Since its release, Gitling has gone on to form somewhat of a cult following as an underrated gem in modern Philippine cinema. Considering screenings are few and far between, this is a good chance for you to catch this sobering drama.
PAST LIVES
Past Lives (2023) follows the friendship between Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) as they meet in New York years after Nora’s family emigrated from South Korea. They reunite for one fateful week in which they face the notions of destiny, love, and the choices they have made in their lives.
Directed and written by Celine Song, this film had a big moment in pop culture when it was released, and its impact can still be felt to this day. It was nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Motion Picture of the Year at the 2024 Oscar Awards and is widely regarded as one of the best romance movies of the 2020s. Nora and Hae Seung’s “what if” story may be simple at first glance, but it will get you with its storytelling.
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