Kristo (1996 film)
| Kristo (1996 film) | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ben Yalung |
| Written by | Emmanuel H. Borlaza Ruben Arthur Nicdao Ben Yalung |
| Starring | Mat Ranillo III Charmaine Rivera Amy Austria Ruel Vernal Rez Cortez Michael Locsin |
| Music by | Lutgardo Labad |
| Cinematography | Larry Manda |
| Edited by | George Jarlego |
|
Release dates
|
1996 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Language | Filipino Tagalog |
Kristo is a 1996 Filipino cinematic interpretation of the life of Jesus Christ. Produced in 1996 by Cine Suerte Productions and Oasis of Love Movement (by Fr. Sonny Ramirez, OP, host of the telemagazine Sharing in the City), Kristo stars Mat Ranillo III in the title role, together with Rez Cortez (as Judas Iscariot), Ruel Vernal (Peter), Michael Locsin (John), freelance model and then college student Charmaine Rivera (in her first and only film appearance as the Virgin Mary), and Amy Austria (Mary Magdalene).
The film also includes an all-star cast in their cameo appearances playing various characters. Among them are Gabby Concepción (John the Baptist), husband-and-wife pair Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino (as Simon of Cyrene and Veronica respectively), Aga Muhlach (the demon-possessed man), Rachel Lobangco (the Temptress, in which Satan is in a female form in the temptation of the desert scene), Silvia Sanchez (the adulteress), Ang TV star and singer Lindsay Custodio (Salome), and Christopher de Leon (as Dimas as credited in the film).
Contents
Plot/setting
The film started on a prologue, What if the Story of the New testament was replaced the setting, from the Middle East to the Philippine Islands, What would be the Image and culture of the new testament look like?
The narrative of Kristo is based on the combined Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but imagined as occurring in Classical Filipino society with ethnic elements and some aspects of Ancient Rome and first-century Judaea. Kristo was shot in various locations such as Intramuros, Lawton and Luneta in Manila, as well as in Laguna and Pampanga.
The film starts with an open book presenting the Nativity of Jesus in the form of illustrations. Live action scenes or the flow of the story follows the next page 30 years after, beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Kristo cycles through the various episodes in Christ's ministry, his death, and resurrection, ending with his ascension and its illustrated version on the last page with a Biblical message.
Cast
Major roles
- Mat Ranillo III as Jesus Christ (Hesu Kristo/Jesucristo)
- Charmaine Rivera as the Virgin Mary (Birheng María)
- Amy Austria as Mary Magdalene (María Magdalena)
- Ruel Vernal as Peter (Pedro)
- Rez Cortez as Judas Iscariot (Judas Iscariote)
- Michael Locsin as John the Apostle (Juan)
Cameo roles (in order of appearance)
- Gabby Conepción as John the Baptist (Juan Bautista)
- Rachel Lobangco as The Temptress (Mánunuksô)
- Paquito Díaz as Herod Antipas
- Sheila Ysrael as Herodias
- Lindsay Custodio as Salome
- Aga Muhlach as the Demoniac (Ang Sinapian ng masamáng espíritu)
- Silvia Sánchez as the Adultress (Mang-aapíd)
- Ricky Davao as Barabbas (Barabás)
- Dante Rivero as Nicodemus (Nicodemo)
- Maryo J. de los Reyes as Annas
- Tony Mabesa as Caiaphas
- Lou Veloso as Pharisee (Pariseo)
- Romy Rivera as Pontius Pilate (Póncio Pilato)
- Maila Gumila as Claudia Prócula
- Rudy Fernández as Simon of Cyrene (Simón ang Cireneo)
- Lorna Tolentino as Veronica (Verónica)
- Gardo Versoza as Gestas (Hestas)
- Christopher de León as Dismas (Dimas)
Facts
- Before being adapted into a film, Kristo was a Senákulo (traditional Filipino Passion Play) in dance-drama played at the Folk Arts Theater in April 1977. Both Ranillo and Cortez reprised their respective roles as Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot from the 1977 production.
- Ranillo was also nominated as "Best Actor" by the Film Academy of the Philippines in 1997 for his performance.
- This was director Ben Yalung's second religious film after Divine Mercy: Sa Buhay Ni Sister Faustina (Divine Mercy: in the Life of Sister Faustina) starring former matinee idol and MTV VJ Donita Rose in 1993. Yalung also produced and directed Ama Namin (Our Father) under Premiere Productions and DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation and Birhen ng Manaoag (Virgin of Manaoag)
- Ranillo eldest child, Krista, was named after the film.
