The Missing (2023 film)
The Missing (Ilocano: Iti Mapukpukaw) is a 2023 Philippine-Thai adult animated science fiction film written and directed by Carl Joseph Papa, starring Carlo Aquino, Gio Gahol and Dolly de Leon. It premiered at the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival on August 5, 2023, where it won Best Film, Best Supporting Actress for de Leon and special NETPAC award. It is the first full-length animated film to compete in the history of the Cinemalaya.[1][2]
The Missing | |
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Iti Mapukpukaw | |
Directed by | Carl Joseph Papa |
Written by | Carl Joseph Papa |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Jethro Jamon |
Edited by | Ben Tolentino |
Music by | Teresa Barrozo |
Production companies | |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Countries | Philippines Thailand |
Languages | Ilocano Filipino |
The film was selected as the Philippine entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, becoming the first animated film to be submitted by the Philippines.[3][4]
Synopsis
Eric lives a fairly normal life working as an animator in the Philippines. He has a nice but dirty apartment, a well-paying job, and a boy he likes. However, one thing that stands out about Eric is that he literally has no mouth.
One day, he receives a phone call from his mother, Rosalinda, asking him to accompany her to the location of his missing uncle. Only to discover that his uncle has been deceased for several days. While Eric is still in shock, a familiar alien arrives and wishes to remove him from Earth. This occurrence will drive him to reflect on his history and piece together his memories.
Cast
- Carlo Aquino as Eric
- Gio Gahol as Carlo
- Dolly de Leon as Rosalinda
Production
The production received funding from the Cinemalaya Foundation and was supported by government agencies CreatePH Films, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. It also received grant from Thai financier Purin Pictures. Iti Mapukpukaw is produced by Project 8 Projects, and is co-produced by GMA News and Public Affairs and Terminal Six Post.[5][6]
Iti Mapukpukaw utilizes rotoscope animation technique. The film was shot with the actors in four days, while the animation works took one year and seven months involving a team of 90 animators.[5]
See also
References
- "'Iti Mapukpukaw,' first ever animated film to win Best Film in Cinemalaya, takes home 3 awards". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- Leon, Marguerite de (2023-07-30). "Carl Joseph Papa, Gio Gahol on 'Iti Mapukpukaw,' 1st full-length animation to compete in Cinemalaya". Rappler. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- Velasco, Raheema (2023-09-29). "Animated feature 'Iti Mapukpukaw' picked as PH official entry to Oscars 2024". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- "International Oscar Race: The Philippines Selects Gay Animation Film 'The Missing'". Variety.
- Navarra, Ruth L. (2023-07-30). "Carl Joseph E. Papa's 'Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)' makes history as Cinemalaya's first animated full-length film". Inquirer Super. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
- "FDCP Awards 4.6M Grant to 19 CreatePHFilms Projects". Film Development Council of the Philippines. 2022-06-07. Retrieved 2023-10-01.