‘Green Bones’ triples cinema slots after MMFF awards

January 2, 2025 | 12:00am

After winning Best Picture at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), “Green Bones” saw a dramatic rise in screenings — from 60 cinemas one day before the Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 27 to an impressive 180 to date.

The success of “Green Bones” is also a testament to GMA Pictures executive vice president Nessa Valdellon’s vision of showcasing the network’s homegrown talent on the big screen.

“I thought it was time for homegrown GMA talent to shine in a GMA-produced film,” Nessa told The STAR when asked about the casting process for the MMFF 2024 Best Actor Dennis Trillo and Best Supporting Actor Ruru Madrid.

Dennis, known for his versatility and depth as an actor, was a natural choice for the project. “Dennis was an automatic choice; he’s already an acting legend,” Nessa said.

“But even he went beyond expectations in this movie, delivering a performance so moving it will be talked about for a long time.”

Ruru, however, was a riskier choice. Despite his years in television, this marked his first major film role.

“Ruru has never had a big film before, and it was a huge risk for us to cast him,” Nessa admitted. “But I didn’t want to wait for another studio to make him a lead and turn him a movie star. I believe in his capability; he has grown as an actor over the past years, right before my eyes. After all, he and Public Affairs have had quite the journey together with our action dramas.”

That gamble paid off in a big way. Ruru’s heartfelt performance earned him the Best Supporting award, an achievement that even Nessa hadn’t anticipated. “At the awards night, I was screaming like a proud stage mom. We laughed about it after,” she said.

“Green Bones” also demonstrated the potential of underdog films in a crowded MMFF slate. In a previous interview with this paper, the prison drama was still fighting for cinema slots, entering the filmfest season with some 40 cinemas only.

Shortly after its six awards at the Gabi ng Parangal, its number of screens was seen to have doubled — if not more.

Nevertheless, The STAR asked the film producer and TV executive if GMA Pictures was disappointed that direk Zig didn’t get to be named Best Director. “The Kingdom” director Mike Tuviera and “My Future You” director Crisanto Aquino tied for the prize.

Nessa said, “Direk Zig pulled career-defining performances out of his actors in ‘Green Bones.’ He turned what could have been a small, claustrophobic movie into a grand, cinematic experience. Of course, I was sad he didn’t win! But this is a jury led by Dr. Nicanor Tiongson.”

But while he didn’t win Best Director, Nessa remained optimistic. “I have no doubt the various directors’ merits were discussed at length and in the end, the jury made other, worthy choices. I have nothing but good things to say about Mike Tuviera and Crisanto Aquino. I trust that someday, direk Zig will receive the recognition he deserves.”

Meanwhile, the team at GMA Pictures plans to take a well-deserved breather next year after the historic back-to-back Best Picture victories following last year’s “Firefly,” also megged by direk Zig.

“The team and I agreed we’re taking a break next MMFF as we missed Christmas two years in a row from having to work as social media warriors for our underdog films.”