August 25, 2015

Felix Manalo Teaser Trailer Impressions: A Biopic of Iglesia Ni Cristo's Founder

Felix Manalo is a 2015 biographical drama and historical film by Viva Films under the direction of Joel Lamangan which stars Dennis Trillo (playing the role of Felix Manalo) and Bela Padilla slated for an October 7, 2015 theatrical release. Let's check out what this 2015 biopic of one of the country's most prominent religious leader has in store for movie goers?

Felix Manalo 2015 movie trailer impressions Historical Drama Biographical film trailer review pinoy movie blogger

Felix Manalo
Plot / Synopsis

FELIX MANALO is an epic historical biographical film dramatizing the life of Felix Yzagun Manalo, the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC). Manalo is regarded by the members of the INC as the last prophet of God and restorer of the true church, whom they called, Sugo (Tagalog, "messenger" or "envoy").

Source: Youtube


Watch Felix Manalo Official Teaser Trailer here:


UPDATE
You can check out the full trailer for Felix Manalo here:
Watch Felix Manalo Official FULL Trailer here:





Felix Manalo Official Trailer Impression
Felix Manalo Film Trailer Review

Felix Manalo 2015 Historical Drama Biopic Dennis Trillo playing as Ka Felix Manalo of Iglesia ni Cristo walking away from the Roman Catholic Faith to found Iglesia ni Cristo

So what is there to say about the Felix Manalo movie teaser trailer? Well it is two-minute long clip of what I assume is the full trailer of the Felix Manalo 2015 biopic. So instead of actual lines that could give us a preview of how the writing is like in the film, we are instead presented with the film's potential good musical scoring. Guess it is a thing with teaser trailers for biopics whiich can also be observed with the Kid Kulafu (Manny Pacquiao Biopic) teaser trailer when it was first released.

Felix Manalo 2015 Historical Drama Biographical movie about the founder of Iglesia ni Cristo where Dennis Trillo plays Ka Felix Manalo of INC

The Felix Manalo Biopic teaser trailer looks excellently shot. One can immediately say that the biographical film of one of the most influential religious leaders of the Philippines has a good production value. The biopic is also a period piece that gives us sneak peak on what life is like in the late 1800 to early 1900 here in Philippines; of the struggle of "Ka Felix" in founding a religion in a Roman Catholic dominated (in terms of religion) country like the Philippines. I for one am particularly interested to see this film out of curiosity of the life of the religious leader and how they are able to execute the 1900 Philippine setting. If I were to nitpick, one observation I noticed when it comes to Philippine produced period pieces is that the costumes are too neat and clean. It is like most costumes are straight out of a Filipiniana contemporary tailoring shop which can sometimes draw one out of the supposedly 1900 period. In addition, this biopic walks a very risky and thin line as it tends to get more criticism from both the believer and non-believer of the religious organization: (1) Criticism from the non-believers as they might not be open for it and may very well call this as a propaganda or agenda; (2) Criticism from the believers in terms that they might not like how their beloved leader will be portrayed, or how the film will take some liberties from the actual history of their leader. On the latter, I think the piece is well researched and I don't think well-known celebrities who happens to be also Iglesia ni Cristo members would take part in something that will give shame to either their church or its leaders. Viva Films is actually gambling and hoping for the best with this biopic. The only question now is will it sell in the box office?

Felix Manalo 2015 Historical Drama Biographical Film from Viva Films Title Card directed by Joel Lamangan starring Dennis Trillo and Bela Padilla

How about you guys? What do you think about the biopic of 'Ka Felix' (known to his church)? Can you set aside your religious difference just to see a film that tells the story of someone who goes against your very same church? If you are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, what do you think of Dennis Trillo in playing the role of Felix Manalo? Share your thoughts about the Felix Manalo teaser trailer in the comments section below: