About Us But Not About Us
{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}}
{{use mdy|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = About Us But Not About Us
| image = About Us But Not About Us poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Jun Robles Lana
| writer = Jun Robles Lana
| producer = {{plainlist|
- Jun Robles Lana
- Perci Intalan
- Ferdy Lapuz
- Elmer Gatchalian
- Josabeth V. Alonso}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| cinematography = Neil Daza
| editing = Lawrence S. Ang
| music = Teresa Barrozo
| studio =
{{Plainlist|
- The IdeaFirst Company
- Octoberian Films
- Quantum Films
}}
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2022|11|23|PÖFF|2023|04|8|Philippines}}
| country = Philippines
| language = English
Filipino
| budget =
| gross =
}}
About Us But Not About Us is a 2022 Philippine psychological drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Jun Robles Lana. The film stars Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas.{{cite news |title='About Us But Not About Us' wins Best Film in Tallinn |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/29/22/about-us-but-not-about-us-wins-best-film-in-tallinn |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=29 November 2022}}
The film was first released in Estonia on November 23, 2022, as one of the official entries for the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where it won the Best Film award. It also received a Philippine premiere on April 8, 2023, as one of the entries for the 1st Summer Metro Manila Summer Film Festival, where it won 10 awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
Premise
Eric (Romnick Sarmenta) and his student, Lancelot (Elijah Canlas) converse with each other over a meal at a restaurant unveiling secrets.{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Marinel |title=Elijah Canlas takes steps to fulfill Hollywood dream |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/493072/elijah-canlas-takes-steps-to-fulfill-hollywood-dream |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=1 April 2023 |language=en}}
Cast
- Romnick Sarmenta as Ericson; A gay man who worked as a literature professor{{cite news |title=Why Romnick Sarmenta accepted gay role in 'About Us But Not About Us' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/16/23/why-romnick-sarmenta-accepted-gay-role-in-summer-mmff-entry |access-date=1 April 2023 |first=Leah C. |last=Salterio |work=ABS-CBN News |date=16 March 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Bautista |first1=Mario |title=Elijah plays one of his hardest roles - Journal News |url=https://journalnews.com.ph/elijah-plays-one-of-his-hardest-roles/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Journal Online |date=19 March 2023}}
- Elijah Canlas portrays two roles which are:
- Lancelot: A student attending the University of the Philippines who has Ericson as his mentor. His character is helped by Ericson after the student was beaten up by his stepfather. Canlas described the character as a survivalist, who was also victimized by a pedophile priest at ten years old.
- Marcus: Former husband of Ericson who committed suicide
Production
About Us But Not About Us was produced under The IdeaFirst Company, Octoberian Films, and Quantum Films under the direction of Jun Lana.{{cite news |title=Eight official entries of 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/24/8-official-entries-of-inaugural-summer-metro-manila-film-festival-revealed/ |first=Robert |last=Requinitina |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=25 February 2023 |language=en}} Perci Intalan, Lana's ex-partner was the producer. Lana described the film as a "personal" project which he created during a "period of depression". Characterizing the film as "part fiction and part confessional", Lana disclosed writing for three straight days for the story of the film, drawing inspiration from his childhood trauma.{{cite news |last1=Gabinete |first1=Jojo |title=Jun Lana isiniwalat ang "dark past" sa About Us But Not About Us movie |trans-title=Jun Lana revealed "dark past" in About Us But Not About Us movie|url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/169504/jun-lana-about-us-but-not-about-us-a734-20221105 |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=PEP.ph |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. |date=5 November 2022 |language=en, fil}}
The film's story is "conversational" featuring just two seated characters talking to each other in a single setting. A significant part of the story was in English. About Us But Not About Us took five days to shoot, with a script reading taking place a day prior.
It was shot entirely on location at the "L'Opera Ristorante" Italian Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City, Makati, Manila.
Release
The film premiered in Estonia at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in November 2022.{{cite news |title='About Us But Not About Us' to premiere in Tallinn film fest |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/28/22/about-us-but-not-about-us-to-premiere-in-tallinn-film-fest |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=28 November 2022}} It screened in cinemas in the Philippines as one of the eight official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival which began on April 8, 2023.
Reception
=Critical response=
About Us But Not About Us was recognized as the Best Film in the Critics' Pick competition of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Film critic Niki Nikitin, as an attendee of the Estonian film festival, praised the film as "masterfully orchestrated" despite having a small budget. Indonesian film critic Bavner Donaldo praised this film for its stunning acting performances with an unexpected conclusion.{{Cite web |last=Donaldo |first=Bavner |date=2023-10-23 |title=Review Film #753 - About Us But Not About Us (2022) • Cinejour |url=https://cinejour.com/753-about-us-but-not-about-us-2022/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=cinejour.com |language=id}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ {{sronly|Accolades received by About Us But Not About Us}} |
| scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" data-sort-type="date" | Date of ceremony ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Recipient(s) ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}} |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="11" | 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival
| rowspan="11" | April 11, 2023 | Best Picture | About Us But Not About Us | {{Won}} | rowspan="11"|{{Cite web|date=April 11, 2023 |title=FULL LIST: Winners, Summer MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/full-list-winners-summer-metro-manila-film-festival-2023-gabi-ng-parangal/ |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=Rappler}} |
| Best Director
| Jun Lana | {{Won}} |
| Best Actor
| {{Won}} |
| Best Screenplay
| Jun Lana | {{Won}} |
| Best Production Design
| Mabelle Sian | {{Won}} |
| Best Cinematography
| Neil Daza | {{Won}} |
| Best Editing
| Lawrence Ang | {{Won}} |
| Best Sound
| About Us But Not About Us | {{Won}} |
| Best Musical Score
| About Us But Not About Us | {{Won}} |
| Best Float
| About Us But Not About Us | {{Nom}} |
| Special Jury Prize
| {{Won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="6" | 2024 Gawad Urian Award
|rowspan="6" |June 8, 2024 |Gawad Urian for Best Picture |About Us But Not About Us |{{Nom}} |rowspan="6" |{{cite web|last=Veronique Yap |first=Jade |title=Here is the complete list of winners |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/909493/gawad-urian-awards-2024-here-is-the-complete-list-of-winners/story/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0vWO77stGr6hQLdh_07QWkvgHM8kqyrxA8aNT9A8RJYPz1XkIeyRXo6Lw_aem_AcS_c7KjhbR6TigWW84b0hhybOArzR2geC-GuTE1NAt1gqQKS70SvzX8Eak-S2nIu-mzeWvD3pe-ztcOa-0Pax1m |website=GMA Network |date=June 8, 2024 |access-date=June 9, 2024}} |
| Gawad Urian for Best Director
|Jun Lana |{{Nom}} |
| Gawad Urian for Best Screenplay
|Jun Lana |{{Won}} |
| Gawad Urian for Best Actor
|Romnick Sarmenta |{{Won}} |
| Gawad Urian for Best Editing
|Lawrence Ang |{{Nom}} |
| Gawad Urian for Best Sound
|Armand De Guzman |{{Nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="5" |7th Eddys
|rowspan="5" |July 7, 2024 |Best Picture |About Us But Not About Us |{{Won}} |
| Best Director
|Jun Lana |{{Won}} |
| Best Actor
|Romnick Sarmenta |{{Nom}} |
| Best Screenplay
|Jun Lana |{{Won}} |
| Best Editing
|Lawrence Ang |{{Won}} |
References
{{reflist}}