Die Beautiful | |
---|---|
Directed by | |
Screenplay by | Rody Vera |
Story by | Jun Robles Lana |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | Carlo Mendoza |
Edited by | Benjamin Tolentino |
Music by | Richard Gonzales |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Regal Entertainment |
Release dates | |
Running time | 120 minutes |
Country | Philippines |
Languages |
|
Budget | ₱15 million |
Box office | ₱98 million [1] (Official 2016 MMFF run) ₱110 million (Official Worldwide Run) |
Die Beautiful is a Filipino LGBT comedy-drama film produced and directed by Jun Robles Lana and co-produced by Ferdinand Lapuz and Perci M. Intalan, from a story by Jun Lana and screenplay by Rody Vera. It stars Paolo Ballesteros as Trisha, a trans woman who suddenly died after she was crowned winner of a gay beauty pageant and her friends who transform her into a different person on each night of her wake in a different location as a way to avoid being buried as a man by her father. It also tackles her whole life when she felt and dealt with problems and successes on living as a Filipina transgender as well as controversy in her family.
The film had its premiere at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2016, in Tokyo, Japan [2] and it became an official entry to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. [3]
Trisha Echevarria, is a trans woman whose sexuality is greatly opposed by her father, causing her to leave their house and live with her best friend Barbs.
The film starts at Trisha's wake. She died after she was crowned as Binibining Gay Pilipinas. Everyday during her wake, Trisha transforms into a different female celebrity through Barbs' skills in putting makeup. When Trisha was alive, the two enjoyed doing makeup transformation together.
Iza Calzado, who crowned Trisha during her final pageant, visits the wake at the time when Trisha is wearing makeup that depicts her. During Trisha's transformation as Miley Cyrus, the funeral parlor owner Flora takes a selfie with her and uploads it online. The photo goes viral, inadvertently making Trisha's wake an attraction, much to Barbs' disapproval. Couturier Eugene Domingo also visits the wake and brings a white gown for Trisha to wear during her transformation as Julia Roberts from Runaway Bride .
Throughout the film, several flashbacks of Trisha's life are shown. During her teenage years, Trisha, then using the name Patrick, study in the same school with Barbs. Patrick has a crush on Migs, a basketball player, and goes out with him one night after Barbs' encouragement. There, he is gangraped by a drunk Migs and his friends, causing anal bleeding on Patrick. His father visits him on the hospital together with his sister Beth, and finds out about what happened. Enraged, Patrick's father slaps him.
Patrick's relationship with his father is further strained as Patrick begins entering gay beauty pageants in secret. This leads his father to disown him. As he leaves, Patrick announces his new identity: Trisha Echeverria.
Trisha stayed at Barbs' house, with Barbs' mother's approval. She adopts an orphaned child named Adora, giving her a new name as Shirley Mae. Jobless, Trisha and Barbs continued to enter different pageants. Trisha often loses during the question-and-answer portion of these pageants. She then gets breast implants, thinking that it will help her win pageants.
Trisha dates a young gay club dancer named Miko. She even pays for Miko's rhinoplasty, but soon learns that Miko is having an affair with a gay beauty parlor owner, ending their relationship.
Trisha meets Jesse at a bar. Although Jesse is married, they start dating. On their sixth monthsary, Jesse fails to arrive. A month after, Jesse's wife Diana invites Trisha to the hospital where Jesse was confined due to leukemia. Jesse tells Trisha about his condition and confesses that their meeting was not accidental. Jesse is urged by his conscience as he was part of the group who gangraped Trisha during their teenage years. Although he tells Trisha that he grew to love her, Trisha is left distraught by the revelation and promptly leaves.
Trisha joined Binibining Gay Pilipinas and picks a question she had encountered before. She delivers her memorized answer well: saying that if she dies and gets to live again, she would choose to be nobody but herself. At backstage, Trisha jokingly tells Barbs that if she won the pageant, she is ready to die. She further envisions her wake to have a makeover as different celebrities every day. Trisha finally wins but dies shortly of cerebral aneurysm.
In the morgue, Trisha's father and sister arrive. Her father orders to have Trisha's breast implants removed. Beth disagrees. Their father ends up having Trisha dressed in a barong Tagalog, a garment traditionally worn to a deceased male. Barbs, Paola, and Erica are disappointed at the sight of their friend and asks for Beth's help to sneak out Trisha's corpse and give her the burial she wished for.
In the last day of her wake, Barbs announces that the final makeover of Trisha is what she really is: the Trisha they knew who lived a glamorous life. The movie ends with Trisha's final walk message, showing a younger version of herself.
Other celebrity transformations of Trisha during her wake are Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.
Die Beautiful is a film funded by Hong Kong – Asia Financing Forum and produced by Regal Entertainment, The IdeaFirst Company, and Octobertrain Films. [5] The film was directed by Jun Robles Lana and produced by Lily Monteverde, Roselle Monteverde and Perci Intalan. [3] [6] [7]
Die Beautiful was selected in the Main Competition of the Tokyo International Film Festival, which ran from October 25, 2016, to November 3, 2016. [8] [9]
The film is an official entry to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, and was screened at the 2017 Luang Prabang Film Festival.
At the awarding ceremony at the Tokyo International Film Festival which was held on November 3, 2016, at the Toho Cinemas in Roppongi Hills in Japan, Paolo Ballesteros was named the festival's Best Actor. The film also won the Audience Choice Award. [10] [11]
The jury was headed by French director Jean-Jacques Beineix, and included Hong Kong director Mabel Cheung, U.S. producer Nicole Rocklin, Italian actor Valerio Mastandrea and Japanese director Hideyuki Hirayama.
A total of 16 films, with Die Beautiful being the only one from the Philippines, were in competition.
It was announced that a sequel was in production to be a 12-part spin-off television series to be aired on Cignal Play entitled Born Beautiful with Paolo Ballesteros reprising his role and Martin del Rosario picking up the role of Barbs which was originally portrayed by Christian Bables. [12] [13] Instead, the producers decided to make it into a full-length film with majority of the story focusing on Barbs. [14]
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 29th Tokyo International Film Festival [15] | Audience Choice Award | Die Beautiful | Won |
Best Actor | Paolo Ballesteros | Won | ||
21st International Film Festival of Kerala [16] | Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance | Won | ||
42nd Metro Manila Film Festival [17] | Best Picture | Die Beautiful | Nominated | |
Best Director | Jun Lana | Nominated | ||
Best Actor | Paolo Ballesteros | Won | ||
Best Supporting Actor | Christian Bables | Won | ||
Best Supporting Actress | Gladys Reyes | Nominated | ||
Best Ensemble Cast | Die Beautiful | Nominated | ||
Best Screenplay | Rody Vera | Nominated | ||
Best Production Design | Angel Diesta | Nominated | ||
Best Float | Die Beautiful | Won | ||
MMFF My Most Favorite Film | Won | |||
2017 | Film Development Council of the Philippines [18] | Film Ambassadors Awardee | Paolo Ballesteros and Jun Lana | Won |
19th Gawad Pasado Awards [19] | Pinakapasadong Pelikula sa Kamalayang Pagkakapantay-pantay ng mga Kasarian | Die Beautiful | Won | |
Natatanging Gawad Pasado para sa Taong 2016 | Paolo Ballesteros | Won | ||
15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards [20] | Best Actor | Won | ||
Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students [21] | Won | |||
Gawad Bedista Awards 2017 [22] | Actor of the Year (Film) | Won | ||
48th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards [23] | Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist (Tokyo Best Actor) | Won | ||
1st Eddys Awards (Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards for Movies) [24] | Best Actor | Won | ||
Best Editing | Die Beautiful | Won | ||
Best Production Design | Won | |||
40th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actor | Paolo Ballesteros | Won | |
Best Supporting Actor | Christian Bables | Won | ||
Best Production Design | Angel Diesta | Nominated | ||
Best Editing | Benjamin Gonzales Tolentino | Nominated | ||
33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie of the Year | Die Beautiful | Won | |
Movie Director of the Year | Jun Lana | Won | ||
Movie Actor of the Year | Paolo Ballesteros | Nominated | ||
Movie Supporting Actor of the Year | Christian Bables | Nominated | ||
New Movie Actor of the Year | Nominated | |||
Movie Screenwriter of the Year | Rody Vera | Won | ||
Movie Cinematographer of the Year | Carlo Mendoza | Won | ||
Movie Production Designer of the Year | Angel Diesta | Nominated | ||
Movie Editor of the Year | Benjamin Tolentino | Won | ||
Movie Musical Scorer of the Year | Richard Gonzales | Nominated | ||
Movie Sound Engineer of the Year | Armand De Guzman and Lamberto Casas, Jr. | Nominated | ||
2018 | 5th Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards [26] | Best Film | Die Beautiful | Won |
Best Actor | Paolo Ballesteros | Won |
Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado is a Filipino actress and television presenter. Known for her roles in blockbusters and independent films, particularly drama, psychological thriller and horror, she has received a selection of accolades, including an Osaka Asian Film Festival Award, an Asian Television Award, a Gawad Urian, a Luna Award and three Metro Manila Film Festival Awards, in addition to nominations for five FAMAS Awards.
Gina Pareño is a Filipino actress. She is referred to as the "Queen of Philippine Melodrama", being best known for her award-winning portrayals in films like Kubrador, Serbis and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.
Paolo Elito Macapagal Ballesteros IV is a Filipino actor, comedian and drag queen. He has appeared in films and several TV shows, and he is currently one of the co-hosts of longtime noontime show Eat Bulaga! from 2001 until today, as well he is also the host of Drag Race Philippines.
Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe, popularly known as Lovi Poe, is a Filipino actress and recording artist. She is the daughter of action star Fernando Poe Jr.
Glaiza Castro Galura-Rainey, professionally known by her stage name Glaiza de Castro, is a Filipino actress, recording artist and television personality. Noted for her range in playing a wide range of roles, she is prominent in television and in mainstream, independent and socio-political films. Her performances have earned her accolades including a Luna Award and a Facine Film Festival Award, in addition to a number of nominations from the FAMAS Awards and Gawad Urian Awards.
Eugena Roxas Domingo-Bottoni is a Filipino actress, comedienne and host. She has performed in lead and supporting roles in various genres of the Philippine film industry. She is popularly known as the "Comedy Star for All Seasons" and was a sidekick of Ai-Ai delas Alas in the Ang Tanging Ina series (2003–2010), until her very first lead film role in Kimmy Dora in 2009. She is currently an exclusive artist of GMA Network.
Timothy Mark Pimentel Eigenmann, known professionally as Sid Lucero, is a Filipino actor and model. He won the 31st Gawad Urian Best Actor award for his role in Selda.
Gloria Anne Borrego Galla, known professionally as Gloria Romero, is a Filipino actress with a career spanning more than 70 years and over 250 acting credits. Referred to as the "First Lady of Philippine Cinema", she is noted for her sophisticated and demure image. Her work was in a range of genres, from romantic comedy to religious-family drama, and earned her various accolades, including two International Film Festival Manhattan Awards, six FAMAS Awards, three Gawad Urian Awards, three Luna Awards and numerous honorary lifetime achievement awards to her credit.
Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann, known professionally as Cherie Gil, was a Filipino actress. With a career spanning nearly 50 years, she was dubbed the "La Primera Contravida" for her acting prowess which landed her numerous antagonistic roles on film, television, and even on stage.
Barbara Ambas Forteza, professionally known as Barbie Forteza, is a Filipino actress and recording artist. She is the recipient of several accolades, including both international and local awards.
Lilieyen Santos, better known as Yen Santos, is a Filipino actress. She debuted on the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010, and gained mainstream recognition in Pure Love, a Philippine drama adaptation of the Korean drama 49 Days. She won the Best Actress award at the Gawad Urian Awards 2022 for the film A Faraway Land.
Ryzza Mae de Guzman Dizon is a Filipino teen actress and television personality. She rose to prominence in 2012 when she won that year's edition of Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines. She is currently the second youngest host in the variety show Eat Bulaga!
Allen Dizon, is a Filipino actor, model and producer. A former member of the Viva Hot Men, Dizon has transitioned from his early years in daring roles to become an independent film actor and producer.
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach-Jauncey, formerly known professionally as Pia Romero, is a Filipina model, actress and beauty queen who is known for winning Miss Universe 2015.
Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza-Atayde is a Filipino actress and television personality. She is best known for her viral Dubsmash videos and her role as Yaya Dub in the noontime reality show Eat Bulaga! segment "Kalyeserye", previously aired on GMA Network and worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. Her rise to fame is often described as phenomenal and unconventional due to the unscripted forming of AlDub love team in Eat Bulaga! on July 16, 2015, where she was paired with Alden Richards. AlDub is a portmanteau of Richards' first name and Mendoza's character in "Kalyeserye".
Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend? is a 2016 Philippine comedy-drama film directed by Jun Robles Lana, starring Anne Curtis, Dennis Trillo, Paolo Ballesteros. It was released on October 19, 2016, by Viva Films.
Christian Mercurio Bables, is a Filipino actor. He was declared Best Leading Actor at the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival for his character "Intoy" in the movie Signal Rock. He was also given a Best Supporting Actor Award at the Gawad Urian Awards for his trans woman character "Barbs" in the movie Die Beautiful.
The Panti Sisters is a 2019 Filipino comedy film directed by Jun Lana from a story and screenplay written by Ivan Andrew Payawal. Starring Paolo Ballesteros, Martin del Rosario and Christian Bables, the film revolves around the three gay sons challenge each other when their terminally-ill father offers them a share of inheritance if they will produce a grandchild for him before he dies.