''Culion'' is a 2019

historical drama A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...

film directed by

Alvin Yapan Vim Yapan, also known as Alvin Yapan is a Filipino director. Filmography TV * Titser Iza Calzado Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado-Wintle (born August 12, 1982), known professionally as Iza Calzado (), is a Filipino actress, television host, dancer and model. She is dubbed as the "''Goddess of Horror Films''" by local media for her acting prowe ...

Jasmine Curtis-Smith Jasmine Cassandra Curtis-Smith (; born April 6, 1994) is a Filipino-Australian actress, host, dancer, endorser, writer, and model. She is known internationally for her critically acclaimed performance in Hannah Espia's 2013 film ''Transit (2013 ...

, and

Meryll Soriano Mary Rosalind Soriano Revillame (born December 9, 1982), known professionally as Meryll Soriano, is a multi-awarded actress in the Philippines. Career Meryll Soriano started acting as a child star during the early 90s appearing in "The Maricel ...

. Set in the 1940s, it tells the story of three women seeking a cure of

leprosy Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria ''Mycobacterium leprae'' or ''Mycobacterium lepromatosis''. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This nerve damag ...

. The name derives from the eponymous island in

Palawan Palawan (), officially the Province of Palawan ( cyo, Probinsya i'ang Palawan; tl, Lalawigan ng Palawan), is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the region of Mimaropa. It is the largest province in the country in ...

once known as a major leper colony.

Synopsis

Three women afflicted with leprosy live a life of stigmatization in Culion at a time when the disease is considered a life sentence.

Cast

Main cast

Special guest appearance

John Lloyd Cruz John Lloyd Espidol Cruz (born June 24, 1983) is a Filipino actor, model and occasional TV host. He was a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, where he is an alumnus of Batch 5. He starred in the teen drama '' Tabing Ilog'', and is best known for his ...

Supporting cast

Production

''Culion'' was produced under iOptions Ventures Corp. which is owned by Palawan-based businesspersons Peter and Gilie Sing. The film is the first produced by the production studio. ''Culion'' was directed by Alvin Yapan with the script made by Ricky Lee, the cinematography by Neil Daza, and the production by Mark Shandii Bacolod. The production team sought consent from the local leaders and residents of Culion to produce their film on the island and promised to have the film screened first on the island. They also secured an endorsement from Dr. Arturo Cunanan Jr., head of the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, and Virginia de Vera, the town's mayor. Filming took two weeks with a crew of about 150 people.

Release

The film had its world premiere at Culion, Palawan on December 14, 2019, in honor of the island's past. It had a wider release on December 25, 2019 as one of the eight entries of the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Reception

Accolades

References

External links

Official Facebook page
* {{MMFF 2019 films Filipino-language films Philippine historical films Films set in Palawan Films set in the 1940s Films about infectious diseases Works about leprosy