''Smaller and Smaller Circles'' is a 2017 Philippine mystery drama film directed by Raya Martin with a screenplay by Ria Limjap and Moira Lang, based on the 2002 novel of the same name by F. H. Batacan. The film stars

Nonie Buencamino Anthony Buencamino (born November 28, 1966), professionally known as Nonie Buencamino, is a Filipino character actor known for his theater work. He is strongly associated with Philippine New Wave Cinema, playing roles such as Mayor Bartolome in Jun ...

and Sid Lucero as

Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...

priests and forensic investigators Gus Saenz and Jerome Lucero,

Carla Humphries Madeleine Lauren Humphries (born May 20, 1988), known professionally as Madeleine Humphries and formerly as Carla Humphries is an American-born Filipino actress and commercial model. Humphries is best known for her roles as Rita Arguelles in the ...

as journalist Joanna Bonifacio, with Gladys Reyes, Ricky Davao, Bembol Roco, TJ Trinidad,

Christopher De Leon Christopher Strauss de León (born October 31, 1956) is a Philippine film actor and politician. He is recognized as the “''King of Philippine Drama''” has appeared in over 120 films since the early 1970s. Regarded as an "acting genius" and ...

and Tessie Tomas in supporting roles. This is also the last film appearance of comedienne Joy Viado, who died of a heart attack in Quezon City, Diliman on September 10, 2016 at the age of 57.

Synopsis

Two Jesuit priests, Gus Saenz and Jerome Lucero perform forensic work to solve the mystery revolving around the murders of young boys in Payatas, one of Metro Manila's biggest

slum A slum is a highly populated urban residential area consisting of densely packed housing units of weak build quality and often associated with poverty. The infrastructure in slums is often deteriorated or incomplete, and they are primarily inh ...

areas. While dealing with the systematic corruption of the government, church, and the elite, the two priests delve into criminal profiling, crime scene investigation, and forensic analysis to solve the killings, and eventually, find the murderer.

Cast

as Father Augusto Saenz, SJ * Sid Lucero as Father Jerome Lucero, SJ *

as Joanna Bonifacio * Jun-jun Quintana as Dr. Alex Carlos * Gladys Reyes as Hon. Tess Mariano * Ricky Davao as Cardinal Rafael Meneses * Bembol Roco as NBI Deputy Director Francisco Lastimosa *

as NBI Deputy Director Phillip Mapa * TJ Trinidad as Deputy Jake Valdez * Tessie Tomas as Gilda Salceda * Alex Medina as Carding * Joy Viado as Assistant to Atty. Arcinas

Production

Several scenes in the film were shot on location at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Release

The film debuted in theaters in the Philippines on December 6, 2017. The film was made available on YouTube starting May 20, 2020.

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title, 7512304 2017 crime drama films 2010s mystery drama films Philippine crime drama films Philippine mystery films Philippine detective films Films set in the Philippines Films set in Manila Films based on crime novels Films about murder Films based on Philippine novels Films directed by Raya Martin