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'Ang Larawan' movie musical gets rave review in Tokyo

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/11/01/larawan-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>A scene from Loy Arcenas&#x27; &#x27;Ang Larawan,&#x27; which made its premiere in Tokyo over the past weekend. <em>&#x27;Ang Larawan&#x27; website</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Its future in Philippine cinemas is still very much up in the air. </p><p>But from the looks it, Loy Arcenas&#x27;s &quot;Ang Larawan,&quot; the movie adaptation of the beloved Filipino musical of the same name, is well worth a screen or two in cinemas nationwide. </p><p>As film critic Richard Kuipers of <a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/the-portrait-review-1202601843/#article-comments">Variety</a> puts it, &quot;Ang Larawan&quot; is &quot;beautifully decorated and top-notch in every technical detail&quot; that is &quot;clearly made with the utmost love and care.&quot; </p><p>The Pinoy movie made its premiere at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival over the weekend, and is one of only 10 entries competing for the festival&#x27;s Asian Future Film prize.</p><p>It stars theater veterans Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro, and is based on the play &quot;A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino&quot; by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/entertainment/11/01/larawan-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>&#x27;Ang Larawan&#x27; leads Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro pose with co-star Paulo Avelino for a promotional photo. <em>&#x27;Ang Larawan&#x27; website</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>In his review, Kuipers praised Ampil and Alejandro&#x27;s performance as sisters Candida and Paula, respectively, who are struggling after their painter father falls ill and fails to produce art in years.</p><p>&quot;[Their] voices and performances soar as the sisters resist the temptation of a quick fix in the belief that their father&#x27;s work represents something far more valuable than money,&quot; he wrote.</p><p>Kuipers then noted the film&#x27;s aesthetics and pace, describing it as a &quot;crisply photographed tuner [that] zips along nicely toward its highly emotional and tremendously satisfying finale.&quot; </p><p>Rolando Tinio&#x27;s lyrics and Ryan Cayabyab&#x27;s music also get a mention, with Kuipers explaining that the combination of both helped &quot;create a highly effective atmosphere of doom, gloom and family turmoil before offering a ray of light.&quot;</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YdPlHCagu1k?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><p>&quot;Ang Larawan&quot; is produced by Culturtrain Musicat Productions. </p><p>It also stars Paulo Avelino, Robert Arevalo, Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, among others. Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Rayver Cruz have special roles. </p>