7.6 /10 1 Votes
Directed by Ben Yalung Cinematography Larry Manda Initial release 1996 (Philippines) Music director Lutgardo Labad | 7.5/10 IMDb Music by Lutgardo Labad Edited by George Jarlego Director Ben Yalung | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Written by Emmanuel H. BorlazaRuben Arthur NicdaoBen Yalung Starring Mat Ranillo IIICharmaine RiveraAmy AustriaRuel VernalRez CortezMichael Locsin Screenplay Ben Yalung, Emmanuel H. Borlaza, Ruben Arthur Nicdao Producers Horace Yalung, Renato G. Yalung, Romy G. Yalung Cast Mat Ranillo III, Amy Austria, Rez Cortez, Michael Locsin, Ruel Vernal Similar Divine Mercy sa buhay ni, Natutulog Pa Ang Diyos, A Plea to God, The Gospel of John, Mano Po 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kristo
Kristo is a 1996 Filipino cinematic interpretation of the life of Jesus Christ. Produced in 1996 by Cine Suerte Productions and Oasis of Love Movement (by Fr. Sonny Ramirez, OP, host of the telemagazine Sharing in the City), Kristo stars Mat Ranillo III in the title role, together with Rez Cortez (as Judas Iscariot), Ruel Vernal (Peter), Michael Locsin (John), freelance model and then college student Charmaine Rivera (in her first and only film appearance as the Virgin Mary), and Amy Austria (Mary Magdalene).
Contents
The film also includes an all-star cast in their cameo appearances playing various characters. Among them are Gabby Concepción (John the Baptist), husband-and-wife pair Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino (as Simon of Cyrene and Veronica respectively), Aga Muhlach (the demon-possessed man), Rachel Lobangco (the Temptress, in which Satan is in a female form in the temptation of the desert scene), Silvia Sanchez (the adulteress), Ang TV star and singer Lindsay Custodio (Salome), and Christopher de Leon (as Dimas as credited in the film).
Plot/setting
The film started on a prologue, What if the Story of the New testament was replaced the setting, from the Middle East to the Philippine Islands, What would be the Image and culture of the new testament look like?
The narrative of Kristo is based on the combined Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but imagined as occurring in Classical Filipino society with ethnic elements and some aspects of Ancient Rome and first-century Judaea. Kristo was shot in various locations such as Intramuros, Lawton and Luneta in Manila, as well as in Laguna and Pampanga.
The film starts with an open book presenting the Nativity of Jesus in the form of illustrations. Live action scenes or the flow of the story follows the next page 30 years after, beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Kristo cycles through the various episodes in Christ's ministry, his death, and resurrection, ending with his ascension and its illustrated version on the last page with a Biblical message.