Cinemalaya 20's opening film features young boy's journey to beasthood

A regional film by Sheron Dayoc chronicling the journey of a fifteen-year-old boy to beasthood, The Gospel of the Beast, will open the twentieth edition of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival this August 2, 2024, 7PM at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinemas 2, 7, 9, and 10). 

Headlined by actors Jansen Magpusao and Ronnie Lazaro, The Gospel of the Beast is a coming-of-age film about Mateo, a 15-year-old boy known for being a troublemaker in school but possessing a genuine heart for his two siblings. He assumed the role of man of the house after his father went missing, doing his best to care for them. However, a confrontation with his schoolmate escalates into violence when Mateo accidentally takes the life of his rival. With nowhere else to turn, Mateo seeks help from a man he barely knows, Berto, who persuades him to run away and introduces him to the world of the syndicate. 

Over time, Berto evolves into a father figure for Mateo, and as their unique father-son relationship grows, Mateo gradually learns the harsh realities of life. But when his best friend is slayed and the secret of his father’s passing is revealed, Mateo finally loses himself to violence and despair, falling into a trap on his ultimate journey into beasthood.

Mateo's story is based on a deep, dark secret held by someone close to Dayoc's family, whom he knows to be a caring and loving person. “He candidly shared with me that until he started working for our family, he used to be a hitman for a vigilante group in my hometown,” shared director Dayoc.

While the fact that the film is set in the Philippines, Dayoc emphasized that its themes are universal. "In a world that continues to grapple with various forms of violence, including war, domestic abuse, modern-day slavery, and other affronts to human dignity, the story speaks to the broader human experience—the struggle for justice and enduring hope—through the character of Mateo."

The Gospel of the Beast won Best Feature Film Award at the 2024 Bali International Film Festival and was nominated as Best Film at the 2023 Tokyo International Film Festival.

For its 20th year, bannering the theme “Cinemalaya Bente: Loob Lalim Lakas,” the festival kicks off with a work that seeks to raise awareness of the terrible consequences of accepting or staying silent about the rising acts of violence in our community, and resonates with audience and encourages a shared commitment to change and healing in the face of hardship.

Over the course of two decades, Cinemalaya has identified, championed, and supported more than 200 cinematic efforts from both seasoned and emerging filmmakers who bravely explored and portrayed various social issues with artistic integrity. 

Catch The Gospel of the Beast for FREE on August 2, 2024, 7PM at the Cinemas 2, 7, 9 and 10 of Ayala Malls Manila Bay. 

Tickets to the screening will be given on a first-come, first-served basis two hours before the screening schedule. 

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages and other social media accounts on X, Instagram, and TikTok.