The Bit Player (2013 film)

The Bit Player
Film poster
FilipinoEkstra
Directed byJeffrey Jeturian
Written by
Produced by
StarringVilma Santos
CinematographyLee Briones
Edited by
  • Glenn M. Ituriaga
  • Zigcarlo Dulay
Music byVincent A. de Jesus
Production
companies
Distributed byStar Cinema
Release dates
  • July 27, 2013 (2013-07-27) (Cinemalaya)
  • August 14, 2013 (2013-08-14) (Philippines)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages

The Bit Player (Filipino: Ekstra) is a 2013 Filipino socio-realist drama-comedy film by Jeffrey Jeturian. The film stars Vilma Santos as Loida Malabanan, who spends her days dreaming of her big break while working with the country's best small screen actors.[1] The film competed under the Directors Showcase sidebar of 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. It topped the box office in all four venues of said festival.[2] The film was released in mainstream theaters by Star Cinema on August 14, as part of their 20th Anniversary offering.

The film had its international premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, set from September 5 to 15, under Contemporary World Cinema section.[3][4] It also showed at the 2013 San Diego Asian Film Festival.[5]

Plot

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The film follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation of the marginalized laborers like her.[6]

Cast

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Awards

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Gawad Tanglaw Awards 2014

    • Best Actress - (Vilma Santos)

13th Dhaka International Film Festival

    • Best Actress - (Vilma Santos)

2015 New York Festivals

    • Best Feature Film - Bronze[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Supreme's guide to Cinemalaya 2013". Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  2. ^ Cinmalaya Top Grosser
  3. ^ "The Bit Player". Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  4. ^ "Toronto Film Review: 'The Bit Player'". September 11, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "THE BIT PLAYER". Retrieved May 26, 2020 – via festival.sdaff.org.
  6. ^ "Ekstra". Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  7. ^ "Vilma Santos' Ekstra bags bronze in the 2015 New York Festivals". Retrieved April 15, 2015.
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