So if a 2-hour movie costs about PHP200, does it mean that we need to pay PHP800 to watch Lav Diaz’s 8-hour award-winning masterpiece? Thankfully, not.
Cinema Bravo announced that a ticket to the movie costs PHP150 to PHP500, depending upon the venue.
Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) will be shown in Philippine cinemas on March 26.
It is the longest feature film to be shown in cinemas. The length is equivalent to about four regular movies. The opus won a Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.
The movie is an interesting mix of history, folklore and social commentary. It features popular heartrobs John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual.
The movie is now being distributed by Star Cinema. Popular celebrities even campaigned for it with the “Hele challenge” where they encourage the Filipino audience to test their endurance by watching the 8-hour film.
As suggested by Lav Diaz himself, there will be breaks every three hours.
Where is the cheapest cinema? Gaisano Mall Davao and Gaisano Mall Tagum just charge PHP150. On the other hand, Uptown Mall Taguig, Newport Cinema, TriNoma and Glorieta 4 are the most expensive at PHP500.
Here’s a list of cinemas showing the movie:
PHP200 ticket–Cinematheque Centre Manila
PHP300 ticket– Robinsons Metro East,Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Iloilo, Robinsons Bacolod
PHP400 ticket– SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM, Manila, SM Fairview, Market! Market and Fairview Terraces, Lucky Chinatown, Greenhills
PHP500 ticket- Glorietta, TriNoma, Newport Cinemas, Uptown Cinema
