Separada (English: A Separated Woman) is a 1994 Philippine melodrama film directed by Chito S. Roño from a screenplay written by Ricky Lee and Tessie Tomas. The film stars Maricel Soriano and Edu Manzano, who were separated in real life in 1991, as the married couple whose marriage became dysfunctional when the husband committed an affair with another woman, leaving his wife to take care their two children single-handedly.[1] It also includes the special participation of Eddie Rodriguez, Liza Lorena, and Lani Mercado, and the introduction of then-child stars Patrick Garcia and Angelica Panganiban in cinema.
| Separada | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Chito S. Roño |
| Screenplay by | |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jose Batac Jr. |
| Edited by | Joe Solo |
| Music by | Nonong Buencamino |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Star Cinema |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Produced and distributed by Star Cinema, the film was theatrically released on 12 October 1994 and became successful at the box office and critical reception.[2] In 2018, the film was digitally restored and remastered by ABS-CBN Film Restoration, in partnership with Central Digital Lab.[3]
Synopsis
editMelissa became a single parent to their two children, Vincent and Jenny, when she discovered that her husband Dodie committed an affair with another woman.
Cast
edit- Maricel Soriano as Melissa
- Edu Manzano as Dodie
- Sharmaine Arnaiz as Sandy
- Patrick Garcia as Vincent
- Angelica Panganiban as Jenny
- Liza Lorena as Carmela
- Eddie Rodriguez as Melissa's Daddy
- Lani Mercado as Susan
- Raquel Villavicencio as Mabel
- Ai-Ai Delas Alas as Cookie
- Teresa Loyzaga as Benny
- Mandy Ochoa as Cyrus
- Lloyd Umali as Sonny
- Dennis Roldan as Arman
- Ronnie Lazaro as Hector
- Ramon Recto as Carlo
- Gamaliel Viray as Atty. Serafio
- Khryss Adalia as Commercial Director
- Idda Yaneza as Manang Bella
- Madeleine Nicolas as Teacher
- Estrella Antonio as Cook / Maid
- Streetboys as Commercial Dancers
- Mimi Yaptiongco as Maid
Production
editDirector Chito S. Roño directed many films of different genres including family dramas and romance and when it comes to directing films about "separation", he decided to make Separada unique from most films about the said subject. He said that he wanted to direct a film "that is sophisticated, something different from the usual domestic melodrama" and departs the idea of a woman going into a state of sadness and despair when her husband ditches her for the mistress.[4]
Sharmaine Arnaiz, who was cast as Sandy in the film, said that she is not concerned and worried about typecasting her as the "mistress" and she admitted that the film relates to her because the separation between Maricel and Edu's respective characters are reminiscent to her parents' separation.[5]
Reception
editCritical reception
editChantal Ramos, a reviewer for Sinegang.PH, gave the film four out of five stars, praising its plot, direction, acting performances, and emotional impact to the audience. According to Ramos, the film is described as "a querida movie that, for once, prizes authenticity over sensationalism" and "a stark contrast" to the other film also helmed by Roño, Lee, and Soriano, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.[6]
References
edit- ^ Japitana, Norma (7 October 1994). "Maricel and Edu: Together again". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 18. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Japitana, Norma (16 November 1994). "The message from Marilou Diaz-Abaya". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 22. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ ABS-CBN Corporation Communications (12 March 2021). "'Separada' leads Ricky Lee Festival by ABS-CBN Film Restoration on KTX" (Press release). Quezon City, Metro Manila: ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Chito Roño: Portrait of a ("bad") director". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. 16 October 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Sharmaine Arnaiz: Hardly the other woman". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. 11 October 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Ramos, Chantal (17 March 2021). ""Separada" REVIEW: What all querida movies should be". Sinegang.PH. Retrieved 10 August 2024.