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418:. Despite initial concerns about Rivera’s availability due to her busy schedule, a successful script reading and shared political perspectives led to her agreement to join the project. Rivera stated that she did not want to use a body double in her role in the film. She also dismissed concerns about potential injuries, noting that the adrenaline and focus required for acting made her forget about the risk of getting hurt. She believed that if she focused on the possibility of injury, it would negatively impact her performance. Actor,
538:, Dy noted that the film touches on widely accepted issues: flawed elections, a lack of good candidates, and the positive role of teachers. The review criticized the film’s approach to political satire as toothless, stating that it reiterates known points without adding depth. However, as mainstream entertainment, it could be seen as edgy. He praised Rivera's performance, describing her as the film's fun and profane moral center, playing a whirlwind of a woman who is not afraid to flip people off or yell at them.
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containing the last copy of the election results. Armed only with her resourcefulness, courage and wit, she tries to outmaneuver the goons who want the elections to fail. Her loved ones and community are caught in the crossfire as she pays an increasingly steep price for defending the democratic process.
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is a longstanding issue, it doesn’t have to be inevitable. He highlighted the prevalence of violence in
Philippine elections, including poll officials being murdered, widespread vote-buying, and corrupt state forces. "We made a film about people who are sick and tired of having the rich and powerful
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praised Rivera’s performance, calling her the best part of the movie. He described her character as bold and righteous, noting that Rivera acts as the film's moral center while engaging in defiant and provocative behavior. Dy suggested that Rivera’s role makes her the hero the film—and perhaps even
518:
as part of her coverage of
Cinemalaya films. She praised Rivera for her committed portrayal of Teacher Emmy, a character who stands up for what is right while handcuffed to a ballot box. However, Mayo criticized the film’s comedic and theatrical elements, However, Mayo criticized the film’s comedic
305:
During the 2007 elections, a former sexy star and a land-grabbing tycoon are in a tight race for mayor. Emmy, a strict yet popular teacher in a small town, is assigned to the Board of
Election Inspectors for her local precinct. When violence erupts, she runs into the forest with a ballot box
409:
as Emmy, a teacher responsible for safeguarding a crucial ballot box during a politically charged crisis. Oebanda praised Rivera for her profound emotional range and commitment to the role. He first considered Rivera for the film after watching her performance in a pandemic-era rendition of
475:
The film's official teaser was released on July 5, 2024, providing an initial look at the film. The official poster was revealed on July 12, 2024. The 30-seconds official trailer was released on July 22, 2024. The film is scheduled to be released on
October 16, 2024.
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and theatrical approach, which she felt weakened its potential for strong, impactful commentary. She described the film as aiming for crowd-pleasing rather than delivering a subtle and effective message, ultimately giving it a 2 out of 5 stars rating.
31:
326:
as Emmy, a teacher in a small town. During the local election, Emmy is assigned to the Board of
Election Inspectors for her precinct. As violence erupts, she must flee into the forest with a ballot box containing the final copy of the election
443:(2023). Oebanda's casting choices reflect a desire to question traditional political narratives and highlight the contributions of women and LGBTQ+ individuals in political activism. The film is co-produced by
545:
praised Rivera's performance in the film, calling it "such an admirable act". He commends Rivera's talent and significant contribution to the film, noting her role as a standout element in the production.
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take their power and voice away from them", Oebanda stated. He also referenced the silent martyrs, such as teachers Nellie Banaag and
Filomena Tatlonghari, who died defending the ballot box.
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After a week of festival run, the film was revealed to be one of the top two performing films in terms of ticket sales, and was given additional screenings by the
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as Emmy, a teacher who is thrust into a dangerous situation during a volatile local election. Assigned to the Board of
Election Inspectors, she must protect a
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Society of
Filipino Film Reviewers included the film in their top three films for the festival, with an average rating of 3.63 out of 5 stars rating.
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containing the final election results when violence erupts in her town. The supporting cast includes
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Critical reception for the film is generally positive. According to review aggregator site
802:"'Balota': Marian Rivera performs all her scenes without body double - The Filipino Times"
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1069:"Cinemalaya Reviews - 'Alipato at Muog,' 'Balota,' 'Kono Basho,' 'The Hearing,' 'Kantil'"
1140:"John Arcilla commends Marian Rivera for 'Balota' role: 'It is such an admirable act'"
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726:"'Balota': 6 things that stood out in Marian Rivera's first Cinemalaya film"
700:"'Balota': 6 things that stood out in Marian Rivera's first Cinemalaya film"
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1177:"Marian Rivera, Gabby Padilla share Best Actress Award in Cinemalaya 2024"
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known for as Sassa Gurl and Esnyr
Ranollo, recognized for his role in
451:. In addition to Rivera, the supporting cast includes Royce Cabrera,
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929:"Marian Rivera says 'Balota' serves as reminder why voting matters"
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955:"GMA Pictures drops 15-second teaser of Marian Rivera's "Balota""
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1031:'Balota' starring Marian Rivera among Cinemalaya box office hits
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Society of
Filipino Film Reviewers, August 11 Facebook post
903:"Kip Oebanda's 'Balota' a response to the 2022 elections"
405:(2017), Oebanda also helmed this project. The film stars
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film written and directed by Kip Oebanda. The film stars
1006:"'Balota' starring Marian Rivera drops official trailer"
422:, who plays Enzo in the film, is also part of the cast.
877:""Balota" pays tribute to teachers during election day"
850:"Why 'Balota' Is A More Important Movie Than You Think"
825:"Will Ashley, puspusan ang paghahanda para sa 'Balota'"
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2024 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival
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980:"Marian Rivera's 'Balota' unveils official poster"
777:"Marian, maraming pinahanga sa version ng Himala"
1043:"🟦 [72] Balota (2024) | Critic Reviews"
629:"Columbia Pictures to distribute GMA Pictures'
433:The film features social media personalities
16:2024 Philippine political thriller drama film
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449:Film Development Council of the Philippines
295:Film Development Council of the Philippines
138:Film Development Council of the Philippines
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1120:"All 10 Cinemalaya 2024 Movies, Reviewed"
875:Gorecho, Atty Dennis (August 7, 2024).
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724:YAP, JADE VERONIQUE (August 5, 2024).
698:YAP, JADE VERONIQUE (August 5, 2024).
662:https://cinemalaya.org/schedules-2024/
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7:
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953:Fuente, Stacy dela (July 7, 2024).
318:Marian Rivera portrays Teacher Emmy
1067:Mayo, Stephanie (August 2, 2024).
927:Mallorca, Hannah (July 12, 2024).
467:, and commedianne, Donna Cariaga.
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440:Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme
261:, Royce Cabrera, Raheel Bhyria,
1118:Dy, Philbert (August 9, 2024).
1094:"A ★★★ review of Balota (2024)"
447:, GMA Entertainment Group, and
281:. The film was featured in the
273:, Donna Cariaga, Joel Saracho,
959:Kami.com.ph - Philippines news
635:KMJS' Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie
532:the nation—needs. Writing for
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184:October 16, 2024
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173:August 3, 2024
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1237:Filipino-language films
291:GMA Entertainment Group
158:Sony Pictures Releasing
133:GMA Entertainment Group
591:2024 Cinemalaya Awards
559:Accolades received by
508:Stephanie Mayo of the
372:Joel Saracho as Pastor
369:Donna Cariaga as Anita
348:Raheel Bhyria as Jimbo
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1257:Films about elections
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285:. It was produced by
235:) is 2024 Philippine
74:Lilybeth G. Rasonable
643:. September 5, 2024
641:GMA Integrated News
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1242:GMA Pictures films
901:Tomada, Nathalie.
829:www.gmanetwork.com
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497:Critical reception
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237:political thriller
71:Nessa S. Valdellon
1262:Films set in 2007
1183:. August 11, 2024
823:Mariano, Dianne.
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571:Date of ceremony
455:, Raheel Bhyria,
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343:Nico Antonio
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267:Felix Petate
259:Nico Antonio
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200:Running time
128:GMA Pictures
18:
631:Green Bones
523:Philbert Dy
420:Will Ashley
331:Will Ashley
255:Will Ashley
212:Philippines
204:102 minutes
65:Produced by
60:Kip Oebanda
52:Kip Oebanda
44:Kip Oebanda
41:Directed by
1227:2024 films
1221:Categories
1187:August 11,
1150:August 10,
1103:August 10,
1078:August 10,
1052:August 18,
860:August 10,
808:August 10,
755:Cinemalaya
678:Cinemalaya
615:References
528:Letterboxd
491:Cinemalaya
485:Box office
389:Production
384:as Hidalgo
378:as Edralin
354:as Melissa
251:ballot box
231:(English:
188:2024-10-16
177:2024-08-03
117:Production
95:Tey Clamor
49:Written by
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990:August 9,
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912:August 9,
886:August 9,
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735:August 9,
709:August 9,
683:August 9,
574:Category
553:Accolades
514:reviewed
480:Reception
465:Mae Paner
457:Sue Prado
382:Mae Paner
352:Sue Prado
279:Mae Paner
263:Sue Prado
156:(through
119:companies
100:Edited by
751:"BALOTA"
674:"BALOTA"
402:Bar Boys
327:results.
301:Synopsis
293:and the
220:Filipino
217:Language
108:Music by
82:Starring
1125:spot.ph
580:Result
541:Actor,
535:Spot.ph
471:Release
360:as Babe
345:as Migs
333:as Enzo
209:Country
186: (
175: (
1207:Balota
568:Award
561:Balota
516:Balota
412:Himala
277:, and
240:satire
233:Ballot
228:Balota
24:Balota
396:Liway
243:drama
1212:IMDb
1189:2024
1152:2024
1105:2024
1080:2024
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310:Cast
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
