Now Showing Poster

Now Showing 2008

★ 7.45 votes280 min📅 2008-05-22

Filipino director Raya Martin's *Now Showing (2008)* unfolds like a love letter to cinema itself, weaving a delicate tapestry of memory, nostalgia, and the quiet magic of storytelling.

Director: Raya Martin

Cast

Ness Roque
Ness Roque
Young Rita
Adriana Agcaoili
Mom
Antônio Vianna
Daisy Carino
Tita
Maila Romero
Grownup Rita
Via Antonio
Via Antonio
Arianne

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Now Showing (2008) about?

The film follows Rita, a young woman named after a classic Hollywood star, who works at her aunt's stall selling pirated DVDs while grappling with her family's ties to showbiz. As she uncovers fragments of a forgotten pre-war movie, the story unfolds as a poetic reflection on how cinema shapes lives and preserves legacies.

Who directed Now Showing?

Raya Martin, a Filipino filmmaker known for his evocative storytelling and visual poetry, directed *Now Showing*.

Who stars in Now Showing?

The film stars Ness Roque, Adriana Agcaoili, Antônio Vianna, Daisy Carino, and Maila Romero in pivotal roles.

Is Now Showing (2008) worth watching?

With its dreamy atmosphere and thematic depth, *Now Showing* is a niche but rewarding experience for fans of slow-burn dramas and meta-cinematic storytelling. While it lacks an IMDb rating, its ambition and visual craftsmanship make it a standout in independent Filipino cinema.

How long is Now Showing?

The film has a runtime of 280 minutes, offering an immersive cinematic journey.

🎥 Trailer

About Now Showing (2008) — Manila's cinematic journey through memory and pirated reels

Filipino director Raya Martin's *Now Showing (2008)* unfolds like a love letter to cinema itself, weaving a delicate tapestry of memory, nostalgia, and the quiet magic of storytelling. Set against the bustling backdrop of Manila's oldest districts, the film centers on Rita, a spirited young woman named after a golden-era Hollywood icon, whose life becomes intertwined with the flickering glow of pirated DVDs and the haunting traces of a lost pre-war film. Through Martin's deliberate pacing and poetic visuals, the narrative explores the enduring power of cinema to shape identities, preserve legacies, and bridge generations. The atmosphere is dreamlike yet grounded, blending the grit of everyday life with the ethereal allure of the silver screen.

At its heart, *Now Showing* is a tender meditation on how stories—both told and untold—define us. Rita's world revolves around a bustling market stall selling pirated films, where she navigates the tension between her own dreams and the realities of her family's struggles. Meanwhile, the discovery of fragmented footage from a vanished film becomes a metaphor for the fleeting nature of fame and the resilience of art. With a runtime that allows for deep immersion, Martin crafts a cinematic experience that feels both intimate and expansive, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationship with movies.