Kristo (1996 film)


Kristo is a 1996 Filipino cinematic interpretation of the life of Jesus Christ. Produced by Cine Suerte Productions and Oasis of Love Movement, Kristo stars Mat Ranillo III in the title role, together with Rez Cortez, Ruel Vernal, Michael Locsin, freelance model and then college student Charmaine Rivera, and Amy Austria.
The film also includes an all-star cast in their cameo appearances playing various characters. Among them are Gabby Concepción, husband-and-wife pair Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, Aga Muhlach, Rachel Lobangco, Silvia Sanchez, Ang TV star and singer Lindsay Custodio, and Christopher de Leon.

Plot/setting

The film started on a prologue, "if the story of the New Testament replaced the setting from the Middle East to the Philippine Islands, what would the image and culture of the New Testament look like?"
The narrative of Kristo is based on the combined Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but imagined as occurring in Classical Filipino society with ethnic elements and some aspects of Ancient Rome and first-century Judaea. Kristo was shot in various locations such as Intramuros, Lawton and Luneta in Manila, as well as in Laguna and Pampanga.
The film starts with an open book presenting the Nativity of Jesus in the form of illustrations. Live action scenes or the flow of the story follows the next page 30 years after, beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Kristo cycles through the various episodes in Christ's ministry, his death, and resurrection, ending with his ascension and its illustrated version on the last page with a Biblical message.

Cast

Major roles