Contemporary World Film Series: CRYING LADIES from the Philippines

          And the Contemporary World Film Series continues—with humor, heart, and resilience from the Philippines!

         TK Park, in partnership with the Embassy of the Philippines in Thailand, invites you to the next screening in the 2025 Contemporary World Film Series: Crying Ladies (2003), a bittersweet comedy-drama by acclaimed Filipino director Mark Meily.

          The screening will take place at the Learning Auditorium, TK Park, 8th floor, centralwOrld, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Auditorium opens at 3:30 PM). Admission is free, but advance registration is required (details below).

          The program is curated by Lekha Shankar and supported by the Embassy of the Philippines in Thailand. H.E. Mrs. Millicent Cruz-Paredes, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Thailand, will introduce the film. Following the screening, the Embassy will host a reception with snacks and drinks for all registered guests.

          Details

          Runtime: 1 HR 51 MINS

          Language: original soundtrack with English subtitles

          Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025

          Time: 4:00 PM  (Auditorium opens at 3:30 PM)

          Venue: Learning Auditorium, TK Park (8th Floor, above TOPS Food Hall, centralwOrld)

          Registration: email to filmforum17@gmail.com (Seats are limited. Registration is mandatory, and no walk-ins will be accepted.) Dress code: Smart Casual

          Trailer: YouTube↗

          About the Film

          It’s not often you come across a story that is at once funny and poignant, painful yet meaningful, outwardly sorrowful yet inwardly amusing. Crying Ladies is all this, and more.

          The film follows three “professional mourners” hired by Wilson, the son of a wealthy Filipino-Chinese family in Manila’s Chinatown, to grieve the death of his father and uphold the Chinese funeral tradition of hiring mourners. Each of these women is facing a personal crisis:

• Stella, a struggling single mother who dearly loves her son but cannot afford to raise him.

• Aling, a former B-movie actress clinging to the fading glory of her past roles.

• Choleng, a devout woman tormented by guilt over an affair with a married man.

          Amid the theatrical wailing and ceremonial grief, the women reveal their private sorrows, struggles, dreams, and hopes. The film balances humor with deeply moving, thought-provoking moments while highlighting core Filipino values such as love of family, the importance of community, and the bayanihan spirit. Despite their hardships, the women show determination and a desire to overcome adversity, reflecting the Filipino spirit of humor amid hardship and resilience overall.

          A genuine feel-good movie, Crying Ladies won several awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival and was selected as the Philippines’ official entry to the Academy Awards. It also captured the hearts of critics and audiences at film festivals around the world, including in Asia, Europe, North America, and Canada.

          What the Press said

          Los Angeles Times: ‘An endearing comedy that deftly blends sentiment and grit, and features a clutch of top Filipino stars.’

          Hollywood Reporter: ‘Winning performances by its trio of stars who convey their characters’ desperation with humour and poignancy. ‘

          Variety: ‘A heart-warming little film with charming performances by the ladies.’

          Additional Information

          1. Free movie screening. For non-TK Park members, there is a daily entry fee of 20 baht. Unlimited entry and exit within the day. Annual TK Park membership is also available. See details here.↗

          2. TK Park does not offer free parking stamps. Parking fees are subject to the terms and conditions of centralwOrld.