Victor Villanueva’s ‘Kusina Kings’ starts screening abroad
TFC at the Movies kicks off the month of August with a buffet of comedic proportions in “Kusina Kings” which starts screening today in Brunei and Papua New Guinea, August 3 in Saipan, the US and Canada, and August 9 in the Middle East.
“Kusina Kings” tells the story of forever best friends Ronnie (Zanjoe Marudo) and Benjie (Empoy Marquez), who have been buddies through good times and bad. Benjie is the chef-entrepreneur, while Ronnie is a klutz in the kitchen. As their restaurant struggles to take off, Benjie takes on the Kusina Kings Challenge where they will be competing with rival contender Gian Nyeam (Ryan Bang).
A pinch of culinary blunders, a dash of bizarre occurrences, a sprinkle of naughty humor, and a generous serving of comedic genius make a recipe for a sidesplitting, gratifying movie. This comedy is helmed by Victor Villanueva who directed the criticallyacclaimed indie film “Patay na si Hesus.”
Villanueva admits that while his black comedy “Patay na si Hesus” went for a deadpan style of humor, his first mainstream movie, “Kusina Kings,” wears its comedy on its sleeve. He also reveals he drew inspiration from anime shows like “Cooking Master Boy” and “Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma.”
“Kusina Kings” is Marudo’s comeback to comedy after his remarkable portrayals in movies like “Bromance” and “Kimmy Dora” (2013) and the TV series “My Illegal Wife” (2014).
Marquez, meanwhile, continues to spread his box-office charm coming from his blockbuster hits last year, the suspense thriller “Bloody Crayons” and hit indie movie “Kita Kita.”
Marudo said that he and Marquez have talked about doing a project together and he is glad that it finally happened.
“Kusina Kings” also stars Tiny Corpuz, Jun Sabayton, Joma Labayen, Hyubs Azarcon, Nonong Ballinan, Nathalie Hart, and Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina.