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For the first time, Sunshine Cruz is starring in a film competing in the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. She plays the lead character Nora Simeon in “Malamaya.”

The character is a pessimistic uninspired middle-aged artist who is led to a path of creative and sexual reawakening by a young photographer named Migs, who is played by Enzo Pineda. But “Malamaya” is not just another May-December romance movie.

READ MORE: Love advice from ‘Malamaya’ star Sunshine Cruz on toxic relationships

On July 8, 2019, Cruz took to Instagram to clarify that “Malamaya” is not just about the sexy scenes involving Nora and Migs. She described the film as beautiful, different and challenging.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzpvBwVhJ_h/?utm_source=ig_embed

READ MORE: ‘Malamaya’ star Enzo Pineda feels blessed to have worked with Sunshine Cruz, Raymond Bagatsing

“Malamaya” was directed by Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez, who co-wrote the screenplay with Liberty Trinidad. Joining them in the production team were cinematographer Ian Marasigan, production designer Kim Perez and editor Estela Paiso.

Media East Productions was in charge of the original music score and sound of “Malamaya.” Among Cruz and Pineda’s co-stars are Raymond Bagatsing and Bernadette Allyson.

Including “Malamaya,” there are 10 full-length finalists for 2019 Cinemalaya. The others are “An1” by Kim Zuniga and Sandro del Rosario, “Annak ti Karayan” (Children of the River) by Maricel Cariaga, “Belle Douleur” by Joji Alonso, “Fucc Bois” by Eduardo Roy, Jr., “Iska” by Theodore Boborol, “John Denver Trending” by Arden Rod Condez, “Pandanggo” by Sheryl Rose Andes, “Tabon” by Xian Lim and “Ward” by Thop Nazareno.

Watch the trailer of Cruz’s Cinemala debut here: