Two years after the box-office and success of “Heneral Luna”, film director Jerrold Tarog is back with a shocking new film. The psychosexual thriller, “Bliss” is Tarog’s tenth full-length film, and it’s becoming his most controversial project to date.

Winning an International award and the controversy

The film had its world premiere at the Osaka Asian Film Festival last March, earning rave reviews from festival critics and audiences. Calzado also bagged the coveted Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performance for her outstanding performance—the first International award for the versatile actress.

“Bliss”, however, made headlines after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) gave the film an “X” rating during its first review, potentially banning the film from any commercial public screenings. The director and producers immediately submitted an appeal for reconsideration. After a second review, the film has now been reclassified to an R-18 rating.

Iza Calzado, Jerrold Tarog visit Cebu City to promote new movie, Bliss

Jerrold Tarog and Iza Calzado arrived in Cebu City for the private screening of the uncut version of the film earlier today, April 20, 2017, at Robinsons Galleria Cebu. Members of the media, filmmakers and Cebu bloggers were invited to the event and were able to ask questions during the press conference.

Tarog admins that the initial rating of MTRCB to the film took him by surprise. While the film contained a lot of mature content, the director strongly believes that the Filipino audience is more than capable handling a film like “Bliss”.

Despite the controversy, Tarog remains optimistic. He is already looking forward to the opinions and conversations the movie will create.

“Bliss” stars Iza Calzado, Ian Veneracion, TJ Trinidad, Adrienne Vergara, Michael de Mesa, Shamaine Buenacamino, Audie Gemora, and Stephanie Sol.

The film is produced by TBA (Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment, and Artikulo Uno Production), and is distributed by Quantum Films.

The film “Bliss” will be open in cinemas nationwide on May 10.

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