Ekstra Full Trailer Video | 2013 Cinemalaya Movie Entry

Ekstra (The Bit Player) is a socio-realist drama-comedy film, which follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan played by Vilma Santos as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation on the marginalized laborers like her.


Santos insisted that she should do her physical scenes herself. Zig Dulay, one of the writers, revealed: “Challenging yung mga ginawa niya [Ate Vi], to the point na na-deglamorized siya. May eksena na kailangan siyang sampalin. Totoong siya yung nasampal…ayaw niyang magpa-double kasi gusto raw niya ma-try talaga.”

According to Direk Jeffrey Jeturian, they shot the film with Ate Vi for twelve days in a span of two months.  

Some of the biggest names in showbiz agreed to be part of this Cinemalaya entry.Marian Rivera is paired with Piolo Pascual in a fictional teleserye. Cherie Gilportrays the kontrabida who beats up Loida’s character and even tortures her by burning her skin using lighted cigarettes. Richard Yap also has a cameo role as the star of another teleserye where Loida serves as a bit player.

Ekstra (The Bit Player) is showing in CCP and selected Ayala Cinemas from July 26 to August 4, 2013 as part of Cinemalaya Film Festival Directors Showcase category.