Director Pedring Lopez is still in toe with neo-noir actioner, Shadow Transit featuring actress and recording artist Qymira and actor/martial artist Yoshi Sudarso. The film is currently poised for a screening in the QC Selects section of this year’s 13th QCinema International Film Festival which kicks off in Quezon City on November 14, and the first official keyart piece is out for its festival run.
In the neon-soaked underbelly of Poblacion, Makati, a chance encounter between Celeste, a jaded singer-songwriter and street photographer on a 24-hour layover, and Kai, a rebellious expat Indonesian-American DJ, sparks a whirlwind night of music, fleeting romance, and escalating danger.
When Kai’s past catches up to them in the form of Raul Vergara, a ruthless crime boss, and his volatile nephew, Sarin Vergara, what starts as a night of adventure turns into a desperate fight for survival. After a violent altercation leaves Sarin wounded, Celeste and Kai must evade their relentless pursuers, racing through Manila’s labyrinthine streets toward the airport bus terminal before dawn.
With time running out and no way back, Shadow Transit is a pulse-pounding neo-noir thriller, blending romantic longing, underground music culture, and relentless suspense. As Celeste prepares to leave, the question lingers—did she escape, or did she just leave a piece of herself behind? Think Lost in Translation meets Good Time, infused with the gritty realism of handheld cinematography and all-available light, capturing the raw energy of a city that never sleeps.
I’m inclined to believe Lopez hasn’t lost his step in the least as the man who helmed Nilalang and Maria, and upcoming jailhouse series drama “Sellblock.” Sudarso is terrific as a lead adding to his resumé which partly includes Buffalo Boys and The Paper Tigers, and Qymira herself his fully invested in her latest outing as well, having contributed to the film’s score with an official theme song/video you can play here.
Beyond that, check out the artwork below and stay tuned as the film’s release outlook nears into the new year.
