Synopsis: Kubrador is a film that centers on jueteng, the game of numbers dating back to the Philippines' Spanish colonial period from (1521 to 1898).
The movie chronicles three days in the life of Amelita, a kubrador (bookie) for the illegal numbers game jueteng. She continues to collect bets from her regular patrons every day despite a government crackdown on the game. One day, she is apprehended by the police. She joins other kubradors in the police station until their protector bails them out.
The following morning, Amelita returns to the streets and continues her illegal activities. She meets the parish priest, who informs her of a young neighbor's sudden accidental death. He asks her to collect donations from neighbors and friends. Then, a series of events turns her mundane existence into a perplexing game of life, luck and death.
The movie so far has won 4 international prizes: 2006 FIPRESCI Prize, 2006 Moscow International Film Festival Best Picture, Best Actress (Gina Pareno) and FIPRESCI Prize, 8th Osian-Cinefan International Film Festival (New Delhi, India)
The movie has been accepted by a total of 16 international film festivals: 1. World Premiere at the 28th Moscow International Film Festival, Russia June 23-July 2, 2006 where it won the FIPRESCI Award 2. Asian Premiere at the 8th Osian-Cinefan International Film Festival, New Delhi, India, July 14-23, 2006 where it bagged Best Picture, Best Actress and its 2nd FIPRESCI Prize 3. North American premiere at 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, Canada from September 7-16, 2006 4. 2006 Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada from September 28-October 13, 2006 5. Turkish premiere at the 2nd International Eurasia Film Festival in Antalya from September 16-23, 2006 6. Bollywood premiere at Mumbai's 5th Asian Film Festival from October 12-19, 2006 7. 2006 Pusan International Film Festival, Korea from October 12-20, 2006 8. UK premiere at the 50th London International Film Festival, October 18-November 2, 2006 9. US premiere at the Louis Vitton-Hawaii International
Film Festival From October 19-29, 2006 10. Latin American premiere at 30th São Paulo International Film Festival / 30ª Mostra Internacional de Cinema, Brazil from October 21-November 3, 2006 11. Balkan premiere at Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece From November 7-23, 2006 12. Western European premiere at the 33rd Brussels International Independent Film Festival from November 7-12, 2006 13. French premiere at the 26th Festival International du Film d'Ameins (in competition) from 10-19 November 2006 14. Italian premiere at the Asiatica Film Mediale in Rome from November.18- 26, 2006 15. Iberian premiere at the Sección Oficial of Spain's 51st Valladolid International Film Festival from October 20-28, 2006 16. Kubrador will be competing for the Golden Kinnaree award for Best Film in Competition during the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival from January 26-February 5, 2007.
