# About Us But Not About Us

About Us But Not About Us is a 2022 Philippine psychological drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Jun Robles Lana. The film stars Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas.
The film was first released in Estonia on November 23, 2022, as one of the official entries for the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where it won the Best Film award. It also received a Philippine premiere on April 8, 2023, as one of the entries for the 1st Summer Metro Manila Summer Film Festival, where it won 10 awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

## Premise

Eric (Romnick Sarmenta) and his student, Lancelot (Elijah Canlas) converse with each other over a meal at a restaurant unveiling secrets.

## Cast

* Romnick Sarmenta as Ericson; A gay man who worked as a literature professor
* Elijah Canlas portrays two roles which are:
** Lancelot: A student attending the University of the Philippines who has Ericson as his mentor. His character is helped by Ericson after the student was beaten up by his stepfather. Canlas described the character as a survivalist, who was also victimized by a pedophile priest at ten years old.
** Marcus: Former husband of Ericson who committed suicide

## Production

About Us But Not About Us was produced under The IdeaFirst Company, Octoberian Films, and Quantum Films under the direction of Jun Lana. Perci Intalan, Lana's ex-partner was the producer. Lana described the film as a "personal" project which he created during a "period of depression". Characterizing the film as "part fiction and part confessional", Lana disclosed writing for three straight days for the story of the film, drawing inspiration from his childhood trauma.
The film's story is "conversational" featuring just two seated characters talking to each other in a single setting. A significant part of the story was in English. About Us But Not About Us took five days to shoot, with a script reading taking place a day prior.
It was shot entirely on location at the "L'Opera Ristorante" Italian Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City, Makati, Manila.

## Release

The film premiered in Estonia at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in November 2022. It screened in cinemas in the Philippines as one of the eight official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival which began on April 8, 2023.

## Reception
### Critical response

About Us But Not About Us was recognized as the Best Film in the Critics' Pick competition of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Film critic Niki Nikitin, as an attendee of the Estonian film festival, praised the film as "masterfully orchestrated" despite having a small budget. Indonesian film critic Bavner Donaldo praised this film for its stunning acting performances with an unexpected conclusion.

### Accolades

Accolades received by About Us But Not About Us :
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Picture | About Us But Not About Us | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Director | Jun Lana | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Actor | Romnick Sarmenta | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Screenplay | Jun Lana | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Production Design | About Us But Not About Us | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Cinematography | Neil Daza | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Editing | Lawrence Ang | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Sound | About Us But Not About Us | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Musical Score | About Us But Not About Us | Won |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Best Float | About Us But Not About Us | Nominated |
| 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | April 11, 2023 | Special Jury Prize | Elijah Canlas | Won |
| 2024 Gawad Urian Award | June 8, 2024 | Gawad Urian for Best Picture | About Us But Not About Us | Nominated |
| 2024 Gawad Urian Award | June 8, 2024 | Gawad Urian for Best Director | Jun Lana | Nominated |
| 2024 Gawad Urian Award | June 8, 2024 | Gawad Urian for Best Screenplay | Jun Lana | Won |
| 2024 Gawad Urian Award | June 8, 2024 | Gawad Urian for Best Actor | Romnick Sarmenta | Won |
| 2024 Gawad Urian Award | June 8, 2024 | Gawad Urian for Best Editing | Lawrence Ang | Nominated |
| 2024 Gawad Urian Award | June 8, 2024 | Gawad Urian for Best Sound | Armand De Guzman | Nominated |
| 7th Eddys | July 7, 2024 | Best Picture | About Us But Not About Us | Won |
| 7th Eddys | July 7, 2024 | Best Director | Jun Lana | Won |
| 7th Eddys | July 7, 2024 | Best Actor | Romnick Sarmenta | Nominated |
| 7th Eddys | July 7, 2024 | Best Screenplay | Jun Lana | Won |
| 7th Eddys | July 7, 2024 | Best Editing | Lawrence Ang | Won |