Hello! Whattarainyweek! :)
yesterday i tried my best to go despite the upsetting weather. but fear of infection from flood, fear of flu from getting rained down, fear of being late from traffic/not getting a ride prevented me from going. so you can call me fearsome firewomyn. sigh.
today i braved the typhoon and flood, and was able to watch Cinemalaya finally! seen Diablo, Aparisyon and Requieme. will watch some more next weekend. :)
reviewing the lineup, and to help us support our LGBT friends/family, here's an LGBT guide in this year's Cinemalaya. :)
with lgbt theme:
- Requieme - about a young transgender (New Breed)
- Bwakaw - about an old gay man (Director's Cut)
- Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino - well, it's about diving for tahong/mussels. certainly there's a flesh of lesbian in it (metaphorically). lol!
with lgbt cast
- Posas - John Lapus
- Requieme - Anthony Falcon, Roeder Camañag. etc.
- Diablo - Roeder Camañag
- Bwakaw - Joey Paras, Soxie Topacio, Eddie Garcia (he admitted in an interview that he had sexual experience with a man in his youth)
films with cast members who played LGBT roles in the past
- Aparisyon - Mylene Dizon (lesbian in Rome and Juliet)
- Ang Katiwala - Dennis Trillo (transgender in Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita)
- Mga Mumunting Lihim - Judy Ann Santos (bisexual in Sabel)
- Requieme - Sharmaine Buencamino (lesbian in Niño)
films i recommend:
- Aparisyon - superb visuals and acting!
- Requieme - positive depiction of a loving gay/transgender relationship and a gay man's
/transgender's compassion. very good story.
- Bwakaw - funny trailer. fan of eddie garcia and joey paras. will watch next week
- Mga Mumunting Lihim - interesting plot. want to see how a full mainstream cast fares in Indie.
- Ang Nawawala - music as backdrop, fast-paced in the mold of mtv. seems fun.
- Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino - am a fan of jm de guzman (from Ang Babae sa Septic Tank and Pangarap Lang Kita mtv). and for obvious reason, tahong/mussels always interest me. :D
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All the full length film entries in Cinemalaya with background & their gala screening schedule
OROS by Paul Sta. Ana
Gala: July 23, Mon 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: The owner of a funeral parlor sells a cadaver to a saklaan kasero named Makoy. He and his brother, Abet, then stage a three-week-long fake wake to make a profit.
Who’s Starring: Kristoffer King, Tanya Gomez and Kristofer Martin
Who’s Directing: Paul Sta. Ana (Marino and Huling Pasada; he also wrote award-winning screenplays such as Mayohan and Bisperas)
Why We’re Excited: It’s always fun to watch witty takes on Pinoy culture.
BWAKAW by Jun Robles Lana
Gala: July 23, Mon 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: An aging, lonely gay man waits out
the twilight of his life. He even sleeps in his own coffin—symbolism and
laughs in one scene? We'll take it! Will heartwarming redemption and
pathos spring from the cute little dog that he adopts?
Who’s Starring: Eddie Garcia, Rez Cortez, Gardo
Versoza, Joey Paras, Allan Paule, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Beverly Salvejo,
Soxie Topacio, Luz Valdez
Who’s Directing: Jun Lana (the youngest Palanca Hall of Fame awardee and screenwriter of Jose Rizal and Muro Ami)
Why We’re Excited: The film promises to juggle some heavy narrative archetypes with a lighthearted, appealing touch.
KALAYAAN by Adolfo B. Alix Jr.
Gala: July 24, Tue 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: We're certain that the title
carries more metaphorical weight, but at face value, the movie is named
after the far-off Kalayaan islands in Palawan, where a group of soldiers
must grapple with the psychological effects of loneliness and
isolation.
Who’s Starring: Ananda Everingham, Luis Alandy, Zanjoe Marudo, Rocky Salumbides, Angela Bayani
Who’s Directing: Adolfo Alix Jr. (Manila, Donsol, Chassis, Kadin, screenwriter for Ang Munting Tinig)
Why We’re Excited: As evidenced by the Piolo Pascual-starrer Manila, Adolfo Alix Jr. has a way of coaxing great performances out of beefcake stars who play roles in films named after places.
SANTA NIñA by Emmanuel Quindo Palo
Gala: July 24, Tue 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: The beguiling video teasers don't say much, but Santa Nina
tells the story of a father whose child is buried in a lahar flow in
Bacolor back in 1995. Fast-forward to ten years later: the
perfectly-preserved remains of the child are uncovered, and the father
begins a campaign to elevate his kid to sainthood.
Who’s Starring: Coco Martin, Alessandra de Rossi,
Anita Linda, Angel Aquino, Irma Adlawan, Nanding Josef, Lui Manansala,
Joe Gruta, Bea Garcia, Dax Alejandro, Rie Batingana
Who’s Directing: Emmanuel Q. Palo (this is his first feature-length film)
Why We’re Excited: It's no secret that we're partial
to Coco Martin's talent around here...especially when he's about to
tackle meaty issues like faith and salvation.
ANG KATIWALA by Aloy Adlawan
Gala: July 25, Wed 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: Ruben takes on the job as a
caretaker of an abandoned property in Quezon City which was once owned
by a prominent figure in the Philippines. When a reporter interviews him
about the house’s history, Ruben is shamed, realizing he knows nothing
about the owner. With newfound vigor, he begins reading up on the man
and his fascination borders on obsession. So much so that his friend,
Gimo, even jokes that he is being possessed by the soul of his new hero.
Who’s Starring: Dennis Trillo, Ronnie Lazaro,
Angelina Canapi, Althea Vega, Miggs Cuaderno, Neri Naig, Ernie Zarate,
Shyr Valdez, Richard Manabat, Louella de Cordova, Aileen Lota, and Dado
Jose
Who’s Directing: Aloy Adlawan (Room Boy, Signos)
Why We’re Excited: Ang Katiwala was based
on a real-life predicament when a property with seemingly high
historical value was put on the market. We want to see how the
award-winning director jazzed it up for film.
MGA MUMUNTING LIHIM by Jose Javier Reyes
Gala: July 25, Wed 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: Let's try this in over-dramatic Hollywood teaser style: Four best friends. One death. A threatened friendship.
Who’s Starring: Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, Agot Isidro
Who’s Directing: Jose Javier Reyes (Batang PX, Kasal Kasali Kasalo)
Why We’re Excited: Four heavyweight actresses in one indie film. Need we say any more?
APARISYON by Vincent Sandoval
Gala: July 26, Thu 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: The peace at the Adoration
Monastery is disrupted when an extern nun, Remy, learns that her
left-leaning brother has gone missing. Despite failing to obtain a leave
of absence from the Mother Superior, Remy smuggles a pocket radio into
the cloisters in her desperation to listen to the news. Lourdes, a
novice nun, sympathizes with Remy, and volunteers to be an extern
herself. Together, they start attending meetings of families with
missing relatives. As the pair heads back to the monastery after one
clandestine gathering, they are accosted by men and Lourdes is
discovered the next day, hurt and sexually abused. The incident shocks
the monastery and stirs political consciousness among the nuns.
Who’s Starring: Mylene Dizon, Jodi Sta. Maria, Fides Cuyogan-Asencio, Racquel Villavicencio, Rustica Carpio
Who’s Directing: Vincent Sandoval (Señorita)
Why We’re Excited: Director Vincent Sandoval revealed during a press conference that Aparisyon
was a very visual film. “Its most arresting and powerful scenes are its
quietest,” he said, hinting at a four-minute scene where Dizon and Sta.
Maria had a powerful, emotional exchange sans dialogue.
MGA DAYO by Julius Sotomayor Cena
Gala: July 27, Fri 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: Three separate lives meet in this
insightful drama set during Thanksgiving in Guam. A newspaper
photographer consents to a “green card marriage,” a journalist tries to
repair her relationship with her American husband, and a hotel
housekeeper brings her ailing 88-year-old mother to the States, only to
struggle to send her back to the Philippines—three stories about
decisions, sacrifices, and finding home.
Who’s Starring: Sue Prado, Olga Natividad, Janela Carrera
Who’s Directing: Julius Sotomayor-Cena (Lutrina, Dito Sa Lupa)
Why We’re Excited: This is the first Cinemalaya entry to be filmed overseas!
THE ANIMALS by Gino M. Santos
Gala: July 27, Fri 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: A day in the life of the
ultra-privileged, when school is out and the party begins. The title's
not just for show, too; we fully expect the three characters—Jake,
Trina, and Alex—to take a walk on the wild side before the party winds
down.
Who’s Starring: Albie Casiño, Patrick Sugui, Dawn
Balagot, Issa Litton, Micah Cabral, Vangie Martelle, John Wayne
Sace, Bryan Homecillo, Carlo Cruz, Andrew Felix
Who’s Directing: Gino M. Santos (this is his first feature-length film)
Why We’re Excited: Pinoy indie film is sometimes
unfairly skewered as "poverty porn"—an affectation that forms the meat
of last year's Cinemalaya darling Ang Babae sa Septic Tank—and we're
curious to see how newcomer Gino Santos flips the coin over to the
hyper-affluent. Will he go for a skewering...or sympathy?
past galas
ANG NAWAWALA by Marie Jamora
July 21, Sat 3:30PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: This film revolves around Gibson
Bonifacio, a 20-year-old returning to Manila after studying abroad.
While adjusting to his life back home, he reconnects with his childhood
best friend and they begin a romance. In the end, Bonifacio revives his
relationship with his family and friends while discovering himself along
the way.
Who’s Starring: Dominic Roco, Felix Roco, Annicka
Dolonius, Alchris Galura, Mercedes Cabral, Kelvin Yu, Jenny Jamora, Marc
Abaya, Sabrina Man, Boboy Garrovillo, and Dawn Zulueta
Who’s Directing: Marie Jamora (her resume includes several music videos and the first season of Project Runway Philippines)
Why We’re Excited: Not only is this Marie Jamora’s (much-anticipated) first full-length film, it also gives us a peek into the Pinoy music scene.
INTOY SYOKOY NG KALYE MARINO by Lemuel Lorca
July 21, Sat 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: Adapted from the eponymous Palanca-winning short story by Eros Atalia, Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino is the love story between a tahong diver (the best in town) and his lifelong love, a prostitute named Doray Langaw.
Who’s Starring: JM de Guzman, LJ Reyes, and Joross Gamboa
Who’s Directing: Lemuel Lorca
Why We’re Excited: The Batang Ama star confessed that diving in the murky waters of Sangley Point was a difficult experience. “Mabaho talaga... (may lumulutang na) napkin, used napkin. (May mga dumi ng tao) hindi ko na nakikita usually 'yon, pero naamoy ko at nalasahan...” recalled de Guzman in a PEP.ph interview. We just want to check if the sacrifice was worth it.
KAMERA OBSKURA by Raymond Red
July 21, Sat 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: A purported "long-lost film from the archives of Philippine cinema", Kamera Obskura is
a legendary director's hallucinatory film-within-a-film imagining of
what a Filipino expressionist film of the silent era would be like.
Who’s Starring: Pen Medina, Joel Torre, Nanding Josef, Ping Medina, Lou Veloso
Who’s Directing: Raymond Red (Sakay, Bangin)
Why We’re Excited: You can't get any more ambitious in this year's Cinemalaya than this flick. Let's quote the director himself (courtesy of The Philippine Star) on what his aim was for Kamera Obskura: "To conjure up a film from a period that did not really exist in Philippine cinema's historical cultural heritage."
DIABLO by Mes de Duzman
July 22, Sun 12:45PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: So, unfortunately, we can't find any video trailer for Diablo
on the Internet (if you know of any, please give us a tip in the
comments). But the premise is intriguing enough: a long-suffering
matriarch, five wastrel sons, the fatal stabbing of one of the said
sons, and the crackling, emotional family reunion that's sure to follow.
Who’s Starring: Ama Quiambao, Carlo Aquino, Althea Vega, Jose Escobedo, Arnold Reyes, Roeder Camañag, Fredie dela Cruz
Who’s Directing: Mes De Guzman (short film Batang Trapo and feature The Road to Kalimugtong)
Why We’re Excited: Mes De Guzman's independent,
Nueva Vizcaya-based work ethic has paid off in the past: his past films
have nabbed grand prizes in festivals in Africa, Europe, and North
America.
REQUIEME! by Loy Arcenas
July 22, Sun 6:15PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It’s About: Swanie, a barangay chair and
distant relative of a killer, attempts to curry political favor by
staging a wake for her notorious kin. Meanwhile, miles away, her son
tries to give his neighbor a proper funeral. Still, in another seemingly
unrelated circumstance, an estranged mother and son portray their own
dealing with “death”—and in a very unusual way. The three stories
intertwine to give a showcase of Pinoy culture and our penchant for
turning funerals into a fiesta.
Who’s Starring: Shamaine Centenera Buencamino, Rez
Cortez, Anthony Falcon, Paul Jake Paule, Renner Concepcion, Garry Lim,
Angelita Raymundo, Skyzx Labastilla, Jelson Bay, Roli Inocencio, Lila
Cuntapay, Antonette Garcia, Ces Aldaba and Lou Veloso
Who’s Directing: Loy Arcenas (Niño)
Why We’re Excited: Arcenas’ first attempt with Niño last year was brilliant so we have very high hopes for his second film.
POSAS by Lawrence Fajardo
July 22, Sun 9:00PM at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
What’s It About: We don't mean to be facetious, but
it seems strangely appropriate that a director named "Law" is tackling
this story about a petty thief caught by the police—and by a
downward-spiraling web of torture, corruption, and bureaucracy.
Who’s Starring: Nico Antonio, Bangs Garcia, John Lapus, Susan Africa, and Art Acuna
Who’s Directing: Law Fajardo (Amok)
Why We’re Excited: The waterboard torture scene of
star Nico Antonio? It's 100% real. The dedication of the cast and crew
seems to have paid off...This film entry was shortlisted in the Un
Certain Regard category of the famed Cannes Film Festival.
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