Things are really looking up for the indie movie “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” (The Woman in the Septic Tank). After winning a slew of awards during Cinemalaya 2011, it went on to its local commercial run so successful for a non-mainstream flick that it practically outgrossed the big studio releases.
And now comes the most heartwarmingly surprising news. The movie just earned the nod of the Oscar Selection Committee for it to be the Official Philippine entry to the Foreign Language derby of next year’s Oscars. Lead star Eugene Domingo and Director Marlon Rivera were beyond disbelief upon learning of this new development, especially after seeing the line-up of works – including the period piece Rosario and the family drama “Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig” (You are Love) – that were turned down in their favor.
Never has there been a time that a local movie made it to the Top 5 Foreign Language Films that will vie for the Academy Award. Will “The Woman in the Septic Tank” be it? Let’s wait and see.
The day has arrived. The remake of Temptation Island opens nationwide today. If you’re a big fan of the original cult classic, watch this one to see how Director Chris Martinez pays homage to the late mother creator, Joey Gosiengfiao. And if you’re just plain curious, check it out because I’m pretty sure it will be an all-out fun flick to spend two hours of your time with. 😉
Watch the full trailer here:
courtesy of regalcinema
As my week is pretty full at work, I’m scheduled to watch it (with two of my friends-contemporaries) this coming Saturday….first screening! 🙂
One of the more interesting entries in this year’s Cinemalaya is a satirical comedy intriguingly titled “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” (The Woman in the Septic Tank). The Marlon Rivera-directed movie – as written by Chris Martinez – stars popular actress/comedienne Eugene Domingo who plays herself, showbiz upstarts JM de Guzman (‘Mula Sa Puso’) and Cai Cortez (‘Here Comes the bride’) plus band vocalist-cum-TV actor Kean Cipriano.
According to the Cinemalaya website, here’s the film’s plot:
“Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” chronicles a day in the life of three ambitious, passionate but misguided filmmakers as they set out to do a quick pre-prod at Starbucks, a courtesy call to their lead actress, Eugene Domingo, and an ocular inspection of their film’s major location, the Payatas dumpsite. Director Rainier, Producer Bingbong and Production Assistant Jocelyn are well-to-do, well-educated film school graduates who are dead set on making an Oscar worthy film. They believe they have a winning script, the energy and the drive to make their dreams come true. Like most filmmakers they know, they have devised a screenplay that will show the real essence of our culture: poverty. In the course of one day, they brainstorm and exhaust all possible treatment of their project: the story of Mila (Eugene Domingo), a mother from the slums, who out of desperation to survive, has sold her child to a pedophile. As they discuss the possible executions of the story, the movie-within-a-movie gets reborn in Jocelyn’s imagination several times. As a gritty no frills neo-realist film, as a glossy musical, as an over-the-top melodrama and as a docu drama using non-actors. For their last task of the day, they visit the dumpsite for the first time. As filmmakers gunning for authenticity, they get excited with the ”beauty” of the squalor around them. Soon enough, they are faced with reality as they come face to face with the real effects of their chosen subject. Babae sa Septic Tank is a comedy about misguided ambitions, the art of making art and the romanticization of poverty.
“Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” is part of Cinemalaya’s New Breed (Full Length) Section. Together with 8 other movies, it will get prime screening times during the festival which will unreel July 15 and run till the 24th.
I’m very keen on watching this one, if only to judge how Advertising Executive Marlon Rivera directed his first opus.
Suportahan natin ang Pelikulang Pilipino! (Let’s support Filipino films!) 😉
Before the much-awaited remake of Temptation Island hits the multiplexes next month, why not watch the original cult classic which inspired the new version? The quartet characters of Azenith Briones, Dina Bonnevie, Jennifer Cortez and Bambi Arambulo will be given fresh takes by new leads Marian Rivera, Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe and Solenn Heussaff, respectively. What’s more the latter will have names made famous by past Joey Gosienfiao movies such as Christina, Virginia P., Pura and Serafina. The four will share the screen with leading men Aljur Abrenica, Tom Rodriguez, Mikael Daez (who took over the role originally meant for Paulo Avelino after the latter contracted pneumonia just before the shoot in Ilocos Norte), John “Sweet” Lapus and Rufa Mae Quinto. Director Chris Martinez is pressured to measure up to the campiness of the original, while injecting modern concepts to the same. I wonder how the giant friend chicken and ice cream cone will be shown because those are integral parts during the desert scenes when everyone is starting to freak out due to hunger.
I’m really hyped up for the remake, just as the others who grew up relishing the first in their younger years. Watch now! 😉
video courtesy of 6988kid
Just to whet your appetite even more, here are some photos (courtesy of cast member Rufa Mae Quinto by way of Starmometer.com and Kapuso Central) from the shooting of the Temptation Island remake in Paoay, Ilocos Norte:
The cast of the Temptation Island remake in between takes while enduring the scorching heat of the desert in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
The three gorgeous hunks of the Temptation Island remake - (l-r) Tom Rodriguez, Mikael Daez and Aljur Abrenica - in between takes.
(l-r) Lovi Poe, Solenn Heussaff and Rufa Mae Quinto taking a break from the shoot while lounging in their makeshift tents in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
(l-r) Lovi Poe, Rufa Mae Quinto, Solenn Heussaff and Tom Rodriguez shooting a scene in the middle of the desert.
The ladies enduring sudden desert storms while in the middle of shooting.
(l-r) Marian Rivera, Heart Evangelista and Aljur Abrenica in between takes.
Rufa Mae Quinto, Lovi Poe and Marian Rivera waiting for their takes.
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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Things are really looking up for the indie movie “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” (The Woman in the Septic Tank). After winning a slew of awards during Cinemalaya 2011, it went on to its local commercial run so successful for a non-mainstream flick that it practically outgrossed the big studio releases. 
normannorman.com 