Please watch "Barber's Tales" and support the local indie movie industry. It deserves a commercial audience and that includes you, dear readers!
courtesy of octobertrain
“Barber’s Tales” opens today in SM, Ayala and Robinson Cinemas nationwide. So I encourage you to go out and watch it. The movie deserves a big audience.
Set in the 1970s, the movie revolves around a widow who decided to run her deceased husband’s barber shop inspite of the resistance and mockery from a male-dominated community. She slowly discovers the true meaning of freedom and liberation in the process of doing so.
The Jun Robles Lana-directed movie has already won for him the Best Director Award in the 2014 Madrid International Film Festival and the Best Actess Award in the 2013 Tokyo Film Festival for lead performer Eugene Domingo. It also got the Audience Award at the Udine (Italy) Film Festival, plus the Arri and Technicolor Asia Awards from the Hongkong-Asia Film Financing Forum.
The producers made it easy for you. Above are the screens where you can catch the movie.
Your patronage of “Barber’s Tales” will be most appreciated. Please find time to catch one of its screenings so that the theater owners will be encouraged to extend the film’s very limited run.
The festival will run from July 26-August 4, 2013.
In case some of you are wondering why I am giving a spot feature to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, your blogger is also a self-confessed indie movie buff who enjoys watching flicks that have moderately off-mainstream appeal. This year, the line-up is particularly special with the presence of some big-name stars as well as plots that are both ground-breaking and innovative in appeal. Do check out seven of the more interesting opuses below:
courtesy of QuantumFilmsProdn
Vilma Santos stars in her first indie movie and Jeffrey Jeturian has the honor of directing her in this one. “Ekstra” (The Bit Player) is a socio-realist drama-comedy which follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation on the marginalized laborers like her.
The project is made more luminous with the cameo appearances of Piolo Pascual, Marian Rivera, Cherie Gil, Cherrie Pie Picache and Pilar Pilapil playing their real selves.
courtesy of Christopher Ad. Castillo
The first directorial debut of Christopher Ad. Castillo (yes, he is the son of the late renowned director) takes pride in having Gretchen Barretto – another indie first-timer – in the lead. “The Diplomat Hotel” is about Victoria Lansang (Barretto), a popular news reporter who has been requested to mediate a hostage crisis. And in front of a national television audience, something horribly goes wrong and people are killed while Victoria suffers a mental breakdown. A year later, she’s eager to get back into the game but the only assignment she can get is to do a documentary on the last night of The Diplomat Hotel in Baguio City, a crumbling and abandoned building infamously known for its bloody past and its hauntings and has carved a place in Philippine ghost lore. Looking for redemption, she arrives there with her crew and they start filming. But as they get deeper into the night, the place starts to exert its will on them and they find out exactly what monstrous evil awaits at The Diplomat Hotel.
courtesy of QuantumFilmsProdn
What do you get with the combination of Cinemalaya favorite Eugene Domingo and Japanese actor Yuki Matsuzaki (who has starred in a string of Hollywood films like Letters from Iwo Jima)? Director Leo Abaya’s “Instant Mommy“!
In order to solve a personal predicament, Bechayda (Domingo), a wardrobe assistant in TV commercials, pretends to be pregnant.
The film is one summerâs journey with her as she reaches the fateful decision amidst a highly visualized world where the video screen not only reigns supreme but is also the frame within which a usually unsuspecting public accesses the content of image-makers.
courtesy of Joseph Israel Laban
This is going to be the most controversial entry for 2013, I reckon. Coming from one of GMA-7’s most prolific documentary filmmakers – Joseph Israel Laban – “Nuwebe” is inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history. It follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father. Her story is complex. Krista refuses to see herself as a victim.
With an almost documentary style, “Nuwebe” follows Kristaâs story as she demonstrates a level of resilience uncommon to her age. Her mother on the other hand is torn between her love for her child and her love for her husband.
The movie stars TV child performer Barbara Miguel as Krista, with the support of Anita Linda, Jake Cuenca and Nadine Samonte.
courtesy of MyCinemalaya
“Debosyon” is from Director Alvin Yapan and stars Paulo Avelino and Mara Lopez (yes, the daughter of Ma. Isabel).
Mando, a Bikolano devotee of Ina, Virgin of Peñafrancia, Patroness of Bikolandia, injures himself in the middle of the forest at the foot of the Mayon Volcano. He will be nursed back to health by a mysterious woman, Salome, living there. They will fall in love with each other. But when Mando invites her to come with him to the plains, Salome refuses, saying a curse prohibits her from leaving the forest. Salome holds a secret that will devastate Mandoâs love for her. Mando relies on his devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia to lift the curse, making him realize just how inextricably linked are the virtues of love and faith.
courtesy of Jerrold Tarog
From one of my favorite indie film directors who has successfully crossed mainstream, Jerrold Tarog is bringing “Sana Dati (rough literal translation: Wish Before) to the festival. Lovi Poe, Benjamin Alves, Paulo Avelino and TJ Trinidad star in this one.
Andrea Gonzaga (Lovi Poe) has accepted her fate by agreeing to marry a man she does not love. But a few hours before her wedding, someone arrives to remind her of the true love she once had and lost. “Sana Dati” is a love story about bittersweet compromises and real-life decisions. It is the third part of Jerrold Tarog’s Camera Trilogy after Confessional and Mangatyanan.
Lastly for this group, there is “Quick Change” which is the second directorial effort of Eduardo Roy, Jr. who brought us the memorable “Bahay Bata” a couple of years back.
courtesy of B0nfire Productions
This movie is about the life of Dorina a middle-aged transsexual looking for his niche amidst the complexities of the world he is in. This is a story of suffering, acceptance and hope.
“Quick Change” casts newcomer Mimi Juareza in the role of Dorina. He is joined by Miggs Cuaderno and Junjun Quintana.
Cinemalaya 2013 (Philippine Independent Film Festival) will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 with the main venue at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) plus simultaneous showings at select Ayala Mall cinemas. If you’re up to it, then better plan on buying tickets to the more anticipated movies (like Ekstra, Instant Mommy and The Diplomat Hotel) ahead of time so you don’t have to get stuck in long lines for the same.
Do watch out for it, and let’s keep on supporting the local indie filmmaking industry! đ
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.
Click on the movie poster above to go straight to the full trailer.
Enough of the gay indie movie bashing. I know that we have been flooded with a good number of thrashy softporn productions of two years’ late. But worry not. one movie with a flamboyantly gay theme is about to redeem the mediocre excesses bannered by titles like “Chub Chaser”, “Ang Pinakamahabang One-Night Stand Part 2“, “Freshboys Asia”, “Locker Boys”, “Junior”, “Senior” et al. Get past the attention-grabbing title of “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington“ and join the long lines of moviegoers who enjoyed the movie during the weekend. Rumor has it that it outgrossed the first 5-day nationwide release of Star Cinema’s “Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi” and I can’t help but let out a wide grin.
I’m so glad that I found the time to watch and ride on the wave of #Zombadings twitter trending and all. To say that this Jade Castro-directed film is hilarious would be a great understatement. It sizzles beyond the big laughs and goes for the jugular with a story (and script) that will never insult your intelligence. Sure, it’s a good zombie film for some but it’s also a trend-setting gay movie that can overthrow your misconceptions of the same.
“Zombadings“ is all about Remington (Martin Escudero), a boy who always ridicules all-out cross-dressing gays in a town in Lucban, Quezon. He eventually met his comeuppance inside a cemetery after encountering a mysterious gay man (Roderick Paulate) who casted a curse that will turn him gay once he grows up. True enough, he started exhibiting outward indications of the transformation many years later. Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose and is targetting gay men who start turning up dead after being hit with a laser gun that zaps the life out of them in an instant. The already-effeminate Remington fears that he might end up being the next target. With the help of his best friend Jigs (Kerbie Zamora) and girl-next-door-love-interest Hannah (Lauren Young), they search for the individual who can remove the curse. And time is running out. I won’t go any further so as not to spoil the rest of the movie. But take my word for it. It’s one hell of a comic ride that introduces moviegoers to oft-confusing (but mercifully subtitled) gay lingo, while depicting deliciously quirky characters amidst one of the more novel gay-friendly love triangles in Philippine cinema.
“Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington“ is a big acting vehicle for Martin Escudero. He carries the film with a breakthrough performance that can definitely reward him with acting nominations and hopefully at least an award or two in next year’s derbies. His mastery of speaking gay lingo is already an achievement, not to mention the gaudy nuances of his gay conversion. Major support comes from all members of the cast, who each contributed cracking turns. Special mentions go to the eternally ambrosial Roderick Paulate (as the curse-caster), Mailes Kanapi (as the fumbling scene-stealing police assistant) and John Regala (as Remington’s father). I also must add the excellent efforts of the cinematographer for his textured and competitive lensing of the film from start to finish.
Origin8 Media‘s “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington“ is directed by Jade Castro from a script he collaborated with Raymond Lee and Michiko Yamamoto. It stars Martin Escudero, Kerbie Zamora, Lauren Young, Eugene Domingo, Roderick Paulate, Janice de Belen, John Regala, Mailes Kanapi, Odette Khan, Daniel Fernando, and Leandro Baldemor with Bayani Agbayani and Marian Rivera in special cameo roles.
C’mon guys, watch the movie. Now na! đ
P.S. Stay stuck in your seat for the entirety of the final credits. A bonus awaits!
Don’t judge a movie by its’ title alone because you might be missing out on a really good one.
“Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” (rough English translation: Gay Zombies 1: Kill Remington in Fear; “shokot” is gay lingo for the word fear) may sound like one of the tackiest movie titles ever, but go beyond that. Since you may have already been intrigued, why not watch the teaser and full trailers above because this is one local film in the satire genre that deserves to be patronized. If you’re a stickler for technical competence (with crisp and clear cinematography), you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking for novelty, then this should be right up your alley. If you’re a fan of seriously funny flicks that do not insult your intelligence, then consider the fact that this Jade Castro-directed production has recently been rated “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).
“Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” is a zombie movie alright. But with a twist. Remington (Martin Escudero) is a young man cursed for treating gays the wrong way. He then starts experiencing an assortment of spine-tingling experiences all around. To make matters more interesting, he encounters a demon attacking once nighttime falls as well as discovering that he is slowly turning gay everytime he wakes up.
Martin Escudero (R) and Kerbie Zamora play friends who fall in love with each other amidst a zombie invasion.
If the plot has piqued your interest, then better mark your calendar. “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” will open nationwide on August 31 – tagged as National Zomba Day for promotional purposes. I will definitely encourage my friends to watch. And if you’re straight, don’t worry. You won’t turn gay by just sitting through it. đ
“Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” is produced by Origin8media. Jade Castro directs from a screenplay collaborated with Michiko Yamamoto and Raymond Lee. It stars Roderick Paulate, Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo, John Regala, Lauren Young, Kerbie Zamora and Martin Escudero in the role of Remington.
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 filmâs 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 Jocelynâs 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 âbeautyâ 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!) đ
RPG Metanoia is the first Philippine-made 3D Animated Movie. And it will open on Christmas Day as part of the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival. It is the story of Nico, a young online gamer, his friends, and their challenge to prevent the ‘unknown’ opponent in its attempt to seize the world of Metanoia and our world. Featuring the voices of Aga Muhlach, Eugene Domingo, Vhong Navarro, Mika dela Cruz and child actor Zaijan Jaranilla, this film deserves the support of moviegoers because it is definitely a solid step forward in the local film industry. Filipino animators are known globally as some of the world’s best (just check the ones working for Pixar and Dreamworks SKG). A look at the HQ trailer above gives you the impression that it is a worthy first 3D output for Pinoy Cinema.
RPG Metanoia is produced by AmbientMedia and Star Cinema and directed by Luis C. Suarez, with music conducted by Gerald Salonga, orchestrated by Ria Osorio along with Filharmonika Orchestra.
1984 was the year that the original “Working Girls” movie was released. It became a box-office hit back then as well as an iconic piece of work from the late great Director Ishmael Bernal. The seven ladies who played the title roles were Hilda Koronel, Rio Locsin, Chanda Romero, Gina Pareno, Carmi Martin, Maria Isabel Lopez and Baby Delgado. I remember watching the movie twice in the cinema and enjoying it over and over again on TV. It was a fun chick flick that spawned a sequel that unfortunately flopped.
This year, exactly 26 years after, a remake of “Working Girls” is set for release this coming April 21. And boy, am I hyped for it. Director Jose Javier Reyes wants to pay homage to Ishmael Bernal via this movie and I really hope he lives up to expectations. Viva Films – which produced the original – is also behind the same together with GMA Films and Unitel Productions. The seven ladies in the cast are Ruffa Gutierrez, Eugene Domingo, Iza Calzado, Cristine Reyes, Jennylyn Mercado, Bianca King and Eula Valdez who take on new roles quite different from their predecessors in order to keep up with the times. I must admit, though, that some of them are likely patterned after the first. Take for example Eugene Domingo. She is obviously filling in the comedic part of Gina Pareno (who played an alajera and is now featured in the remake with her) but this time, the former is a seller of fake handbags. On the other hand, Jennylyn Mercado’s character reminds me of Rio Locsin’s role and surprise, they play mother-and-daughter in the movie. Anyways, two other original cast members are part of the new ensemble. Carmi Martin (who popularized the line “Sabel, this must be love!”) is back as a patient of Eula Valdes’ Vicki Belo-reminiscent part, while Maria Isabel Lopez is returning as an activist type who fights against malpractices in cosmetic surgery.
I just have to pitch in for the launching movie of comedienne Eugene Domingo – “Kimmy Dora.” Â The trailer is one of the funniest I’ve seen in a local movie for a long time now. And since I am a fan of ‘Uge” (Eugene’s nickname), I will surely watch this one. It opens today – nationwide, that is.
“Kimmy Dora” is the first offering of Spring Films, an independent movie production outfit headed by matinee idol Piolo Pascual, and directed by Joyce Bernal. Joining Eugene Domingo in the cast is another matinee idol – Dingdong Dantes plus Zanjoe Marudo, Miriam Quiambao, Baron Geisler and Ariel Ureta.
Click on the full trailer below and I’m sure it will tickle your funny bones to no end.
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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