a must watch: zombadings 1: patayin sa shokot si remington

last wednesday, my marketing officemates brought up the idea of watching a movie on friday. they were clamoring for us to watch the cinemalaya film zombadings 1: patayin sa shokot si remington. so we checked the schedule and decided to watch in megamall at the last full show.

unfortunately, due to the changes in meeting schedules, we were left with no choice but to watch the movie at glorietta still at the last full show. we were surprised that the earlier screenings were already sold out and only a few seats were available for the last screening. we did not anticipate the popularity of the movie.

the movie revolved around remington, who as a child has teased gay people. because of this, a gay man he teased in the cementery cursed him to turn gay when he grows up. 15 years later, a string of hate crimes against gays has been happening in remington's town. having a policewoman as a mother, he was fully aware of the events that are taking place. at the same time, the curse on him is taking effect and he is slowly being "feminized" day after day.

how would remington deal with his attraction to a new girl in town? how will he deal with his new found attraction to his best friend? how will he escape the gay killer in his town? and how will the curse be reversed?

the film is being topbilled by mart escudero, a starstruck alumnus; lauren young and kerbie zamora. support cast includes eugene domingo, janice de belen, john regala, daniel fernando, leandro baldemor, odette khan and roderick paulate. iy is written by raymond lee and directed by jade castro.

the movie was executed well, especially on the build up of how remington slowly turned gay. great performances from mart, kerbie and lauren made the story very believable. the comedic timing of eugene domingo was really great and the support veteran stars was really great, special mention to john regala. but i was quite bored when the zombadings appeared and i think it could have been executed better. the surprise twists was also unpredictable and was really funny.

here is the trailer of the movie:

i am giving the movie a 4 out of 5 stars. so for those who have not watched it, please do so and still catch the movie. it is really worth watching.

source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaWWi6oCw8E

rafa santos gives bad comments about theater actors

rafa santos, a 26 year old film maker, gave a bad comment on why he casts theater actors in his movies during an interview in anc.

here is the video:

writing it in verbatim, he said "... I find the theater actors are better to work with because they don’t complain; you can feed them Sky Flakes three meals a day, and pay them in cat food."

after this incident, an open letter surfaced in facebook from theater actor joel trinidad of upstart productions to the cinemalaya, where his short film "samarito" is included in the film festival. here is a copy of the open letter:

Independent filmmaker Rafa Santos needs to be taught a lesson. Not a lesson in filmmaking, as he is obviously competent enough to have been included in this year’s Cinemalaya. Not a lesson in thrift, as he is apparently frugal enough to have produced his film without major backing. Not a lesson in public speaking, as he can definitely hold his own in interviews about the film in question. No, what this man needs is a lesson in gratitude. (He would also do well to acquire some class.)

In a televised interview on ANC this morning, Mr. Santos said he preferred using theater actors in his films, because “you can feed them Sky Flakes three meals a day and pay them in cat food.”

Congratulations, Mr. Santos. You have succeeded in alienating the very actors that have helped you to make your film so cheaply. No theater performer who has heard your egregious statements will ever work with you now. (Apparently, you lack not just gratitude, but also intelligence.)

Mr. Santos doubtless meant his remarks as a joke, but that does not excuse him from having made them. He is insensitive, mean-spirited, and divisive—qualities that do not become the artistic institution that Cinemalaya has become. We would appreciate it if you removed his film from your festival.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

Joel Trinidad

Upstart Productions

Supported by:

Aiza Seguerra, Irma Adlawan, Angelina Kanapi, Gabe Mercado, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Noel Trinidad, Pinky Marquez, Nor Domingo, Bea Garcia, Emerita Alcid, Michael Williams, Elmar Ingles, Kalila Aguilos, Ayen Laurel, Milay Guinid, Allan Alojipan, Yanah Laurel, Felix Rivera, G.A. Fallarme, Topper Fabregas, Johann de la Fuente, Gregorio de Guzman, Raul Victor Montesa, Bobby Nazareno, Leah Reyes, Marie Bismonte, Joli Cabangon, Ems Bolanos, Carla Guevara, Gian Magdangal, Sheree Bautista, Guji Lorenzana, Christine Sambelli Marquez, Jojo Malferrari, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Lorenz Martinez, Bernice Aspillaga, Karla Reyes, Floyd Tena, Jeremy Aguado, Myrene Santos, Rico del Rosario, J Young, Diana Alferez, Ana Abad Santos, Jenny Villegas, Andoy Ranays, Liza Infante, Rem Zamora, Issa Litton-Garrido, Lani Tapia, Mark Tayag, Kyla Rivera, Jenny Jamora, Dani Ochoa, Mara Paulina Marasigan, Filomar Tario, Ricci Chan, Franco Laurel, Pamela Imperial, Madeleine Nicolas, Peachy Atilano, Robbie Guevara, Cheska Iñigo Winebrenner, Alex Dagalea, Chevy Mercado, Franz Imperial, Joms Ortega, Sweet Plantado, Carelle Mangaliag, Frances Makil Ignacio, Ralion Alonso, Meynard Peñalosa, Jeremy Domingo, Aj de la Fuente, Ariel Reonal, Arnel Carrion, with more names added to the list every minute

source:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiMg8v9mUfw

http://www.facebook.com/notes/joel-trinidad/open-letter-to-cinemalaya/10150294163474595