Coco Martin is proud of his newest baby—the recently released docu-film Noy distributed by Star Cinema. Like in most of his indie films, Coco is a bonafide auteur playing the star while participating in the direction, screenplay, and even casting, budgeting, color grading and editing.
"Lahat na halos ng ginawa kong pelikula, mula sa pagbubuo ng storya, pagka-casting, paglo-location, involved ako. Hindi lang ako artista, nagka-crowd director din ako," he reveals about this film, which he crafted for six full months. "Ganoon ako ka-involved at ganoon ko minamahal at pinapangalagaan ang trabaho ko."
Following an unconventional format, Noy is a hybrid of non-fiction (documentary) and fiction (film) narratives that tell the story of the 2010 Philippine Elections, with Senator Noynoy's campaign as its focus and launching point. It is currently being screened in Philippine cinemas.
"Naisip ko na gumawa ng isang docu na ipapakita kung ano bang klaseng eleksyon ang mayroon dito sa Pilipinas. Aminin na natin na napakagulo at napakadumi ng eleksyon dito sa atin. May automated pa nga na sinasabi, na alam mo na magkakagulo dahil hindi pa tayo sanay. First time [nagawa ito]," says Coco of the concept that he himself helped build. But it was only after shooting the footage of Senator Noynoy's campaign did the concept evolve into a full-fledged docu-film.
He recalls, "Nang nakita ng mga katrabaho ko ngayon sa TV, sabi nila, 'Gusto mo pagtulungan natin? Gusto mo gawin na nating pelikula?' So pinagdugtong namin yung pelikula at saka docu. Pinasukan ng istorya."
As a co-director, Coco tried to make scenes as real as possible. "Gusto ko lang totoo, yun naman kasi ang natutunan ko sa mentor ko," referring to 62nd Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza. "Actually kahit sa pagiging artista, dapat yung mensahe at yung pinapakita mo totoo, kahit choreographed ang eksena."
While taping Noy, Coco reveals a time when the lines between fiction and non-fiction blurred, leading to a misunderstanding betwen the Senator and his sister Kris Aquino. "May time na nanghihingi ako kunyari ng wheelchair kay Senator Noynoy, na hindi alam ng senator na umaarte ako. Ang akala niya docu. Doon nagkagulo."
He continues, "After that, tinawagan ako ni Tita Kris, 'Tutulungan ka daw niya, ano ba maitutulong namin sa 'yo?' Sabi ko, 'Pasensiya na po, hindi ko po makuhang sabihin kay Senator Noynoy, pero artista ako that time.'" Coco Martin couldn't tell the Senator that he was portraying his character Noy because that would compromise the story. "Sobrang hirap. Madali maging artista sa narrative. Mahirap maging artista sa docu."
The Aquinos were pleased with Coco's footage of Senator Noynoy's nationwide campaign. "Nung pinapakita ko na sa kanila yung material ng shoot ko, natuwa sila kasi may mga eksena akong nakakatawa. Realidad lahat. Yung mga hindi mo inaakalang mangyayari, nakukunan namin."
In fact, most of the Aquinos were present during the May 28 premiere night of Noy, which was held at the Rockwell Powerplant Mall in Makati City.
(CLICK HERE to view photos taken during the event)
Coco plans to take up film directing classes soon. "Actually, dream kong mag direk balang araw, pero napaka-aga pa. Ine-enjoy ko pa yung pagiging artista ko. Siguro pag dumating yung time na feeling ko paulit-ulit na lang yung role na ginagampanan ko, 'yun yung time para mag-aral ako mag direk."
When asked about actors he'd like to work with as director, he said that unlike mainstream practice, the concept should come first before casting. "Nangangarap akong magkaroon ng isang magandang konsepto, at saka pa lang papasok ang mga artista. Parang sa Noy, nabuo namin yung istorya at konsepto, saka kami naghilahan ng mga artista."
COCO'S FIRST MAINSTREAM FILM. Star Cinema is in the process of producing Sa 'Yo Lamang, a family drama starring Lorna Tolentino, Bea Alonzo, Enchong Dee, Erich Gonzales and Coco Martin. This will be Coco's mainstream movie debut, and they are scheduled to start taping this month.
"Excited ako gumawa para sa Star Cinema. Excited ako makatrabaho si Direk Laurice, isang napakahusay na director." Coco has worked with the veteran director in ABS-CBN's afternoon soap Nagsimula sa Puso starring Maja Salvador. "Sobrang palagay ang loob ko sa kanya. Nanay yung turing ko sa kanya kasi magaan siya [katrabaho]. Ramdam mo naman kung naniniwala sa 'yo ang tao, e, at saka kung mahal ka ng tao," he adds.
"Actually kinakabahan ako kay Lorna Tolentino, siyempre Lorna Tolentino yun." It's the first time that Coco will work with the veteran actress. "Pero marami na akong naririnig sa kanya na sobrang bait niyang tao. Si Bea, excited din ako makatrabaho." Bea, Enchong and Coco will play siblings in this upcoming film.
