Hindi lang ang kasalukuyang kaso ni Baron Geisler ang kontrobersiyal sa kanya ngayon, kundi pati na ang latest indie film niya. Ito ang ipinagmamalaki niyang Jay, na isa sa sampung competition films sa 2008 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
Gala night ng Jay kagabi, July 12, sa Main Theater ng Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) sa Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Nais linawin ni Baron at ng first-time filmmaker na si Francis Pasion na hindi gay film ang Jay, kundi isang pelikulang may gay characte; at ito nga'y ginampanan ni Baron. Ang unang papel niya bilang bading ay sa Jologs ng Star Cinema noong 2002. Kasama rin sa cast ng Jay sina Coco Martin, Flor Salanga, at ilang Kapampangan actors. Kinumpirma rin ng writer-director-producer na si Francis na may frontal nudity sa pelikula si Baron.
Sa kalagitnaan ng shooting ng pelikula ay dumating ang kaso ni Baron with Yayo and William Martinez's daughter Patricia.
"I was not watching TV that day," kuwento ni Direk Francis. "Baron and his co-actors are supposed to rehearse for our next shooting day in Bacolor in Pampanga. We were surprised that Baron appeared in long sleeves polo attire. Then he told us, 'Direk, medyo hindi po ako magtatagal, may meeting po ako sa lawyer.' It was only then that we realized that he has gotten into another controversy."
Did the controversy affect Baron's performance or the film?
"We have decided never to talk about the case, so it was not really a factor," sagot ni Direk Francis. "We leave the case to the lawyers. We never talked about it. And we are not concerned about who is telling the truth. We reserve judgment.
"I personally, was concerned of whatever consequences this might have for my actor. Nag-worry din ako. Ang daming nagsasabi, 'Dapat bilisan mo na dahil baka makulong si Baron,' pero siyempre it was a joke."
Ibinalita pa ni Direk Francis na hindi raw nagpabayad si Baron ng kanyang talent fee at mula raw noon ay hindi na ito umiinom.
BARON'S FRONTAL NUDITY. Isa sa siguradong magiging kontrobersiyal na eksena ng Jay ay ang frontal nudity ni Baron. It is his first time to bare all for a film.
Kuwento ni Direk Francis, nakatatlong takes ang nasabing eksena.
Aniya, "The scene took three takes. During the first two takes, Baron was quite hesitant. Tinatakpan pa niya ng towel ang private parts niya. But on the last third take, he let it all out. I showed him the scene and he approved of it. The frontal nudity is integral to the story. It may also be the reason for others to watch or be interested in the film. But we assure the audience that more than the controversial nudity, people will talk about the film and its disturbing message.
"The film defamiliarizes the operations of media, television in particular, in bringing us their stories. It shows how media can subtly give us their version of the truth," paliwanag ni Direk Francis.
Ang mga susunod pang screening dates ng Jay sa CCP ay ang mga sumusunod: July 13 Sunday, 9 p.m.; July 16 Wednesday, 3 p.m.; July 17 Thursday, 12:45 and 3 p.m.; July 19 Saturday, 6:15 p.m.