Meryll Soriano (left) and Baron Geisler (right) are expected to topbill the Cinemalaya 2010 entry Isang Pirasong Buhay, which will be directed by Mark Meily. The sixth edition of Cinemalaya will run from July 9-18, 2010.
Cinemalaya 2010 introduces new section called director's showcase
Thursday, January 28, 2010
08:15 PM
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This year's Cinemalaya will not only showcase works of budding directors, it will also tap the expertise of veteran directors. For the sixth edition of this annual film festival, a new section called director's showcase or open category will be included in the lineup. This section is open to filmmakers who have made at least three commercially-released full-length feature films.
Another welcome change is the extension of the filmfest by one day in order to accommodate the increased number of films. Cinemalaya 2010 is scheduled to run from July 9 to 18.
Twenty-four entries were submitted to the open category but only five were chosen to compete this year. These are: Ang Paglilitis ni Bonifacio by Mario O'Hara, Isang Pirasong Buhay by Mark Meily, Pink Halo-Halo by Joselito "Jay" Altarejos, Sigwa by Joel Lamangan, and Two Funerals by Gil Portes.
The five finalists of the open category will be awarded a seed production grant of P500,000 from the Grassroots Film Production and Distribution Inc, plus an additional P100,000 post production grant.
Most of these directors have already chosen their main cast members, except for Mario O' Hara who is still looking for actors who will play Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo in his period film. Ang Paglilitis ni Bonifacio will tackle the untold story of the trial of Andres Bonifacio under the revolutionary government of President Emilio Aguinaldo. This marks Mario O' Hara's return to filmmaking after directing Babae sa Breakwater (2004).
Two-time Palanca awardee Mark Meily informed PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that he has chosen Baron Geisler and Meryll Soriano to portray the lead characters in Isang Pirasong Buhay. His film will tell the story of pirated DVD vendor Lizette (Meryll) who decides to sell her kidney to a wealthy Arabian patient. Baron is cast as Danny, the lover of Lizette.
Jay Altarejos has been known for gay-themed films such as Ang Lalake sa Parol, Ang Lihim ni Antonio and Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan. He expressed his gratitude to Cinemalaya for giving him the chance to make films that veer away from homosexual themes.
His entry, Pink Halo-Halo, follows the journey of a young boy who desperately tries to help his father, a soldier who has been wounded in Mindanao. He plans to tap Angeli Bayani and locals of Masbate as the main actors of his film.
Joel Lamangan's Sigwa has a star-studded cast composed of Dawn Zulueta, Gina Alajar, and Zsa Zsa Padilla, among others. He also revealed that Megan Young will play the young Dawn Zulueta, Jennifer Sevilla will play the young Gina Alajar, Pauleen Luna will play the young Zsa Zsa and Marvin Agustin will play the young Tirso Cruz III.
The film's title, Sigwa, is the Tagalog term for storm and aptly represents the tumultuous times that the film will tackle. This epic film, which spans 40 years of Philippine social unrest, follows the journey of a mother who is looking for her daughter. Dolly (to be played by Dawn) was an activist during Martial Law and she was forced to give up her daughter to a fellow activist (to be played by Gina Alajar).
Direk Joel has already directed 56 feature films, the latest of which was Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love. He also helmed the indie film Dukot, which tells the story of abducted activists portrayed by Allen Dizon and Iza Calzado. PEP asked Direk Joel why he opted to direct another film tackling the world of activists.
"Kasi doon ako nanggaling. Galing ako sa dekada sitenta ['70s]. Wala pang masyadong pelikulang nagawa tungkol doon. Kung meron man, kakaunti lang. Para sa akin, panahon na para ipakita na ang mga istoryang natatago noon. Masakit man o hindi, kailangang harapin ang mga istoryang ito."
Now on its sixth year, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Film Development Council of the Philippines and Econolink Investments Inc.
Internationally recognized films such as 100 and Jay are products of the all-digital film festival and competition that is held annually at the CCP.
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