Actor turned producer Allen Dizon begs off from producing
gay films, despite its popularity and reputation as a lucrative source of income.
"I have nothing against gay films but it's already 'a penny a
dozen', so why jump into the bandwagon? This is why it took us some time to do
the follow up to our initial project Paupahan. We want to be different.
I want to do movies of respectable production values and socially-relevant
themes, like Marino and Dukot: Desaparecidos, independent films in concept but mainstream in
production values, stars and promotion," explains Allen, who was last seen in
the Viva Films movie Baler.
This upcoming film will still have daring scenes and themes, which he promised
will be executed artistically to suit more young audiences, just like Paupahan.
After producing its first venture Paupahan, which was given a Grade of
"B" by the Cinema Evaluation Board, Allen's ATD Entertainment Productions is
now in the process of shooting two indie films. These are Marino, which
is about the lives of seamen and the families they leave behind, and Dukot,
which highlights extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
Ateneo graduate and Cinemalaya alumnus Paul Sta. Ana directs Marino. Direk
Paul helmed the 2008 Cinemalaya entry Huling Pasada. Meanwhile, Joel
Lamangan directs from a script by Palanca awardee Bonifacio Ilagan.
"I first took up Marine Engineering at PMI [Philippine Maritime Institute].
Although I had only one semester of it, I learned a lot about the lives of
seamen. Had I not pursued showbiz, I could have been a seaman myself," adds
Allen.
Marino boasts another powerhouse cast: Ara Mina, Allen Dizon and Krista Ranillo, who was given a plum role in Allen's first film Paupahan.
Marino also stars Emilio Garcia; singer and Philippine
Idol finalist Jan Nieto; hunk actor and former SOP Showboys
member Marco Alcaraz, as well as Tanduay 2009
Image Model and Star Magic talent Bangs Garcia.
Reality show alumni from both networks are cast in this indie film. These are Pinoy
Big Brother Celebrity Edition alumnus Victor Basa,
StarStruck 2Ultimate Survivor Mike Tan, and Pinoy Big
Brother Season 1 alumnus Rico Barrera.
Co-starring are Jaja "Jaboom" Gonzales, Benjie
Felipe, Holy Reyes, Nella Marie Dizon and Lui Manansala.
Marino shows the lives and loves of seamen, their heroism as OFWs and the effects of distance on them and their loved ones. The movie aims students of maritime schools and marine groups in the country as its target audience.
Jan Nieto sings the theme song "Bakit Kailangang Lumayo?" composed by singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid.
Shooting of Marino will take place in the towns of Paombong and Malolos in Bulacan. The filmmakers also plan to shoot scenes in Bangkok, Thailand and other Asian locations this month.