Mylene Dizon and Eugene Domingo recently attended the 8th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival to represent the Filipino film 100, which competed at the said event. They were joined by Chris Martinez who makes his directorial debut in this Cinemalaya 2008 entry about a dying woman.
The head of the international jury was no less than Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson who megged Hollywood masterpieces such as Rain Man, Bugsy and Good Morning, Vietnam. Around 15 entries competed for the top "Etoile d'Or" prize, including films from China, India, Denmark, and Ireland. 100 was not able to take home any prizes but the lead stars were able to make their mark in the international scene.
In fact, Direk Chris told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that jury president Barry praised Eugene for her excellent portrayal as Mylene's best friend. When Barry met Eugene, he reportedly told her, "I remember you! You were a very, very good friend in 100!"
After attending the awarding ceremony in Morocco, Eugene and Mylene then proceeded to Paris, France for some rest and recreation.
In this year's edition, Hollywood stars Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Yeoh wre honoured as "timeless female heroines."
Sigourney made her mark in Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi epic Alien while Michelle is best known outside of Asia for her roles in James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
During the Marrakech IFF, Eugene and Mylene took the opportunity to have their photo taken with Malaysian actress Michelle (shown above). In addition, the two female stars were also able to have their photo taken with Heather Graham who is best remebered for the comedy flick Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999).
SYNOPSIS. 100 chronicles the last three months of a cancer patient, Joyce (Mylene Dizon), who has a list of things to do before she passes away. Her list of tasks, mostly practical undertakings and closures, expands to the worldly and spiritual as she she shares her last days with her bestfriend, Ruby (Eugene Domingo), her mother (Tessie Tomas) and the people around her.
Unanimously graded "A" by the Cinema Evaluation Board, the comedy-drama 100 has endearing appeal to audience members. It presents to its audience a light, youthful and humorous take on a classic subject while never failing to tug at hearts and making the views reach for their hankies. Filled with hilarious and touching moments, 100 boasts of stunning performances from Mylene, Eugene, Tessie and the rest of its cast.
MOVIE HIGHLIGHTS. The film is shot in different locations in the Philippines and even abroad: the white-sand beaches of Bolinao, the miraculous shrine of Manaoag, the majestic Mt. Pinatubo crater and the tourist attractions of Hong Kong.
100's much talked-about scenes include a skinny dipping scene where the three actresses strip down while running to the ocean, a trip to the best sites of Hong Kong and the opening and closing scenes shot in the breath-taking crater of Mount Pinatubo.
CINEMALAYA'S BIG WINNER. 100 bagged 5 major awards in the 2008 Cinemalaya Film Festival. It won Best Director and Best Screenplay (Chris Martinez), Best Actress (Mylene Dizon), Best Supporting Actress (Eugene Domingo) and the Audience Choice Award. A genuine crowd-pleaser, the film touched the hearts of its festival audience and earned the nods of the jury composed of international and local film experts: Max Tessier of Cannes Film Festival, Ansgar Vogt of Berlin International Film Festival, Kim Ji Seok of Pusan International Film Festival, actor Cesar Montano and film critic Lito Zulueta.
AUDIENCE CHOICE IN KOREA. 100 had its international premiere in Pusan International Film Festival, competing in the main section of what is touted as the "Sundance of Asia." In just a minute of announcing its advanced ticket sales, 100's screenings in Pusan were sold out. It played to a Korean audience successfully--sobs and laughter were heard throughout its screening, pleasing more audiences in its first venture abroad. Aside from earning rave reviews from the critics, 100 was awarded the KNN Movie Award, 100's 2nd audience choice award. KNN or Korea New Network awarded the film a trophy and a US$10,000 cash prize--further proof that 100's touching story has universal appeal even among foreigners.
100 (2008)
Starring: Mylene Dizon, Eugene Domingo, Tessie Tomas, TJ Trinidad, Ryan Eigenmann, Cecile Paz
Written and directed by: Chris Martinez
Produced by: Martinez Rivera Films in association with StraightShooters Media Inc.
Released by: Star Cinema
100 will be screened in cinema houses starting this Wednesday, December 3, in SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, Glorietta, Robinsons Galleria and Robinsons Ermita.
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