APT Entertainment Inc. joins forces with
the Directors' Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI) to create a remarkable
project that will help showcase the talent and artistry in the Philippine film industry: the Sine Direk Series.
Sine Direk is composed of six (6) feature-length films directed by some of the
leading luminaries of the silver screen. It is the first time for both DGPI and
APT to launch a movie series like Sine Direk.
This ambitious project was
formally launched via a grand event last Friday, April 24, at the Teatrino in
Greenhills, San Juan. In his introductory speech, Mike Tuviera (chief executive
officer of APT Entertainment) recalled the humble beginnings of Sine Direk.
"About one year ago, we had a dream of producing six wonderful movies that
people would come to enjoy and it would be our way of giving back to the
industry that has been very, very good to us. DGPI approached us and humingi
sila ng tulong, ‘would you like to produce six movies with respected
directors?' Isa lang ang response namin: kaba, takot. How can we produce
six movies at the same time? How will we market them? But ang nangibabaw sa amin
was excitement," said Mike, the son of APT head Tony Tuviera.
He continued: "The primary motive of Sine Direk film series was never profit.
It was never a competition, it was never for fame or glory--it was really for
charity. A lot of the profits will go to the scholarship fund of the
Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino or NMPP."
To date, the NMPP has already chosen the 17 students (originally 10) who would
be given scholarships starting this school year.
Sine Direk actually started with a meticulous selection of scripts submitted by
DGPI members. Six (6) of these scripts were selected by a screening committee
composed of respected people in the movie industry. The selected scripts were
greenlit for production, each helmed by esteemed directors in the industry.
The six directors and their
respective films are: Joel Lamangan (Fuschia), Soxie Topacio (Ded na
si Lolo), Lore Reyes (Litsonero), Peque Gallaga (Agaton and Mindy),
Mel Chionglo (Bente) and Maryo J. Delos Reyes (Kamoteng Kahoy).
For years, these six directors have proven their unquestionable talents in the
art of cinema. As they have contributed quality films and quality entertainment
for Filipinos around the world, they are truly masters of their craft.
Fuschiais about three senior citizens (played by Gloria
Romero, Eddie Garcia, and Robert Arevalo) who stay under one roof even though
townsfolk consider it to be a big scandal. Mameng (Gloria) learns about a much
bigger scandal in their town involving their mayor and she eventually works up
the courage to expose him through her own fabulous way.
Ded na si Lolohighlights the superstitions that Filipinos
hold when it comes to death. Through the eyes of a young boy (played by BJ
Forbes), moviegoers will also see the economics involved in burying our beloved
dead.
Paolo Contis will play the title role in Litsonero. As a
chef working in Macau, Fidel (Paolo) is taunted for forgetting his roots. He
defends his honor by engaging in a bet with his Tiyo Pinoy (played by Michael
de Mesa). Fidel must cook the best lechon or else face the consequences.
Agaton and Mindy is a coming-of-age story about two 15-year-old
dance scholars. Their love story begins when they meet in a dance class handled
by Tanya Dolokhov (played by Cherie Gil), who encourages her students to tap
into their wild sides for inspiration.
Is a human life just worth twenty pesos? That is what the film Bente will
attempt to explore. Moviegoers will be treated to parallel stories of a
hard-hitting radio commentator (played by Senator Jinggoy Estrada) and a
student-activist (played by Aldred Gatchalian). Their lives will intersect as a
former military man (played by Richard Gomez) hunts them both down, leading to
a climax of murder and mayhem.
Based on the tragedy that took place in Bohol in 2005, Kamoteng Kahoy tells
the tale of the young children who survived the widespread poisoning caused by
pesticide-laced maruya (banana fritters). The film also tackles the fate
of the old woman vendor (played by Gloria Romero) who is blamed for cooking the
poisoned food.
Sine Direk not only aims to
showcase artistic talent, it also aspires to be a fundraising effort for
goodwill. The proceeds will be given to the scholarship program of the DGPI,
which helps underprivileged children go through school. To this end, many
if not most of the talents involved in each of the projects worked for a
fraction of their usual talent fees. Some even worked for free. All efforts
have been made to try to raise as much funds for this good cause.
Sine Direk is a way for both APT Entertainment and the DGPI to give back
to an industry that has created and showcased our dreams and stories.
Here are the schedules of screenings for each entry:
April 29, 2009 Fuschia directed by Joel
Lamangan
May 6, 2009 Ded na si Lolo directed by
Soxie Topacio
May 20, 2009 Litsonero directed by Lore
Reyes
May 27, 2009 Agaton and Mindy directed by
Peque Gallaga
June 3, 2009 Bente directed by Mel
Chionglo
June 10, 2009 Kamoteng Kahoy directed by
Maryo J. delos Reyes
According to publicity head Noel Ferrer, they deliberately chose not to have a
screening during the second week of May so their schedule would not clash with
the Star Cinema film BFF (Best Friends Forever) starring Sharon Cuneta
and Ai-Ai delas Alas. This comedy film about two close friends will open in
cinemas nationwide starting May 13, 2009.
The six films of Sine Direk will be screened at the
following SM cinemas: Mall of Asia, Megamall, North EDSA, Fairview, and Bacoor.