Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?

Missed any queer indie movies lately? If you’re like me and have not seen “must-watch” indie films of late, then this is your chance to catch up!  The Philippine Independent Filmmakers Cooperative (IFC), in cooperation with Robinsons Movieworld, is mounting the Queer Lovefest –  a queer love film festival.

The festival runs from February 17 to February 23.  Independent queer films to be showcased include  ”Daybreak” (Adolfo Alix Jr.),  ”Ang Laro sa Buhay ni Juan” (Jay Altarejos), “The Thank You Girls” (Bebs Gohetia),  ”Heavenly Touch” and “Walang Kawala” (Joel Lamangan), “Rome and Juliet” (Connie Macatuno), “Boylets” and “Quicktrip” (Cris Pablo), “Dose” (Senedy Que) and “Boy” (Auraeus Solito).

Screening Schedule: Read the rest of this entry »

What do you get when you have male models lost and bored on an island after a plane crash?

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“If you become the Mutya ng Ikatlong Lahi 2009, why is your skin color dark?”

Familiar?  If you’re thinking “The Thank You Girls” then you, my friend, are not a “thank you girl!” Yes, the indie film that broke the stigma of gay films as raunchy and borderline porn is back!  So here’s one thousand pesos, one thousand pesos, one thousand pesos, Congratulations!

If you were not able to catch the run of “The Thank You Girls” last year, then this is your chance to join five dysfunctional gay beauty pageant veterans in their quest to conquer the grandest competition of beauty, personality and brains!

If God knows, God knows!

“The Thank You Girls” will be shown at the Cinemalaya 2009 Film Festival on July 18, 2009 (Saturday) at 9:00 PM at the CCP Silangan Hall.  So what are you waiting for? Tara na!

Question: Another question for you Ms. Adora Gracia. For you, define darkness.

Answer: Well, that is a very enlightening question indeed. And if I were to define darkness, it’s sitting right beside me.

The Thank You Girls, written and directed by Charliebebs Gohetia and is Produced by Brooklyn Park Pictures in cooperation with Bicycle Picutres and Alchemy of Vision and Lights. Visit the official website here:  The Thank You Girls and the director’s blog here: Mga Konsepto ng Bagay-Bagay Bilang Tao.

"MANILA," directed by prize-winning directors Adolfo Alix Jr. and Raya Martin, will open the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition on July 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).
This will be the film’s Philippine premiere after its successful screenings in the 62nd Festival de Cannes and the 31st Moscow International Film Festival.

Actor Piolo Pascual co-produced and stars in this film that pays tribute to great Filipino directors Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.

Manila boasts of a powerful cast—a mix of some of the country’s best actors including Rosanna Roces, Jay Manalo, Alessandra de Rossi, Baron Geisler, Iza Calzado, Angelica Panganiban, Jiro Manio, William Martinez, Anita Linda, Marissa Delgado, Menggie Cobarrubias, John Lapus, Katherine Luna, Aleck Bovick and Jon Avila. The film’ screenplay was written by Ramon Sarmiento and Alix, who opened last year’s Cinemalaya with Adela. Alix’s first film, Donsol, and Kadin were both past Cinemalaya finalists. Raya Martin, whose other film Independencia was also screened in this year’s Cannes Film festival, is also honored as one of the 13 Artists of the CCP.

View the trailer below:

More film details:

OPENS JULY 22 IN SELECTED THEATERS:
SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Fairview, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Galleria, Gateway, Trinoma, Glorietta 4, Sta. Lucia, SM Davao, SM Cebu, SM Pampanga, SM Taytay

Released by Star Cinema

Official Selection, Festival de Cannes 2009; Official Selection, Moscow International Film Festival 2009; Opening Film, Cinemalaya V

Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Raya Martin Synopsis: Piolo Pascual portrays two characters in a split day/night story that exposes the seedy underbelly of the city as he grapples with the darkness around him.

A MJM Production and Bicycle Pictures production Written by Ramon Sarmiento and Adolfo Alix, Jr.
Executive Producers: Piolo Jose Pascual and Edgar Mangahas
Producer: Arleen Cuevas 

Associate Line Producer: Maxie Evangelista III

Director of Photography: Albert Banzon

Production Designer: Digo Ricio
Editors: Jay Halili and Aleks Castaneda
Music: Radioactive Sago Project
Sound Design: Ditoy Aguila

Cast: Piolo Pascual, Rosanna Roces, Jay Manalo, Alessandra de Rossi, Baron Geisler, Iza Calzado, Angelica Panganiban, Jiro Manio, William Martinez, Anita Linda, Marissa Delgado, Menggie Cobarrubias, John Lapus, Katherine Luna, Aleck Bovick, Jon Avila

The film many have been waiting for is here!

Raquela is a transsexual – or ladyboy – from the Philippines who dreams of escaping the streets of Cebu City for a fairy tale life in Paris. In order to make her dreams come true, she turns from prostitution toward the more lucrative business of Internet porn. Her success as a porn star brings new friends, including Valerie, a
ladyboy in Iceland, and Michael, the owner of the website Raquela works for. Valerie helps Raquela get as far as Iceland. From there, Michael offers her a rendezvous in Paris. Will Paris be everything she dreamed of? And will Michael turn out to be her Prince Charming?

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela stars Read the rest of this entry »

(from Adolf Alix Jr.)

AURORA
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Help us fight the battle against unjust censorship!  AURORA has been slapped twice by the MTRCB with an “X” rating. We’re appealing the decision to Malacanang.

Cast:
Rosanna Roces, Sid Lucero, Kristofer King,
Angeli Bayani

Synopsis: Read the rest of this entry »

Missed out on some of the gay films this year?  Well fret not for the UP Film Institute is holding a series of special screenings this semestral break!

Fresh from a slew of international prizes and added festival engagement, Brillante Mendoza’s Serbis continues its maximum extensive run.

A countdown-to-Halloween special billed “Beatitudes for the Dead” hallmarks Aloy Adlawan’s Signos to alternate with Neal Buboy Tan’s Ataul for Rent.

Taking turns for a special full run are such prime titles as Paupahan, Vhagetz; Tiltil; Sun Kissed, Gay Sex in the 70s; Project X; Eskandalo.

Forming a special of its own is a selection of Jowee Morel full-length features, namely, Ec2luv (2005); Mga Paru-parong Rosas (2006); When a Gay Man Loves (2007); Latak (2008) and Moving Dreams (2008).

The last join the rest of the premiering productions within the given screening period: Jigz Recto’s Tutok; Joel Lamangan’s Walang Kawala; Roni Bertubin’s Kurap.

Check out the schedules here: UP Film Institute on Multiply.

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• Joel Lamangan’s Walang Kawala (No Way Out)
• The Gayest Film Festival of All

A fisherman, his sex-starved wife, the fisherman’s lover and then more. Walang Kawala (No Way Out) by acclaimed film director Joel Lamangan, explores the dynamics of a hetero-homo love affair that evolves from innocence to violent complications.

Joel Lamangan’s first indie film is a story about a fisherman named Joaquin (played by Polo Ravales) and his young, impulsive lover, Waldo (played by Joseph Bitangcol).  The typical formula of a gay affair gone bad and mad in local indie films may appear to be the central theme of this film, but the trailer promises more than just that.  Joaquin’s wife, Cynthia (played by newcomer Althea Vega) comes home from her overseas job with open arms and open legs — ready to conceive an offspring — inevatibly forcing Joaquin to confront his sexuality.

Disgusted and hurt over the recent turn of events, Waldo decides to flee and ends up entangled in the gay underworld of Manila. Waldo is caught in a twisted web of events as he gets involved in a dangerous flirtation with a bisexual cop named Rufo (played by Emilio Garcia). Joaquin finds out all about these and more after leaving his wife to search for Waldo. More twists and turns in the storyline lead Joaquin into Rufo’s house where he, like Waldo, eventually becomes prisoner and sex slave to Rufo. Joaquin and Waldo get reunited, but both discover that they are about to be sold to an international sex traffic ring. With the help of Rufo’s battered wife Beng (played by Jean Garcia), the two lovers plot their escape from Rufo’s house.

Will they be able to escape and live a good life together?  Or will this storyline end up tragically like other gay-themed indie films?

Watch the trailer after the jump (NSFW)

Jump! Read the rest of this entry »