Labels: allen dizon, angeli bayani, BeyondtheBox, cinemalaya, digital films, edgar o. cruz, filipino films, indie films, joselito altarejos, Mark Xander Fabillar, pink halo-halo, stir.ph
Labels: altarejos, ang laro ng buhay ni juan, BeyondtheBox, digital films, gay films, indie films, Lex Bonife, Mark Xander Fabillar, ray an dulay
Labels: BeyondtheBox, Digital Viva, Douglas Robinson, Lex Bonife, Little Boy/Big Boy, Mark Xander Fabillar, notes, Paolo Rivero, Renz Valerio
Labels: BeyondtheBox, Digital Viva, Douglas Robinson, Lex Bonife, Little Boy/Big Boy, Mark Xander Fabillar, notes, on, Paolo Rivero, Renz Valerio
A REVIEW ON PINK HALO-HALO
by: Edgar O. Cruz | STIR Editor in Chief
16 Jul 2010 | 11:03 AM
Joselito “Jay” Altarejos’ Pink Halo-Halo is the real liberated indie film at the Sixth Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. With the compelling theme of Liberating indie film, the filmfest is currently rolling and I got to watch three full-length features: Magkakapatid, Pink Halo-Halo and Sampaguita, National Flower in that order. Looking for the new indie film, I find nothing out-of-the-box with Kim Garcia and Francis Pasion’s movies. But it is Pink Halo-Halo that tries and succeeds in getting out of the indie film mold told in a gay boy’s fondness for halo-halo.
Pink Halo-Halo is independenly produced with filmmaker Altarejos as producer, writer and director. A gay film, a genre which Altarejos has been specializing almost exclusively and doing a good job at elevating the genre and perceptions about gay men, it is without a single naked man and titillating sequence. It is about Natoy confronting his sexuality as a normal boy and his developing sexuality. It does this by showing scenes such cutting a piece of paper into dolls, learning how to apply makeup, fingering a beauty product catalogue – all told as motions, no dialogue.
Subject is dark alright: the death of the boy’s soldier father in Mindanao. But it does not beat corruption, injustice, poverty, exploitation, politics – the range of subjects most dear to indie films – to a pulp. It stays a simple story of a mother and a boy coping with a soldier’s life. It is without drama, just a bunch of people going through the motions of what life brings like going to the wake of dead comrades. Or fixing the motorcycle which seems the only luxury in this soldier’s life.
It is in Tigaonon, the dialect of Ticao Island off Masbate, all throughout and uses the townpeople as actors. Lead actor is Paolo Constantino as Natoy who does not have acting background and was not drilled on the craft before shoot. Proffesional actors Allen Dizon, Dexter Doria, and Angeli Bayani do the adult parts. This is in the tradition of Vitorio De Sica’s Italian Neo-Realist films which works very well for the movie’s purpose and intent.
For once, an indie film touches on the nobility of the human spirit in time of tragedy as very well told in the dialogue-less ending sequence with the townspeople meeting the dead soldier’s casket at the wharf. It is without histrionics, just the resignations there’s no escape in the tragedy. It is even without mood shots with nature very much incorporated into the scene.
***Also published in The Daily Tribune.12.18.2009
ANG LARO NG BUHAY NI JUAN DIRECTOR'S CUT DVD
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Our film, Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan, which had a four-week theatrical run in selected theaters will be finally out in dvd starting next week, December 21 at your favorite video shops.
The film stars Ray an Dulay, Angeli Bayani, Richard Quan, Perry Escano, Nico Antonio, May-i Fabros, Ace Ricafort, Ivy Sumilang, Tony Lapena and Mark fabillar.
DVD cover designed by: Mark Xander FabillarAgain, we would like to share some reviews that the film received.
The Bakla Review:
http://thebaklareview.blog
"Co-written by Bonife, Altarejós, and Peping Salonga, Laro is subtler, but also richer, fresher, more intelligent, if also a little cooler/colder. It's a film that pulsates with the discovery of the moment. Ang Lihim ni Antonio is its closest forebear, both marked by naturally flowing existentialism, but this is probably the first time the direction and the writing complemented so effortlessly. "
Edgar Cruz, The Daily Tribune/Stir.ph:
http://www.stir.ph/LM/arti
"Altarejós attacks the scenes as dispassionately as possible. There are scenes which he could have exploited, but he cuts as soon as he establishes the scene’s purpose — the mark of a mature helmer... He proves in this movie that he's an indie filmmaker in the real sense of the term. He pushes the director's work to the extreme like what German poet Rainier Maria Rilke said is necessary to come up with a master work... Ang Lalake Sa Parola was my favorite Altarejós movie; Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan changed this!"
Loud Cloud:
http://verbosecity.blogspo
"Adept direction and a subtle script brought out the indisputable talent of Dulay into prominence. Whereas in the past Dulay’s acting aptitude glimmers but get eclipsed (because of the minority of his roles) Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan is his opportunity and he convinces us that you'll watch this movie not because of raging erections but because of hard-won talent. Even the minor casts approach their characters with precision and humanity they seem not to regurgitate a script but tossing out lines like spontaneous snippet of their daily dialogues."
Rito Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer:
http://services.inquirer.n
"Jay (Altarejos) weaves a clear and briskly paced tale. He puts his storytelling dexterity and visual flair to good use as he subtly shifts from one social commentary to another. However, the needlessly protracted dance sequence could have used some trimming."
CINEMA, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines:
http://cbcpcinema.blogspot
"Payak kung maituturing ang kuwento ng pelikula na sinundan lamang ang isang araw sa buhay ng isang taong nais magbagong-buhay. Ngunit ang kapayakang ito ang nagpahatid at naglahad ng epektibong kuwento ng mga taong ang buhay ay nakatago sa dilim. Kitang-kita ang pagkakaiba ng buhay ni Juan sa araw at gabi. Isang tipikal na kuwento ng mga taong nasadlak sa kahirapan at may hanapbuhay na hindi nila kayang ipagmalaki. Maganda at totoong-totoo ang eksenang ipinakita sa pelikula. Malinaw ang pagkakalahad ng kuwento na hitik sa simbolismo. Mahuhusay din ang mga nagsiganap na bagama't mga hindi kilala at hindi malalaking pangalan sa industriya ay nagawang magampanan ang kanilang papel nang makatotohanan. Maganda ang direksiyon ng pelikula sa kabuuan dahil na rin sa naging matapat ito sa mga katotohanan ng lipunan na bihira na lang mapansin ng karamihan."
Snakey's Confession:
http://snakeysconfessions.
"I am not a film critic but merely an avid fan but what disturbs me was that I did not just watch the film, but I was taken from my seat at the moviehouse and transported to where a lot of dreamers had been finding themselves in time and again, and what my past could have been; by sharing with me a treasured glimpse of the LARO NG BUHAY NI JUAN."
The video is distributed by Universal Records. BEYONDtheBOX would like to thank Ms. Elinor Castro, Mr. Peter Chan and Ms. Kathleen Go of Universal Records.
Please, grab a copy. Salamat.6.08.2009
BIG BOY POSTER TWICE X-ED!!!
The MTRCB, our industry's moral compass, has finally approved the 3rd study of the poster for my new film Little Boy Big Boy.
Study 3: Approved!!!These studies were not found deem for general patronage as they
"depict graphic homosexual love."
Study 1: X!!!
Study 2: X!!!I totally agree with them. A half-naked man lying on top of another half-naked man is graphic. These images connote homosexuality. And homosexuality is immoral.
Because it is so hard to explain to minors that there is this thing called homosexuality, and that two people of the same gender can fall in love. Because it is easier to explain to children why people kill and throw fists at each other. And it is far more entertaining to watch the handicapped (read: pilay, bulag, etc. ), aesthetically challenged (read: bungal, kalbo, etc.) and the racially different (read: negro, bombay, etc.) made fun of on national television.
Yes, I agree with them. We are living in the dark ages. Homosexuality has not been invented yet.5.18.2009
BIG BOY UPDATES!!!
Poster Study #2I just got the sound and music elements of my latest "baby" Little Boy BIG BOY from the Musical Scorer RICHARD GONZALES. ONAY SALES, the Editor, informed me yesterday that she finished the audio-video lock. MARK is finalizing the poster based on the new photo by FRANK HOEFSMIT and comments from Viva. Video grading and some graphics are the only ones left in the post production process of Little Boy.
The "FAMILY" in Timezone TrinomaLittle Boy , written by the young and brilliant Screenwriter LEX BONIFE,is a tale of finding happiness in every boy within us.
Lester Jacinto(Production Designer), Odie Calayag (Asst. Director) & LexI watched the rough edit and was impressed by the work done by Director of Photography ARVIN VIOLA. I think Little Boy is the most relatable of all the digital films I've done. The story might have happened to anyone- gay or otherwise. A very simple film that subtly creeps and appeals to one's emotions. And surprisingly, DOUGLAS ROBINSON, as Tim, gave a very sincere and felt portrayal of a lover who thought he was betrayed by his partner Raymond, PAOLO RIVERO.
The Goodbye Scene
Arvin & I conferring on a shotI hope the final cut, with music, sound and graphics, will live up to Mark's high expectations. I'll be waiting for you in theaters in late June 2009.
The Clan : Paolo, me, Renz, Mark & Dougs
