indie

There a lot of gay independent films coming out (pun intended) and I can’t wait to watch them all. I am so thrilled that a lot of independent films nowadays are gay-themed. It just shows how accepting and tolerating our moviegoers have become. Or is it because a lot of moviegoers are gay themselves? Siguro. Malay ko. The following are the indie films that I watched (all are gay-themed except ENDO and PISAY). I ranked them from my least favorite to the best film.

6. I decided to watch Jun Lana’s 'ROXXXANNE' at Robinson’s Galleria. Its run ended on Tuesday, February 12.



Synopsis from PDI’s website:

Lead actor Jay Aquitania is Marlon, a handsome but closeted gay student who collects cell-phone porn videos to impress his friends—especially pedicab driver, Jonas (Janvier Daily), to whom he’s attracted.

Then, the sexually confused protagonist’s pastime takes a deadly turn: In his search for the ultimate sex video, he consequently ends up creating a scandal involving one of his mother’s boarders, the mysterious Roxanne (Sheree)—that leads to unspeakable tragedy!

Here is a video clip wherein Jonas asks Marlon about his sex life. The latter tries to avoid the question so that Jonas wouldn’t find out about his sexuality and his attraction for him:



My review:

*Great directing from Jun Lana.
*The actors were brilliant.
*Sheree was beautiful in every scene. Ngayon ko lang napansin na maganda pala siya.
*Janvier daily was good considering it was his first time acting.
*Jay Aquitania surprised me the most. He was perfect for the role. His acting was very engaging. You could really relate to his character especially if you’re a closeted gay man. Hindi siya gwapo sa unang tingin pero may appeal naman siya. He carried the film really well as the lead actor.
*I didn’t expect it to be funny. There were some hilarious lines delivered by Elizabeth Oropesa (Jay’s mom).
*There wasn’t any nudity or exposure in the film which was very disappointing. I’m not saying that I watched the movie just for THAT pero manonood ka na nga lang ng R18, sana may pinakita man lang. Kahit boobs man lang ni Sheree wala (hindi ko naman talaga inaabangan ang boobs nya pero wala lang, for exposure’s sake sana).
*Sa UST nag-aaral yung character ni Jay. Sharing.
*The sound wasn’t good. Parang may echo. Ang labo tuloy minsan ng ibang dialogues.
*Sobrang bitin nung film. The last scene shows Janvier whispering something to Jay. Hindi man pinaalam sa audience kung ano yung binulong niya. Nakaka-grrr!

5. Next is ‘ENDO’. I wached it at SM Manila. Nung first showing pa!



The synopsis is from imdb:

Leo's life is a series of terminable contracts. Unable to finish school and forced to be the family breadwinner, he takes on five month service-oriented jobs, one after another. Will his love affair with the spirited dreamer Tanya finally give him a taste of security and permanence?

Here is the trailer:



My review:

*This was very different. Most indie films are slow-paced and dragging but this one had a normal pace. Hindi ka maiinip.
*Ina Feleo stole every scene she was in. Sobrang ganda niya! Simple pero may dating.
*Jason Abalos was perfectly cast as the lead actor. Hindi siya na-stuck sa mediocre acting ng iba niyang Star Circle Quest’s batchmates.
*The ending was satisfying. Tamang-tama lang.
*Simple love story. Extraordinary film.

4. I watched ‘SELDA’ last February 16. It stars Sid Lucero, Emilio Garcia and Ara Mina.



Synopsis from imdb:

Set in two contrasting enivronments that undeline the same premise of imprisonment, Selda tells the story of Rommel (Sid Lucero), a young man who accidentally kills a boy, resulting in his incarceration. Inside the jail, he befriends another inmate, Esteban (Emilio), who becomes his rock and protector. Seven years later, Rommel is living in the province as a farmer together with Sita (Ara Mina) his wife. Esteban tracks down Rommel in hopes of renewing a brewing love affair. Rommel and Sita welcome Esteban into their lives, until their intimacy crosses borderlines and results in the undeniable scourge of self-discovery.

Trailer:



My review:

*Unexpected ending. Nakakagulat! Everyone in the theater gasped at what happened.
*Great Cinematography. Ganda ng kulay. Astig nung ibang mga shots.
*It’s an epic…meaning sobrang haba. 2 hours and 20 minutes. But the thing is, it’s not dragging. I agree though with some of the critics that it’s like two separate movies in one.
*The best performance of Sid Lucero. Ang galing-galing niya talaga!
*Great support from Ara Mina and Emilio Garcia.
*Soliman Cruz had the best lines.
*But then, Allan Paule had the most memorable line: “Lalaki ka, lalaki ako. Nagkatikiman tayo. Ganu’n lang yon.” Nakakatawa pa kasi nakita ko siya the next day. Taga-dito lang ata samin yun eh.
*The sexual abuse scene was heartbreaking. Grabe, nakakaawa si Rommel (Sid).
*Medyo nakulangan ako sa kissing scene ni Sid at Emilio pero na-compensate naman ng butt exposure ni Sid. Ahahaha!
*Andaming nanonood, in fairness!

3. The next film I saw was ‘DAYBREAK’. It had a 2-day initial screening at the UP Cine Adarna last February 13 and 14. I watched this with my very good friend, Margee, who is also a film enthusiast like me. Sobrang saya! The movie will have its regular run at Robinson’s Galleria on February 20-26.



Here is the synopsis from bebsims.wordpress.com:

“DAYBREAK” happens entirely in one place: a rest house in Taal, Batangas and only with two characters. In a single narrative time, intending by way of voyeurism, we discover what happens to two men spending one night contemplating whether to break up or continue their relationship. William and JP allow us to know their biggest lies and the biggest truths… two people loving each other, clinging to each other, betraying each other — trying the fragility of their feelings in only one night.

Memories and dreams, truths and lies, fears and desires, betrayal and honesty, love and hate are all closely entwined in this night.

Behind the veil of words, they are drawn to each other but will the light of the sunrise bring this intimacy to an end?

Here is the full trailer:




My review:

*I’m a bit biased with this review. Alam ko na kasi na magugustuhan ko itong film kahit hindi ko pa napapanood. Sobrang ganda kasi ng story at trailer pa lang, alam ko nang maganda. I was so excited to watch it.
*Hindi ko nasimulan kaya baka panoorin ko ito ulit sa Galleria.
*I loved it so much. It was all I expected and more. (I know Margee will disagree with me on this).
*I really like the acting (Margee disagrees once again). I like the way they looked at each other. Sobrang sincere at intense.
*I love the ‘lovemaking scenes’. Passionate talaga lalo na yung mga make-out parts. Gigil na gigil sila. Grabe, parang duduguin yung mga labi! You would really believe that they were lovers. I also got to see Coco’s and Paolo’s butts. I liked Coco’s better, they were perky. Ahahah!
*The cinematography was very commendable. Tagaytay never looked this good!
*The music was catchy especially the song played while the two guys were slow dancing.
*Astig pa kasi yung credits pinakita sa kalagitnaan nung film.
*The only bad thing about this movie is that it’s too short. One hour lang ata. Nakakabitin! I wanted more.
*I saw the director himself, Adolf Alix, Jr. pero medyo nahiya ako magpa-picture. Ini-interview pa kasi siya eh.

2. I watched ‘ANG LIHIM NI ANTONIO’ at Robinson’s Galleria. As usual! Gusto ko talaga ‘to panoorin kasi friend ni Cookai ang bida dito, si Kenji Garcia.



Synopsis:

Antonio (Kenji Garcia) is a curious fifteen-year-old boy who is beginning to come to terms with his own sexuality. Although his straight best friend, Mike (Jiro Manio), has been supportive of his coming out, his first sexual conquest has led to the destruction of his friendship with his other best buddy, Nathan.
Antonio’s exploration of his identity unfolds as his family begins to break up. His altruistic mother, Tere (Shamaine Buencamino) is in complete denial that his father has already abandoned them.
A shocking tragedy begins to spiral up as Antonio meets his hedonistic uncle Jonbert (Josh Ivan Morales), who becomes the boy’s sexual obsession.

Trailer:


My review:
*Sa una talaga, feeling ko walang kwenta yung film. Baka kasi another gay and daring film lang ito na in-exploit lamang ang mga actors. Pero hindi.
*Sensible storyline. Maganda ang pag-weave ng plot.
*Shamaine Buencamino was perfect as the mother especially the last scene wherein Kenji helped her to take a bath.
*Jiro Manio was the comic relief. Pwede pala siya mag-comedy. Josh Ivan Morales was also good as the abusive uncle.
*Pero ang pinakamagaling talaga sa lahat ay si Kenji. Hindi ako biased dito. Talagang magaling siya. Sobrang natural yung acting niya lalo na dun sa last dining room scene with his uncle. Nakakaawa siya! Ramdam na ramdam ko yung sakit. Huhuhu!
*Magulo nga lang yung camera. Mostly handheld kaya medyo lumilingon ako sa ibang lugar kasi nakakahilo.
*Tama lang yung sex scenes. May frontal sina Kenji at Josh pero hindi naman bastos yung kinalabasan.
*Mas maraming nanood nito kaysa sa 'Selda'. Puno ang theater.

1. Last but not the least is ‘PISAY’.



Synopsis:

‘Pisay’ relates the stories of eight Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students during the volatile 1980s when the Philippines was in its greatest moment in history- as the Marcos Dictatorship is ousted by the 1986 People Power Revolution to Cory Aquino's New Government- as they come of age in a time filled with excitement, conflict and change.

Trailer:



My review:

*One of the best indie films I’ve ever seen.
*Lahat ng actors especially the young ones were magnificent.
*Eugene Domingo gave the best performance especially the part when she was reminiscing the brutality of Martial Law.
*Astig ng costumes! Pang-80’s talaga.
*Andamig funny parts! Lalo na kapag nagre-report sila. Sobrang career! With matching props pa!
*I don’t cry watching movies but this one nearly made me.
*The best part was the graduation scene. Huhuhu!
*Bittersweet ending.
*Showing pa ito guys sa ibang sm cinemas. Panoorin niyo!

Random Notes:

*Nakakalungkot nga lang kasi yung mga gay films dito puro sad ending. Don’t we deserve to have a happy one for once?!?
*Instructional vid today. Good Luck!
*Member na ko ng Video City. Ahahah! Fonny.
*Please watch ‘Daybreak’ and ‘Ang Lihim ni Antonio’ at Robinson’s Galleria. Showing pa hanggang Tuesday! Pati yung 'Pisay' sa ibang SM Cinemas naman.
*Lapit na bakasyon! Wuhooo! Dami nga lang school work.
*Kelangan bumawi sa Philo. Waaaaah!