PREMIERES of ALON, DOSE, IMBURNAL, KOLORETE, MOTORCYCLE, UPCAT and YANGGAW in Metro Manila Schools By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:27:00 11/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines—In its fourth year, the digital film festival
Cinema One Originals continues to attract reputable actors to roles in
the entries.
Five of this year's seven features have mainstream stars in the lead
cast, says Ronald Arguelles, channel head and festival executive producer.
Roman Carlo Olivarez's "UPCAT" has the father-and-son tandem of
Bembol and Felix Roco.
Olivarez recalls being daunted working with veterans Mark Gil and the
elder Roco. "I was nervous and excited as hell, but I tried to act
cool." He describes Felix as "a discovery ... charismatic."
Ron Bryant is grateful to his cast, led by Mark Gil and Eula Valdes,
for remaining committed to his film "ALON," set on a secluded beach in
Sabang Point, Agno, Pangasinan.
"We shot for six days straight, at the peak of the rainy season,"
Bryant recounts. Even so, he notes, collaborating with Valdes and Gil
was "a breeze." Teen star Charee Pineda, Bryant adds, was just as
"professional, always prepared," like the vets.
Jon Red, who directed "MotorCYCLE," commends his cast, led by Jason
Abalos, Lovely Rivero, Nonie Buencamino and Shamaine Centenera.
"Everyone was cooperative and dedicated; it was no different from
their work in bigger films."
Richard Somes says he also gathered a dream team for "YANGGAW":
Ronnie Lazaro, Joel Torre and Tetchie Agbayani. "The best thing about
working with them is the element of surprise they brought to their
characters. I never knew what they would do with every take."
Ruelo Lozendo's "KOLORETE," a period drama about agrarian conflict,
boasts indie regulars Roeder Camañag, Perry Dizon, Chiqui Xerex
Burgos, Coreen Chan, Jean Judith Javier, sexy star Althea Vega and
Cinemanila Best Actress Angeli Bayani.
Says Lozendo of his cast: "They're professional, open-minded and
patient. Since most of them are from theater, they had to tone down
their acting to fit the film medium."
"Yul Servo and Emilio Garcia needed very little coaching," Senedy
Que points out— even in the five-minute final scene of "DOSE" that was
entirely wordless. "They acted only with their eyes. It's my tribute
to Ishmael Bernal."
Alessandra de Rossi, he says, accepted the role "gratis... because we
worked together in Gil Portes' `Mga Munting Tinig' (which he co-wrote
with Adolf Alix Jr)."
Also a revelation, says Que, is its titular star, 11-year-old newcomer
Fritz Arvhie Chavez. "He stood out among those we
auditioned—especially in the last tryout held in a crowded fast-food
restaurant. He ignored the people around him and simply gave his best."
Sherad Anthony Sanchez's "IMBURNAL" similarly top-bills unknown lead
actors— "real-life street children." The new film of Sanchez recently
won the top prize of the 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival.
Cinema One Originals will screen in schools:
Far Eastern University on Nov. 19 at FEU Auditorium
1pm MotorCYCLE
3:30 pm Kolorete
UP Diliman on Nov. 20 at the Cine Adarna Theater
5pm UPCAT
7pm Dose
9pm IMBURNAL (Director's Cut)
College of St. Benilde on November 24 at CSB Amphitheater
1pm KOLORETE
6pm ALON
7:30pm YANGGAW
Assumption College on November 25
1pm UPCAT
3:30pm ALON
And at IndieSine theater Robinsons Galleria mall starting December 03.
The Awards ceremony is on Nov. 28 at ABS-CBN's Dolphy Theater.
Contact Dwight Pangilinan at 0917-6040824 for block screenings.
Source:
Cinema One Originals 2008 November 28, 2008
Dolphy Theater
