Direk Yam takes a bow - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

As the film community continues to reel from the seemingly widespread public disenchantment that has sent many of its products failing at the boxoffice, industry observers are seeing the need for new blood to inject fresh ideas and fresh perspectives into the cinematic landscape dominated by a crippling predictability that has become of Filipino filmmaking.

Yam Laranas may be among the young draftsmen who might just provide some of these badly-needed fresh perspectives.

Only in his early 30s, Yam is emerging from the glossy suites of the advertising industry to make his feature film debut with Viva Films’ Balahibong Pusa, which opens in theaters everywhere in January 2001. He does so with a resume that might impress even Ridley Scott, the Hollywood filmmaker who also went from advertising to make such seminal American movies as Alien, Thelma and Louise and, most recently, Gladiator. Besides having been the eye and the mind behind the slick marketing campaigns for TV such as a diverse range of consumer products –Manilabank, Smart Buddy, Head and Shoulders, Red Bull, to name only a few–he also is the recipient of the Best Experimental Video Award from the World Video in Brussels, Belgium. He also teaches film, particularly cinematography, at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Balahibong Pusa also marks his first film after serving as cinematographer to Carlos Siguion-Reyna in Ang Lalake sa Buhay Ni Selya, and to Raymond Red in Bayani.

"Still," Yam laughs, "I was behind schedule for my feature film debut. Orson Wells (the director and star of the classic American film Citizen Kane) did his first film at 24. I’m now 32."

Of course, this is the sort of exercise in jest that could be misconstrued by his peers and other film industry types, but perhaps audacity is another quality which is sorely lacking in movie-making. Certainly, Viva Films gave Yam enough elbow room for such in his feature film directorial debut.

"I’m really fortunate because when Viva signed me up–and this is on the basis of a demo reel that I submitted to them–the only assurance that I sought was that I would be given the kind of equipment that I have been used to working with in the advertising industry. But not only was I provided with what I call my toys for creation but also was assured that I have freedom to develop and make the kinds of films I want to make."

The end result of his first effort at feature filmmaking is the provocative drama of dysfunctional relationships coming and imploding together, starring Joyce Jimenez, Jay Manalo, Rica Peralejo, Julio Diaz and Elizabeth Oropesa. Balahibong Pusa tells story of Sarah (Jimenez), the daughter of Vivian (Elizabeth Oropesa) who arrives from a vacation to discover that her mother is about to marry Michael (Julio Diaz), a car-repair shop owner who begins to lust after Sarah secretly after their introduction. On the other hand, Nick (Manalo), a mechanic employed by Michael and boyfriend of his daughter Becky (Rica Peralejo), has long nurtured special feelings for Sarah.

Yam says that he is pleased with his first effort. "I’m happy about how the movie turned out," he says. "Actually, I was supposed to do my first work for Viva last year pa but that encountered some delays, which in hindsight turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The idle time allowed me to come to Balahibong Pusa fully prepared, and I’m very pleased with the results. My cast–Elizabeth, Jay, Julio, Rica–are all terrific, and I would like to think that here I succeeded in showing that Joyce can really act."

Obviously, Viva Films might pleased itself, not only putting Balahibong Pusa in the frontline of its 2001 line-up but also renegotiating Yam’s exclusive contract to commit him to more films and more years with the movie company. That said, this craftsman of films could only be seen as one of the most exciting new directorial talents around.

"It’s really an exciting time to be in the film industry because I can see that the landscape is changing," Yam Laranas says, beaming. "You can see that in some of the movies now being put out by Viva, by GMA films, by Star Cinema. The technology now being used is different and increasingly film companies are becoming less wary perusing new talents such as myself. At another time, having come from independent films, I would have been regarded as pa-arty-arty and not given the kind of opportunity that has come my way. So I feel really fortunate to have been given a chance to prove myself as a director. Because, really, there is so much talent out there and the only thing they’re waiting for is just that–an opportunity."

Well, the public’s opportunity to discover Yam Laranas’ directorial gifts comes on January 2001, when Balahibong Pusa opens in Metro Manila theaters.