New challenge for Arnold

MANILA, Philippines - Known as The Independent Actor, Arnold Reyes (photo) won Best Supporting Actor at the 2009 Cinemalaya Cinco for the film Astig for his powerful portrayal of stillness and stoicism amidst the ghosts of his past and the chaos of street life in Manila, even as it is brought to a tragic breaking point.

In this year’s Cinemalaya, he takes on his first horror-suspense film, The Leaving. Set during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival , Arnold plays William, a Tsinoy businessman unhappily married to Grace (LJ Reyes), a typical conservative Filipina-Chinese housewife. Out of rebellion to their fixed marriage, he begins an affair with Joan, (LJ Moreno), a charming and independent woman with whom he finds passion and a connection he never had with his wife. Things go smoothly until Joan decides to leave. William is faced with a decision from which there is no turning back.

Alwyn Uytingco joins the cast as Martin, a Tsinoy struggling to make an independent living.

Arnold had a unique challenge in portraying William. “It was my first time to do a horror-suspense film, and my character here is very different from my previous Cinemalaya role as Ronald. As Ronald, I was most of the time quiet and helpless about my situation, but William is the complete opposite. He is impulsive, he is a control-freak, and he hates it when things don’t go his way. Finding myself playing almost antithetic characters, I knew that I had to push myself further in exploring the role of William. As an actor, I felt that it was my obligation to my craft to do so. Each time I approach a role, no matter how small, I study and do my homework. I did it for Ronald in Astig, and now, for William. I do it for all my films, and each time, I tell myself to take it one notch higher. I feel very lucky that I have this opportunity to improve on my craft, learning more with each project, and being able to share this with my fellow actors and my directors.”

The Leaving, directed by Ian Loreños, is one of the finalists in the Full-Length Category in Cinemalaya 2010. The Gala Premiere is on July 13, 6:15 p.m. at CCP Main Theater. Regular screenings are ongoing until July 17.

For details, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or the CCP Box Office 832-1125 local 1405-06.