TNT competes in Mumbai

MANILA, Philippines - TNT Movie (Tago Nang Tago/Always on the Run) starts 2015 with a bang as it competes in the 13th Third Eye Asian Film Festival. The short film screened last Jan. 4 at the Ravindra Natya Mandir Theatre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

TNT is the only Filipino film included in the official selection of the ongoing festival. Written and directed by Roberto Reyes Ang, TNT is about the plight of an undocumented immigrant, portrayed by Perry Escaño, who is set to realize his American dream and survive in the city that never sleeps, New York.

“It’s been a very meaningful year for TNT. There have been a lot of suspense as well as twists and turns, from the project seemingly not going anywhere due to numerous delays and unexpected circumstances, to finally ending 2014 on a very high note. The film became a reality and stands where it is now because of the men and women who believed in it from the very start. We would like to thank all the people who made this film possible. This is a product of love and hard work,” says the director.

The 13th Third Eye Asian Film Festival is organized by the Asian Film Foundation of Mumbai in collaboration with the Prabhat Chitra Mandal National Film Development Corporation Limited.

Prior to competing in the festival, TNT had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Manhattan in New York, where it won the Best Ensemble Cast Award. It was showcased at the FACINE’s 21st Filipino International Film Festival in San Francisco.

Escaño says, “TNT (Always on the Run) is a story that rings true to many, as it is about a Filipino expatriate living illegally in New York City. Hopefully, this short film will make Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) become more aware of what to do and what to avoid when it comes to working abroad. It also tackles human trafficking and exploitation of laborers.”

Shooting for three straight days in several places in Queens, Manhattan, in the subway station and on Time Square, the lead actor relates, “I felt uncomfortable in the beginning. I felt pressured because I was the only professional actor on the set. I know that I shouldn’t commit any mistakes and that they expected a lot from me.”

Aside from acting, Escaño is also into film direction. He says, “Making films is my passion. I want to keep on making projects that move the audience, that make them rethink old views. There’s satisfaction in being able to share your art to the audience, and also in being able to impart something to them.”

Overture, which Escaño directed, and Tama (Deranged), which he wrote, participated as official entries during the 2011 Gawad CCP Film Festival.

Last year, he wrote and directed The Platinum Hair, a documentary on the life of the late thespian Ama Quiambao.

He is set to shoot his next film starring BJ Forbes, Maria Isabel Lopez, Dindo Arroyo, Geoff Taylor and Mark Justine Aguillon.

Asked for his thoughts on winning the Best Ensemble Acting award at the 2014 International Film Festival Manhattan: “I’m happy that the group got an award. All the actors I’ve worked with on this film are New York-based. What’s interesting is that they are not professional actors. Still, they were very focused and serious. I guess, that’s why this project turned out well.”

He adds, “An international recognition means that the global community now trusts Filipino products. That if it’s done by Filipinos, there is already that premium that it’s a good film.”